See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
Ver. 10. See, I have this day set thee over nations,] scil., With authority to use the same liberty in reproving their sins that they take in committing them. Fear not the highest (for I have set thee over them), but look upon them as so many mice; for what are they more in comparison of me and of thee, who hast from me thy mission and commission? zeal in well doing showeth a man to be right, like as such are living fish as swim against the stream.
To root out, and to pull down,] i.e., To denounce destruction to evildoers, and then I will effect it. Elisha hath his sword, as well as Hazael or Jehu, 1Ki 19:17 and vengeance for the disobedient is every whit as ready in God's hands as in his minister's mouth. 2Co 10:6 See Hosea 6:5. See Trapp on " Hos 6:5 " John 20:23. But what a mercy of God to the Church was it that the same day that Pelagius, that arch-heretic, was born in Britain, Augustine, the great confuter of that heretic, should be born in Africa - Providence so disposing that the poison and the antidote should come into world together. a
To build, and to plant.] As a co-worker with God for the good of souls, by preaching Christ unto them, as this prophet doth notably in a most divine and stately strain, setting him forth in his coming, covenant, offices, benefits, &c., as the only foundation and lively root of hope.
a Dempster, Hist. Scot.