Part 496 (2/2)
65:16. In which he that is blessed upon the earth, shall be blessed in G.o.d, amen: and he that sweareth in the earth, shall swear by G.o.d, amen: because the former distresses are forgotten, and because they are hid from my eyes.
65:17. For behold I create new heavens, and a new earth: and the former things shall not be in remembrance, and they shall not come upon the heart.
65:18. But you shall be glad and rejoice for ever in these things, which I create: for behold I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and the people thereof joy.
65:19. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people, and the voice of weeping shall no more be heard in her, nor the voice of crying.
65:20. There shall no more be an infant of days there, nor an old man that shall not fill up his days: for the child shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner being a hundred years old shall be accursed.
65:21. And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruits of them.
65:22. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of my people, and the works of their hands shall be of long continuance.
65:23. My elect shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth in trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their posterity with them.
65:24. And it shall come to pa.s.s, that before they call, I will hear; as they are yet speaking, I will hear.
65:25. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together; the lion and the ox shall eat straw; and dust shall be the serpent's food: they shall not hurt nor kill in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord.
Isaias Chapter 66
More of the reprobation of the Jews, and of the call of the Gentiles.
66:1. Thus saith the Lord: Heaven is my throne, and the earth my footstool: what is this house that you will build to me? and what is this place of my rest?
What is this house, etc... This is a prophecy that the temple should be cast off.
66:2. My hand made all these things, and all these things were made, saith the Lord. But to whom shall I have respect, but to him that is poor and little, and of a contrite spirit, and that trembleth at my words?
66:3. He that sacrificeth an ox, is as if he slew a man: he that killeth a sheep in sacrifice, as if he should brain a dog: he that offereth an oblation, as if he should offer swine's blood; he that remembereth incense, as if he should bless an idol. All these things have they chosen in their ways, and their soul is delighted in their abominations.
He that sacrificeth an ox, etc... This is a prophecy that the sacrifices which were offered in the old law should be abolished in the new; and that the offering of them should be a crime.-Ibid. Remembereth incense... Viz., to offer it in the way of a sacrifice.
66:4. Wherefore I also will choose their mockeries, and will bring upon them the things they feared: because I called, and there was none that would answer; I have spoken, and they heard not; and they have done evil in my eyes, and have chosen the things that displease me.
I will choose their mockeries... I will turn their mockeries upon themselves; and will cause them to be mocked by their enemies.
66:5. Hear the word of the Lord, you that tremble at his word: Your brethren that hate you, and cast you out for my name's sake, have said: Let the Lord be glorified, and we shall see in your joy: but they shall be confounded.
66:6. A voice of the people from the city, a voice from the temple, the voice of the Lord that rendereth recompense to his enemies.
66:7. Before she was in labour, she brought forth; before her time came to be delivered, she brought forth a man child.
Before she was in labour, etc... This relates to the conversion of the Gentiles, who were born, as it were, all on a sudden to the church of G.o.d.
66:8. Who hath ever heard such a thing? and who hath seen the like to this? shall the earth bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be brought forth at once, because Sion hath been in labour, and hath brought forth her children?
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