Verse 1

CONTENTS

Here is a Chapter which looks into Gospel days, and is indeed full of blessed promises concerning the Messiah's kingdom, from beginning to end.

Verses 1-5

So very important in the eye of God the Holy Ghost, is this blessed prophecy, that he thought proper to commission two of his servants the Prophets to deliver it to the Church, and almost in the very same words. If the Reader will look back to the second Chapter of Isaiah's writings, he will find the same there delivered to the Church, as the Prophet Micah hath in this Chapter. And is not this as if to say, in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall, every word be established? 2 Corinthians 13:1. Reader! do mark the several features here set forth, of the blessings of Jesus and his gospel. His Church shall be established in spite of hell and the world. All nations shall flow to it. Every redeemed soul shall invite his neighbor. The enemies of the Church, the Lord will judge. Peace shall be established in the earth, and the Church shall enjoy uninterrupted quiet. Who that hears this, but must join in the ardent prayer of the Church; Lord! thy kingdom come!

Verse 6-7

Here are sweet promises also to the weak and fearful. Halting, and the trembling souls, under the thoughts of being cast off; shall be strengthened. Jesus will be their strength, and their confidence, and will plead their cause. Observe, Reader, how often that sweet word I is mentioned. I the Lord will assemble; I will gather; I will make her that halted a remnant. Yes! all must be done by the Lord. And when the Lord works, who will let or hinder?

Verses 8-10

If, as some have supposed, that the word Migdol-Eder, which we translate Tower, means Bethlehem, and the very place where the Jewish shepherds were keeping their flocks by night, when the angels announced to them the birth of Christ. Luke 2:8-9. there is an uncommon beauty in this passage in reference to Christ. Certain it is that the Church is Christ's flock, and Christ himself as a tower of defense, See Zechariah 9:12 and Ezekiel 34:31. And it may be truly said, that Christ's kingdom began from thence, when Christ was born in Bethlehem king of the Jews, Matthew 2:2. Here also, in the travailing pains spoken of, is an allusion to the Church's first going into Babylon, and from thence being delivered.

Verse 11-12

The Church is and ever must be, upon earth, the envy of the carnal world. But, Reader, what a sweet thought it is for you, for me, for all, that when the enemies of Christ and his redeemed seem to triumph, their boasting is but momentary, and the Lord is thereby hastening their destruction. This was memorably fulfilled in the Church's persecution in Babylon; for when the impious monarch insulted the people, and profaned the holy vessels of the sanctuary, the same night he was slain. Daniel 5:2-30.

Verse 13

See, Reader, see! what holy triumphs await the Church in the end. It is not enough that Jesus will drive out all the enemies of his people before them; but he will bring all their enemies under them. Satan shall not only be bruised, but bruised under the feet of the poor timid followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. The song hath been already sung in heaven, in the assurance of those events; and ere long, the same song shall be sung by all the redeemed upon earth. Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ; for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night; and they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 12:10-11.

REFLECTIONS

READER! do not dismiss this precious Chapter, until you have again and again pondered well the contents of it. Think at what distance this blessed prophecy was delivered. Behold the fulfillment of it in the coming of the Lord Jesus. See what positive assurances are given for its complete accomplishment. Then consider the days in which you live; upon whom the ends of the world are come; and then in fervent earnest prayer, get into the very retirings of the Lord, and give him no rest nor peace until he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth. Oh! that the cause of Jesus was more generally and warmly taken up, by those who call themselves his people! Oh! that men were less selfish, and instead of seeking their own, would seek the things of Jesus Christ. Reader! let you and I beg of God to give us grace to prefer Jerusalem's interest above our chief joy. Lord! I would say, Do good in this good pleasure unto Zion! Hasten the blessed hour, when thou wilt establish thine house upon the tops of the mountains, and cause all nations to flow unto it. Lord! cause the law of the glorious gospel to go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem! Amen.