But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.
Y lo pondré en la mano de tus angustiadores, que dijeron a tu alma: Encórvate, y pasaremos. Y tú pusiste tu cuerpo, como tierra, y como camino, a los que pasan.
Verse 23. Them that afflict thee "Them who oppress thee"] The Septuagint, Chaldee, Syriac, and Vulgate appear to have read ûynwm monayich, as in chap. xl. 26." -SECKER.
Which have said to thy soul, Bow down "Who say to thee, Bow down thy body"] A very strong and most expressive description of the insolent pride of eastern conquerors; which, though it may seem greatly exaggerated, yet hardly exceeds the stricttruth. An example has already been given of it in the note to chap. xlix. 23. I will here add one or two more.
"Joshua called for all the men of Israel; and said unto the captains of the men of war that went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings, "Josh. x. 24. "Adonibezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: As I have done, so hath God requited me, "Judg. i. 7.
The Emperor Valerianus, being through treachery taken prisoner by Sapor king of Persia, was treated by him as the basest and most abject slave
: for the Persian monarch commanded the unhappy Roman to bow himself down, and offer him his back, on which he set his foot, in order to mount his chariot or horse whenever he had occasion. - LACTANTIUS, De Mort. Persec. cap. v. AUREL. VICTOR. Epitome, cap. xxxii. - L.
Is. 51:1-3 It is good for those privileged by the new birth, to consider that they were shapen in sin. This should cause low thought of ourselves, and high thoughts of Divinegrace. It is the greates comfort to be made serviceable to the glory of God. The more holines men have, and the more good they do, the more gladness they have. Le us seriously reflect upon our guilt. To do so will tend to keep the hearthumble, and the conscience awake and tender. They make Chris more precious to the soul, and give strength to our attempts an prayers for others.
Is. 51:9-16 The people whom Christ has redeemed with his blood, as wel as by his power, will obtain joyful deliverance from every enemy. He that designs such joy for us at last, will he not work such deliveranc in the mean time, as our cases require? In this world of changes, it is a short step from joy to sorrow, but in that world, sorrow shall neve come in view. They prayed for the display of God's power; he answer them with consolations of his grace. Did we dread to sin against God we should not fear the frowns of men. Happy is the man that fearsGod always. And Christ's church shall enjoysecurity by the power an providence of the Almighty.
Is. 51:17-23 God calls upon his people to mind the things that belon to their everlastingpeace. Jerusalem had provokedGod, and was made to taste the bitter fruits. Those who should have been her comforters were their own tormentors. They have no patience by which to kee possesion of their own souls, nor any confidence in God's promise, by which to keep possession of its comfort. Thou art drunken, not a formerly, with the intoxicating cup of Babylon's idolatries, but with the cup of affliction. Know, then, the cause of God's people may for time seem as lost, but God will protect it, by convincing the conscience, or confounding the projects, of those that strive agains it. The oppressors required souls to be subjected to them, that ever man should believe and worship as they would have them. But all the could gain by violence was, that people were brought to outwar hypocritical conformity, for consciences cannot be forced __________________________________________________________________
