Isaiah 66

Verse 1. House. This is a prophecy that the temple should be cast off. Challoner.—Isaias alludes to the return of the captives, as to a figure of the Church. They had flattered themselves with the idea of building a magnificent temple. God regards it not, as long as they follow their own wills and cherish pride. Calmet.—He is pleased with the piety of his servants, which may be exhibited any where, though the temple is the most proper place. See Acts 7 and 14. After the gospel, the sacrifices of the law became unlawful. Worthington.

Verse 3. He. Septuagint “the wicked who.” Bible.—Ox. This is a prophecy, that the sacrifices which were offered in the old law, should be abolished in the new; and that he offering of them should be a crime. Challoner.—Without the proper dispositions, sacrifice only displeases God. Calmet.—Brain, or slay. Bible.—Incense. To offer it in the way of a sacrifice; ( Challoner.) or to remind God of his people. The expression is popular, but energetic. Leviticus 2:2, 9. and 6:15.—Ways, to please themselves, and to bind me. But I will not have a divided heart. Calmet. 1:11 and 58:3. Calmet.

Verse 4. Mockeries. I will turn their mockeries upon themselves; and will cause them to be mocked by their enemies. Challoner.

Verse 5. Brethren, the Idumeans, and so forth or the Jews, who would not believe in Christ.

Verse 6. Lord, who is about to quit the temple, and to abandon the Jews to their internal dissensions, and to the arms of the Romans. Many prodigies announced this judgment. Calmet.—One Jesus cried for seven years and five months, “Woe to the temple,” and so forth At last he cried, “Woe to myself;” when he was shot dead. Jos. Bel. vii. 12. Tacit. Hist. v.—Angels were heard crying in the temple, “Let us go hence.” Jos.—There was contradiction in the city. Psalms 54. Saint Jerome Worthington.

Verse 7. Before, and so forth This relates to the conversion of the Gentiles, who were born as it were all on a sudden to the Church of God. Challoner.—Sion furnished the first preachers of the Gospel. Bible.

Verse 8. Day. Shall a whole nation be born at once? Twelve fishermen effect the most surprising change in the manners of the world.

Verse 9. God. His grace converts the nations. Calmet.

Verse 10. For her. Ye shall be comforted, ( Bible.) when the captives return, and the gospel is propagated.

Verse 12. You. Saint Paul fed the weak with milk. 1 Corinthians 3:2. Hebrews 5:12 and 1 Peter 2:2.

Verse 14. Herb, in baptism and the resurrection.—Enemies, the Chaldees, infidel Jews, and all the reprobate. verse 15. How many miracles were wrought by Christian preachers! Persecutors have come to an untimely end. Calmet.—Before judgment, the world shall be consumed. Worthington.

Verse 16. Many. Few are chosen. Bible.—All the wicked shall perish eternally. Menochius.

Verse 17. Within the court, or gardens, where they purified themselves, foolishly supposing that this would remove their crimes, as the pagans did. Saint Jerome Tert. Bapt. v.—Instead of gate, S. Jerom wrote unam, “one,” moon or Hecate, which is obviously derived from Hebrew Achat. Calmet. 57:8 and 65:11. Chal. Syr. and so forth “gardens, one after another with those who eat,” and so forth—Mouse, or “field-rat,” (Bochart) all declared unclean; (Leviticus 11:7. 29. Calmet.) or, “the dor-mouse,” (Saint Jerome) which was looked upon as a delicacy by the Romans. Varro iii. 15. Pliny xxxvi. 1.

Verse 18. Gather them, thoughts, and so forth All is personified in poetry. The Gentiles shall witness my judgments. Calmet.

Verse 19. Sign; the cross, which Christ left to enlighten us, (Ezekiel 9. Saint Jerome Worthington.) or the gospel, with the power of working miracles. Some Jews shall be saved, and shall preach to others, as God’s servants.—Sea. Hebrew “Tharsis, to Phul in Thebais, Lud, (Ethiopians. Bochart) who were expert archers.” Septuagint “Mosoch.”—Italy. Hebrew “Thubal;” denoting Italy, Spain, Iberia, and so forth—Greece. Hebrew “Javan;” who peopled Ionia and the Archipelago. Islands, near Asia, ( Calmet.) and all distant places. Parkhurst, p. 4. Bible.—Men of all nations shall be converted, and brought by angels to the Church. Saint Jerome Worthington.

Verse 20. Brethren, as the converts may justly be styled. Calmet.—Coaches, (carrucis.) Hebrew circaroth, ( Bible.) “dromedaries,” (Bochart) “with songs of praise.” Chal. and so forth The precise import is unknown. Truth shall shew its sweet force.—Offering; the first-fruits, brought by all with great solemnity. Deuteronomy 26:4 and 2 Thes. 2:12. Calmet.

Verse 21. Of them, Gentiles; (verse 19) some of whom alone will be properly priests, though all enjoy the title in a figurative sense. 1 Peter 2:9. The Jews strive in vain to elude this text. Calmet.—Under the law, one family alone enjoyed this honour: but Christ chooses the most deserving pastors. Worthington.

Verse 22. Name. The faith and morals of Christianity shall subsist for ever, like the gospel, which is termed the new heavens. Calmet. 65:17. Matthew 16:18.

Verse 23. Sabbath. Grotius explains this of the Gentiles, who should come to Jerusalem. But this was never realized before the propagation of the gospel. The Jews came thrice a-year. Christians shall attend the sacred mysteries every week. Exodus 13:14. Malachi 1:11.

Verse 24. Men; rebellious Jews and persecutors, who perish miserably.—Flesh. Josephus (Bel. vi. 16.) describes the horrors of the last siege of Jerusalem. The prophet may allude to the fires kept up in the vale of Hinnon; (Calmet. 30:33) and our Saviour applies this text to the damned. Mark 9:43. All shall condemn them. Calmet.

Accedat lacrymis odium, dignusque puteris

Ut mala cum tuleris plurima, plura feras. Ovid in Ibin.

JEREMIAS

THE PROPHECY OF JEREMIAS