Open an explanation beneath verses with notes. Your notes and highlights stay on this device.
Behold, the LORD makes the earth empty, makes it waste, turns it upside down, and scatters its inhabitants.
Verse 1. Earth. After the ten preceding threats, the prophet denounces destruction to the whole world, ( Worthington.) at the day of judgment; though he may also allude to the desolation of the promised land, as our Saviour joins both in the same prediction. Matthew 24. Calmet.
It will be as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the creditor, so with the debtor; as with the taker of interest, so with the giver of interest.
Verse 2. Priest. All distinctions shall be disregarded. Worthington.—When Jerusalem was taken, all became captives.
The earth will be utterly emptied and utterly laid waste; for the LORD has spoken this word.
The earth mourns and fades away. The world languishes and fades away. The lofty people of the earth languish.
Verse 4. Weakened: Joakim, and so forth are made prisoners. The greatest monarchs must come before God’s tribunal.
The earth also is polluted under its inhabitants, because they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, and broken the everlasting covenant.
Therefore the curse has devoured the earth, and those who dwell therein are found guilty. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are left.
Verse 6. Sin. Towards the end of the world iniquity will abound, and men shall rage against each other. Matthew 24. Worthington.—They will also feel the effects of sin.—Mad: abandoned to their passions, (Deuteronomy 28:28) excepting only the elect. Menochius.—Few. The Chaldees permitted only a few of the poorest sort to remain. 2 Chronicles 29:10.
The new wine mourns. The vine languishes. All the merry-hearted sigh.
The mirth of tambourines ceases. The sound of those who rejoice ends. The joy of the harp ceases.
They will not drink wine with a song. Strong drink will be bitter to those who drink it.
Verse 9. The drink. Hebrew shecar, “palm wine.”
The confused city is broken down. Every house is shut up, that no man may come in.
Verse 10. Vanity. Jerusalem, ( Calmet.) or any other city, will be all in confusion. Bible.—In, as was the case in times of mourning. Jeremiah 9:21. Calmet.
There is a crying in the streets because of the wine. All joy is darkened. The mirth of the land is gone.
The city is left in desolation, and the gate is struck with destruction.
For it will be so within the earth among the peoples, as the shaking of an olive tree, as the gleanings when the vintage is done.
These shall lift up their voice. They will shout for the majesty of the LORD. They cry aloud from the sea.
Verse 14. Sea. The few elect (verse 13) being rescued from the misery of the world, shall praise God. Bible.—They are exhorted to lift up their heads. Lu. 21:28. Menochius.
Therefore glorify the LORD in the east, even the name of the LORD, the God of Israel, in the islands of the sea!
Verse 15. Instruction. The Church is like an island, compared with the rest of the world; or it preaches the gospel to all nations, and to the islands, like Great Britain. Worthington.—Apostolic men are required to preach incessantly to all sorts of people. Hebrew “in light;” or Pagn. “in vales.” Menochius.
From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs. Glory to the righteous! But I said, “I pine away! I pine away! woe is me!” The treacherous have dealt treacherously. Yes, the treacherous have dealt very treacherously.
Verse 16. I said. The prophet, or any other, may speak thus in the latter days. Calmet.—Myself. I cannot recount what horrid pains I beheld. Saint Jerome Menochius. 2 Corinthians 12:4.
Fear, the pit, and the snare are on you who inhabit the earth.
Verse 17. Snare. He alludes to the methods of taking wild beasts. Job 18:11.—Opened, as they were in the days of Noe. Calmet.—All sorts of misery hang over us.
It will happen that he who flees from the noise of the fear will fall into the pit; and he who comes up out of the middle of the pit will be taken in the snare; for the windows on high are opened, and the foundations of the earth tremble.
The earth is utterly broken. The earth is torn apart. The earth is shaken violently.
The earth will stagger like a drunken man, and will sway back and forth like a hammock. Its disobedience will be heavy on it, and it will fall and not rise again.
Verse 20. Night, unexpectedly, ( Bible.) and with the utmost speed. Calmet.
It will happen in that day that the LORD will punish the army of the high ones on high, and the kings of the earth on the earth.
Verse 21. High. The stars, which in many places of the Scripture are so called. Some commentators explain that these words here signify the demons of the air. Challoner.—The apostate angels will be judged. 1 Corinthians 6:6. Matthew 24:29.
They will be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and will be shut up in the prison; and after many days they will be visited.
Verse 22. Visited. Hence Origen (Prin. iii. 6. and so forth) took occasion to assert, that the damned would one day be released, though the Scripture so often declares the contrary. The prophet speaks of the future liberation of the Jews; ( Calmet.) or he intimates that after many days, yea throughout eternity, the reprobate will still be punished. Menochius.
Then the moon will be confounded, and the sun ashamed; for the LORD of Armies will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem; and glory will be before his elders.
Verse 23. Blush: he turned into blood. Joel 2:10. Dreadful calamities shall ensue, to usher in the great day of judgment. Calmet.