In that time— The words of this verse are sufficiently plain, exhibiting a notable consequence of the divine judgment, whereby the Egyptians as well as the Ethiopians should receive great benefit: for it should come to pass that they, or some of them, awakened by this tremendous judgment, should come to the knowledge of the God of Israel, and should profess their faith, and unite themselves to the church establishment in mount Zion. chap. Isaiah 19:18-19, &c. Psalms 68:31; Psalms 87:3. In that time, or after that time, signifies soon after the execution of this signal judgment; and that this was the case we learn very remarkably from sacred history, 2 Chronicles 32:23. These offerings then, made from Egypt and all nations, were a prelude of the more perfect conversion of the Gentiles to the God of Israel; (see particularly Josephus against Apion, lib. 2 and Vitringa;) and there is nothing more certain than that God, after the remarkable overthrow of Sennacherib, was like the clear heat after rain, like dew in the time of harvest, to the people of Israel. See the chapter of Chronicles above referred to.
REFLECTIONS.—
1. A woe is pronounced on Egypt—the land which sendeth ambassadors to form alliances, and to engage auxiliary forces, in order to strengthen its army.
2. God prepares to disappoint their designs, and gives his orders: Go, ye swift messengers of his vengeance, to a nation scattered and peeled; which, with the following words, some suppose addressed to Judaea, harassed by the Assyrians; but are rather spoken of these invaders.
3. All the people of the earth are called to be spectators of the controversy, when on the mountains of Judaea the proud Assyrian monarch should lift up his banners, and sound the dread alarm. However intimidating his appearance, God bids them see and hear, and mark the end. Note; God's hand of providential interposition is carefully to be remarked; and, when dangers are most alarming, he is nearest to defend and save us. As it is written, in the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.
4. For a while God seems to give up his people for a prey. So the Lord said unto me, I will take my rest, as one asleep, and disregarding the distress of his people; and I will consider in my dwelling-place what I resolve to do; or, I will look upon my dwelling-place, Jerusalem, so called from the Shechinah of glory abiding in the temple, like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest; either reviving them, as the sun quickens the grass after a shower, and a cloud allays the scorching heat of harvest; or, suffering them for a while to be afflicted, as the sun burns up the grass, and as rain is hurtful in the time of harvest. And this may refer to his dealings with his people, whom he would comfort and protect; or the invading Assyrians, whose devices he would thus consider and disappoint. Note; (1.) God's repose can never be disturbed by all the impotent rage of his foes. (2.) He seems, respecting his people, sometimes to have forgotten and forsaken them, when he is just ready to display his designs of grace for their deliverance.
5. His enemies, when ready in their own conceits, to reap the fruits of their conquests, are destroyed. Afore the harvest, when the bud is perfect, their designs formed for execution, and the sour grape, the mischievous purpose, is ripening in the flower, ready to be accomplished, he shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning-hooks, and take away and cut down the branches; destroy both the soldiers of the army and the chief captains by the sword of the angel; and such a slaughter shall be made, that food enough will be provided from the carcases of the slain, during summer and winter, for the fowls and the wild beasts. Note; The deepest-laid schemes against God's people, in which their adversaries already triumph in the certainty of success, God can easily counteract, to the confusion of all the enemies of his cause.
6. God's people, delivered by his wondrous interposition, would bring to his altar a grateful present from the spoil of their enemies. Or this may refer to future times, when the posterity of these as well as of other ancient enemies of God's church, should present themselves to him; and, wretched and vile as before their character was esteemed, being converted by grace, their offering would be accepted, and they admitted into the church of Christ, the place of the name of the Lord of Hosts, the spiritual mount Zion. Note; (1.) If God enriches us by his providence, we are bound to bring the grateful present to him, and the poor are his receivers. (2.) They who design the ruin of others, are themselves justly given up for a prey.