V The destruction of Jerusalem, represented by a sign, the cutting and burning and scattering of hair, ver. 1-4. Sin, the cause of this destruction, ver. 5-7. Wrath, misery and ruin threatened, ver. 8-15.
Verse 1. Take - Thus foretel the mourning, reproach, and deformity that are coming, for all this is signified by shaving the head and beard.
Verse 2. A third part - Described on the tile, chap. iv, 1, a type of what should be done in Jerusalem. The days - When the three hundred and ninety days of thy lying against the portrayed city shall be ended. With a knife - To signify them that fall by the sword. Scatter - To typify them that fell to the Chaldeans, or fled to Egypt, or other countries.
Verse 3. Take - Of the last third. Bind - As men tied up in the skirt of their garment what they would not lose: to signify the small remnant.
Verse 4. Of them - Out of that little remnant. In the fire - For their sin against God, their discontents at their state, and conspiracies against their governor, another fire shall break out which shall devour the most, and be near consuming all the houses of Israel.
Verse 5. This is Jerusalem - This portrayed city, is typically Jerusalem. The midst - Jerusalem was set in the midst of the nations, to be as the heart in the body, to invigourate the dead world with a divine life, as well as to enlighten the dark world with a divine light.
Verse 6. More - More than the heathen.
Verse 7. Multiplied - In idols, superstitions, and wickedness. Neither - You have exceeded them in superstition and idolatry, and fallen short of them in moral virtues.
Verse 9. Not done - Though the old world perished by water, and Sodom by fire, yet neither one or other was so lingering a death.
Verse 10. Scatter - This was verified when they were fetched away, who were left at the departure of the besiegers, and when the very small remnant with Johanan fled into Egypt.
Verse 11. Sanctuary - My temple. Detestable things - Thy idols.
Verse 13. Comforted - In executing my vengeance. In my zeal - For my own glory.
Verse 15. Taunt - A very proverb among them. Instruction - Sinners shall learn by thy miseries, what they may expect from me.
