The land of Zebulun] Zebulun, Naphtali, Manasseh, that is, the country of Galilee all round the sea of Gennesareth, were the parts that principally suffered in the first Assyrian invasion under Tiglath-pileser; see 2 Kings xv. 29; 1 Chron. v. 26. And they were the first that enjoyed the blessings of Christ's preaching the Gospel, and exhibiting his miraculous works among them. See Mede's Works, p. 101, and 457. This, which makes the twenty-third verse of chap. viii. in the Hebrew, is the first verse in ver. in our authorized version. Bishop Lowth follows the division in the Hebrew.

Is. 9:1-7 The Syrians and Assyrians first ravaged the countries her mentioned, and that region was first favoured by the preaching of Christ. Those that want the gospel, walk in darkness, and in the utmos danger. But when the gospel comes to any place, to any soul, ligh comes. Let us earnestly pray that it may shine into our hearts, an make us wise unto salvation. The gospel brings joy with it. Those wh would have joy, must expect to go through hard work, as the husbandman before he has the joy of harvest; and hard conflict, as the soldier before he divides the spoil. The Jews were delivered from the yoke of many oppressors; this was a shadow of the believer's deliverance from the yoke of Satan. The cleansing the souls of believers from the powe and pollution of sin, would be by the influence of the Holy Spirit, a purifying fire. These great things for the church, shall be done by the Messiah, Emmanuel. The Child is born; it was certain; and the church before Christ came in the flesh, benefitted by his undertaking. It is prophecy of him and of his kingdom, which those that waited for the Consolation of Israel read with pleasure. This Child was born for the benefit of us men, of us sinners, of all believers, from the beginnin to the end of the world. Justly is he called Wonderful, for he is bot God and man. His love is the wonder of angels and glorified saints. He is the Counsellor, for he knew the counsels of God from eternity; an he gives counsel to men, in which he consults our welfare. He is the Wonderful Counsellor; none teaches like him. He is God, the mighty One Such is the work of the Mediator, that no less power than that of the mighty God could bring it to pass. He is God, one with the Father. A the Prince of Peace, he reconciles us to God; he is the Giver of peac in the heart and conscience; and when his kingdom is fully established men shall learn war no more. The government shall be upon him; he shal bear the burden of it. Glorious things are spoken of Christ' government. There is no end to the increase of its peace, for the happiness of its subjects shall last for ever. The exact agreement of this prophecy with the doctrine of the New Testament, shows that Jewis prophets and Christian teachers had the same view of the person an salvation of the Messiah. To what earthly king or kingdom can thes words apply? Give then, O Lord, to thy people to know thee by ever endearing name, and in every glorious character. Give increase of grac in every heart of thy redeemed upon earth.

Is. 9:8-21 Those are ripening apace for ruin, whose hearts ar unhumbled under humbling providences. For that which God designs, i smiting us, is, to turn us to himself; and if this point be not gaine by lesser judgments, greater may be expected. The leaders of the people misled them. We have reason to be afraid of those that speak well of us, when we do ill. Wickedness was universal, all were infected with it. They shall be in trouble, and see no way out; and when men's way displease the Lord, he makes even their friends to be at war with them God would take away those they thought to have help from. Their ruler were the head. Their false prophets were the tail and the rush, the most despicable. In these civil contests, men preyed on near relation who were as their own flesh. The people turn not to Him who smite them, therefore he continues to smite: for when God judges, he wil overcome; and the proudest, stoutest sinner shall either bend or break __________________________________________________________________

Original Hebrew