CONTENTS
This seems to be but a continuation of the former Chapter; and a most blessed continuation it is! We have here, the Lord speaking most graciously to his people; and giving them exceeding great and precious promises in Christ, confirmed with all the sanction and authority of Jehovah.
The first observation, that I desire to offer on this most glorious chapter is, to mark to the Reader, the repeated confirmation we meet with of its blessed contents, in a thus, and a thus saith the Lord. No less than one and twenty times, within the space of forty verses, doth Jehovah graciously condescend to set his seal of authority to the merciful promises delivered, by the mention of his own great and incommunicable name. Reader! I beseech you never to overlook this, in whatever part of the Sacred Word it occurs. It is the testimony of Jehovah, which becomes the ground and warrant of our faith. The testimony of the Lord is sure; yea, the Psalmist saith, that the Lord's testimonies are very sure, holiness becometh his house forever, Psalms 93:5 and Psalms 19:7. And it is the Father's testimony, and approbation of his dear Son, as our glorious Head and Surety, which must give assurance to our faith. Every poor unbelieving sinner, who fears the salvation of his soul is too great to be believed, could never desire stronger assurances for his faith to rest on, than the Word of God. If the Lord would but say it, I should believe. Here then comes in the blessedness of this short, but comprehensive expression. Thus saith the Lord. But what time is this to which the Lord refers, in which he will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be his people? I apprehend, not simply the time of restoring them from Babylon, but looking forward unto Gospel times, when both Jew and Gentile shall be brought into the fold of Christ. In confirmation of this, see Isaiah 49:6; Galatians 3:29.