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The LORD says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is near and my righteousness will soon be revealed.
Verse 1. Judgment, the right resolution to do God’s will, which justice executes. Calmet. 32. Worthington.—My justice. Septuagint “mercy.” Christ is at hand. Prepare for your deliverance, by keeping the commandments.
Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast; who keeps the Sabbath without profaning it and keeps his hand from doing any evil.”
Verse 2. Sabbath. All the Jewish festivals, ( Calmet.) as well as those of the Christian Church, ( Bible.) and the whole law. Worthington.
Let no foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD speak, saying, “The LORD will surely separate me from his people.” Do not let the eunuch say, “Behold, I am a dry tree.”
Verse 3. People. The Jews would not admit all nations to their communion. Deuteronomy 33:1. A little before Christ’s coming, they began to make more proselytes; (Matthew 23:15) and the sacred books being translated, came to the knowledge of the Gentiles, who were thus induced by degrees to embrace the true faith. The road to heaven was always open for those who kept the commandments, (verse 6. Calmet.) though they might not receive circumcision. Bible.—Christ has removed the wall of separation, (Ephesians 2:14. Calmet.) and established one fold for all. John 10. Bible.
For the LORD says, “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, choose the things that please me, and hold fast to my covenant,
Verse 4. Eunuchs. It was ignominious to have no children among the Jews, as the propagation of the true religion depended much on their numbers. But now, since the Church is gathered from all nations, virginity is preferable to marriage, and those who keep the sabbath, or all the commandments, and choose this state freely, will receive greater glory than the other sons and daughters of God. Against this plain meaning, P. Martyr (de Cœlib.) asserts that God prefers eunuchs only because before those who transgress the law. But he gives them a place better than his other sons, and so forth! Prot. (Bib. 1603) understand that eunuchs shall be called after (or according to) God’s people, and be of the same religion, which implies no preference at all. They add, therefore, yea, under Christ the dignity of the faithful shall be greater than the Jews were at that time; as if the comparison were between God’s servants before and after Christ, and not between eunuchs and such as have children. How much better is it for us to follow the holy Fathers, who hence commend those who make a vow of perpetual chastity? They shall possess an excellent dignity among the angels. S. Bas. virg.—The rewards of continency are great, eximia. Saint Cyril Alex. hic.—“In the eternal mansion they are preferred before children.” Saint Gregory past. iii. 29. and so forth Worthington.—Such spiritual eunuchs, as Saint John the evangelist, are meant. “He hath chosen what the Lord would, that he should offer more than was commanded … He who is an eunuch, and performs all that is prescribed, shall have … the best place, so that he shall be a tower, and occupy the rank of a priest, and instead of children of the flesh, shall have many spiritual children.” Saint Jerome Bible.—The law excluded eunuchs from the Church. Deuteronomy 23:1. But under the gospel, they may enter heaven. Matthew 19 and 1 Corinthians 7:32. and so forth Daniel (1:3) and his companions were eunuchs, yet in high estimation; and virtuous eunuchs are commended. Wisd. 3:13. Calmet.—Choose. Observing the commandments and counsels, like religious men. Menochius.—Those who choose to do more than is commanded, will have a greater reward. Worthington.
I will give them in my house and within my walls a memorial and a name better than of sons and of daughters. I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.
Also the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD to serve him, and to love the LORD’s name, to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath from profaning it, and holds fast my covenant,
I will bring these to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”
Verse 7. Prayer. So the temple is justly styled. Bible.—This shall be open to all nations. After the captivity, the Jews condescended to let the Gentiles have a court, and they even suffered some princes to go into the court of the priests. 2 Maccabees 3:33. Physcon wished to penetrate into the inner sanctuary, (3 Mac. Sirach 1) which could not be granted.
The Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says, “I will yet gather others to him, in addition to his own who are gathered.”
All you animals of the field, come to devour, all you animals in the forest.
Verse 9. Beasts. Here a fresh discourse begins to Calmet. 61. The Chaldees and Romans are invited to punish God’s people for their sins, committed before the captivity. Zechariah 14:2. Calmet.—The prophet foresees the negligence of some pastors, and denounces their rigorous chastisement. Worthington.
His watchmen are blind. They are all without knowledge. They are all mute dogs. They can’t bark— dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.
Verse 10. Watchmen. Priests and prophets. Calmet.—We know ( Bible.) only Jeremias who continued firm. Lamentations 2:14. In the days of Christ, the corruption was not diminished. Calmet.
Yes, the dogs are greedy. They can never have enough. They are shepherds who can’t understand. They have all turned to their own way, each one to his gain, from every quarter.
Verse 11. Last. The scribes devour the houses of widows, making long prayers. Matthew 23:14. They are blind. Matthew 15:14. Bible.
“Come,” they say, “I will get wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow will be as today, great beyond measure.”