For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.
Porque Tofet está diputada desde ayer para el rey de Babilonia , también está aparejada; la cual ahondó y ensanchó su hoguera de fuego, y mucha leña. El soplo del SEÑOR, como arroyo de azufre, que la encienda.
Verse 33. For Tophet is ordained] Tophet is a valley very near to Jerusalem, to the southeast, called also the valley of Hinnom or Gehenna; where the Canaanites, and afterwards the Israelites, sacrificed their children, by making them pass through the fire, that is, by burning them in the fire, to Molech, as some suppose. It is therefore used for a place of punishment by fire; and by our blessed saviour in the Gospel for hell-fire, as the Jews themselves had applied it. See Chald. on chap. xxxiii. 14, where µl[ ydqwm mokedey olam is rendered "the Gehenna of everlastingfire. " Here the place where the Assyrian army was destroyed is called Tophet by a metonymy; for the Assyrian army was destroyed probably at a greater distance from Jerusalem, and quite on the opposite side of it: for Nob is mentioned as the last station, from which the king of Assyria should threaten Jerusalem, chap. x. 32, where the prophet seems to have given a very exact chorographical description of his march in order to attack the city; which however he never reached. - L.
Matthew Henry Commentary The Jews reproved for seeking aid from Egypt. (Is. 30:1-7) Judgement in consequence of their contempt of God's word. (Is. 30:8-18) God' mercies to his church. (Is. 30:19-26) The ruin of the Assyrian army and of all God's enemies. (Is. 30:27-33)
Is. 30:1-7 It was often the fault and folly of the Jews, that when troubled by their neighbours on one side, they sought for succour from others, instead of looking up to God. Nor can we avoid the dreadfu consequences of adding sin to sin, but by making the righteousness of Christ our refuge, and seeking for the sanctification of the Holy Spirit. Men have always been prone to lean to their own understandings but this will end in their shame and misery. They would not trust in God. They took much pains to gain the Egyptians. The riches so spen turned to a bad account. See what dangers men run into who forsakeGod to follow their carnal confidences. The Creator is the Rock of ages the creature a broken reed; we cannot expect too little from man, or too much from God. Our strength is to sit still, in humble dependenc upon God and his goodness, and quiet submission to his will.
Is. 30:8-18 The Jews were the only professing people God then had in the world, yet many among them were rebellious. They had the light, but they loveddarkness rather. The prophets checked them in their sinfu pursuits, so that they could not proceed without fear; this they too amiss. But faithfulministers will not be driven from seeking to awakesinners. God is the Holy One of Israel, and so they shall find him They did not like to hear of his holy commandments and his hatred of sin; they desired that they might no more be reminded of these things But as they despised the word of God, their sins undermined their safety. Their state would be dashed in pieces like a potter's vessel Let us return from our evil ways, and settle in the way of duty; tha is the way to be saved. Would we be strengthened, it must be in quietness and in confidence, keeping peace in our own minds, an relying upon God. They think themselves wiser than God; but the projec by which they thought to save themselves was their ruin. Only here an there one shall escape, as a warning to others. If men will not repent turn to God, and seekhappiness in his favour and service, their desires will but hasten their ruin. Those who make God alone their confidence, will have comfort. God ever waits to be gracious to all that come to him by faith in Christ, and happy are those who wait for him.
Is. 30:19-26 God's people will soon arrive at the Zion above, and the they will weep no more for ever. Even now they would have more comfort as well as holiness, if they were more constant in prayer. A famine of bread is not so great a judgment as a famine of the word of God. Ther are right-hand and left-hand errors; the tempter is busy courting u into by-paths. It is happy if, by the counsels of a faithful ministe or friend, or the checks of conscience, and the strivings of God the Spirit, we are set right when doubting, and prevented from going wrong They shall be cured of their idolatry. To all true penitents sin becomes very hateful. This is shown daily in the conversion of souls by the power of Divinegrace, to the fear and love of God. Abundan means of grace, with the influences of the Holy Spirit, would be extended to places destitute of them. The effect of this should be comfort and joy to the people of God. Light, that is, knowledge, shal increase. This is the light which the gospel brought into the world and which proclaims healing to the broken-hearted.
