Bible Commentaries

Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation [is] near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.

Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgment, and do justice, — i.e., Repent ye, as ye were exhorted, Isaiah 45:6-7 and "bring forth fruits meet for repentance," Matthew 3:8 "for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matthew 3:2 Titus 2:12 Christ came to "call sinners to repentance," Mark 2:17 and to good works of all sorts, which are here called judgment and justice, as he himself is here called not only God’s salvation, but his righteousness.

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Blessed [is] the man [that] doeth this, and the son of man [that] layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.

Blessed is the man that doeth this. — And by it lays hold on that - i.e., that performeth the duties of both tables, of piety and of charity; that maketh conscience of keeping the Sabbath especially. The Fourth Commandment standeth fitly in the heart of the Decalogue, and between the two tables of the law, as having an influence into both.

From polluting it. — Either by corporal labour or spiritual idleness: spending the holy time holily.

And keepeth his hand from doing any evil. — That is, righteous as well as religious: not yielding his members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin. Romans 6:13

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Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I [am] a dry tree.

Neither let the son of the stranger. — If a proselyte, let not him add extra words to the covenant of grace in Christ, and say, It belongeth not to me. Let not him turn the back of his hand to the promise, as if he were not concerned in it, because no Jew born; for now the wall of partition is by Christ to be broken down, and the rigour of that old prohibition taken away. Acts 10:34-35 Galatians 3:28 Colossians 3:11 Ezekiel 47:22

Neither let the eunuch. — See Trapp on " Matthew 19:12 "

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For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose [the things] that please me, and take hold of my covenant;

For thus saith the Lord. — Who "comforteth those that are cast down," 2 Corinthians 7:6 those that are forsaken of their hopes. Jeremiah 30:17

That keep my Sabbaths. — Which whoso do not are worthily deemed to have no true goodness in them at all.

And choose the things that please me. — Choose them upon mature deliberation and good advice; as Moses did; Hebrews 11:25 by a free election, as Psalms 119:30 so showing themselves wise eunuchs, such as have their name παρα το ευ νουν εχειν , as Scaliger deriveth it - i.e., well-minded men, egregie cordati homines, Ennius.

And take hold of my covenant. — By a lively faith which is said to have two hands, one wherewith she layeth hold on Christ, and another whereby she giveth up herself unto him, and although the devil rap her on the fingers for so doing, yet she is resolute and holds her own.

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Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.

Even unto them will I give in mine house. — In the Church of the New Testament. Ephesians 2:19-21

A place. — Heb., A hand. A door keeper’s place in God’s house is worth having; Psalms 84:10 this was that one thing that he so dearly begged. Psalms 27:4

And a name. — That new name, Revelation 2:17 that power or prerogative-royal - that heavenly honour, Nonnus there calleth it - viz., "to be the sons of God," John 1:12 and so to be "called," 1 John 3:1 to have both the comfort and the credit of it: this is nomen in mundo praestantissimum; none to this, 2 Corinthians 6:18 for "if sons, then heirs." Romans 8:16-17

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Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;

Also the sons of the stranger that joineth. — Relinquishing his heathenish superstition, and devoting himself to my fear. The Levites had their name from the word here used; and leviathan, whose scales and parts are so fast joined and jointed together.

To love the name of the Lord, to be his servants. — Plato could say, Parere legibus est Deo servire: et haec summa est libertas, To obey the laws, is to serve God; and this is the chiefest liberty, this is perfect freedom. But Plato never knew what it was to love to be God’s servant. Lex voluntarios quaerit, saith Ambrose. In Psalm i. All God’s soldiers are volunteers, all his people free hearted; Psalms 110:3 they wait for his law. Isaiah 42:8 Deuteronomy 10:12

Every one that keepeth the Sabbath. — See on Isaiah 56:2 .

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Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices [shall be] accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

Even them will I bring unto my holy mountain, — i.e., Into my Church, and Church assemblies. Query, Whether eunuchs and strangers were made partakers of all holy services in the second temple, according to the letter? Sure we are that that holy eunuch, Acts 8:26-40 and the rest of the Gentiles, had and still have free admission under the gospel.

And will make them joyful in mine house of prayer. — By their free access unto me, and all good success in their suits. Pray "that your joy may be full." John 16:24 "Draw water with joy out of this well of salvation." Isaiah 12:3 "Rejoice evermore," and that you may so do, "pray without ceasing." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar. — Their evangelical sacrifices of prayer, praise, alms, obedience, …, shall be accepted through Christ, Hebrews 13:10 ; Hebrews 13:15 who is the true altar that sanctifieth all that is offered on it. Revelation 8:3-4

For mine house shall be called, … — See on Matthew 21:13 .

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The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather [others] to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.

Which gathereth the outcasts of Israel. — According to that ancient promise of his. Deuteronomy 30:4 None of his shall be lost for looking after; he will "fetch back his banished," as that witty woman said. 2 Samuel 14:14

Yet will I gather others to him. — Strangers, eunuchs, all mine "other sheep that are not yet of this fold," John 10:16 together with all my stragglers; those that are relapsed will I recover.

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