This is Pharaoh, &c.— This clause evidently proves the truth of the observation made on the third verse, that this allegory of the cedar refers not to the Assyrian, but to the destruction of Pharaoh king of Egypt, his princes, confederates, and people.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, This prophesy bears date about five weeks before Jerusalem was taken; when judgment, which had begun at the house of God, did not end there; but Egypt must also drink of the cup of trembling.
Pharaoh is bid to consult the records of time, and select the mightier monarch that had gone before him, with whom to compare himself, even the Assyrian;* who, notwithstanding all his ancient greatness, was now fallen. Nimrod had founded that monarchy, and the Babylonian empire had risen on its ruins. A warning to the greatest not to be high-minded, but fear.
* In my Reflections I generally take the sense of the Scriptures according to our own version.
The Assyrian monarch is compared to a tall and spreading cedar. His dignity most exalted, his dominions vastly extensive, and admirably governed, like the regular branches of a lofty tree. No prince or potentate could vie with him of all the surrounding nations, and they secretly envied his greatness, the tribute which merit and prosperity usually must pay. Protected by his power, and safe under his government, multitudes from all nations chose to settle in his dominions. Planted by the Divine Providence, and watered with the abundance of temporal good things, he seemed sufficiently strong to resist every stormy blast; and sent out little rivers unto all the trees of the field; all his subjects received abundant advantages from him. Note; They are truly great who employ their power and influence to promote the good of mankind.
2nd, The Assyrian monarch, whom Pharaoh resembled in greatness, he must resemble in his ruin.
1. They were both puffed up on their prosperity. Thou hast lifted up thyself in height; thou, O king of Egypt; or thou, O king of Assyria; for to either the words may be applied; and they are true of both, pride being the common snare which attends advancement; and few carry with them, into a superior sphere, the humble spirit of their former station. 2. They fall alike, as the just punishment of their pride and wickedness: [1.] The Assyrian by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, the mighty one of the heathen; who in the beginning of his reign, in conjunction with Cyaxares king of the Medes, is said to have destroyed that monarchy, with Nineveh the capital, and transferred the seat of empire to Babylon. God had determined his ruin, and therefore it must infallibly come to pass. Already this mighty cedar is broken: the terrible army of Chaldeans and Medes have lopped all his branches, and left them withering on every mountain and valley, and by every river: the provinces of the empire dismembered, the cities and country subdued; so that, as birds from a fallen tree, the several nations, who sought for shelter under the shadow of the Assyrian monarch, are fled, have deserted him in the day of his calamity. His enemies, like birds and beasts of prey, feed upon him; or, literally, the fowls of heaven fall upon the carcases of the slain; or those who envied his greatness, rejoice at his fall. And herein God designed to warn proud monarchs of their danger, not to trust on their power or wealth, as if these could be their protection; but to remember that they are mortal worms, and in an instant, when God strikes, numbered with the dead. This the Assyrian monarch proved, and at his ruin an universal groan was given from all who were in league with him, as the forest echoes with the falling cedar; a general stagnation of trade and commerce for a while prevailed; and, trembling for themselves, his allies fainted, conscious of their own inability to resist the conqueror of their mightier Assyrian friend; while the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, either the kingdoms subdued and ravaged by the Assyrian monarch in times past, or the nations in alliance with him, who shared his fearful destruction, shall in their graves be comforted to see him brought as low as themselves. Note; (1.) Wickedness is the cause of all our wretchedness. (2.) Pride will have a fall. (3.) They who are courted in prosperity, will often be deserted in the day of calamity. (4.) The fall of great men usually involves multitudes in their ruin. (5.) God intends that his providential strokes on others should be warnings to ourselves.
[2.] The Egyptian monarch may expect the same fate. Let him choose the mightiest kingdoms with which to compare himself, nay, were he even as great as the king of Assyria, it would not secure him from ruin: he should be brought to the same wretched state; lie down among the dead, yea, among the uncircumcised, under the eternal wrath of God. This is Pharaoh and all his multitude: such will be the end of all his greatness, grandeur, and numerous subjects. And thus shall the wicked be turned into hell, with all the nations, however many or mighty, that forget God.