And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts [to dwell] in [other] cities.
Ver. 1. And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem] This city, being before repaired, beginneth now to be repeopled. See Nehemiah 7:4. The rulers there took up their seat (as was fit, and as in all chief cities is usual), so that thither the tribes went up, the tribes of the Lord, &c. And there were set the thrones of judgment, Psalms 122:5 .
The rest of the people also cast lots] The dispose whereof is wholly of the Lord; and therefore none could reasonably repine.
To bring one of ten] This shadowed out the paucity of those that shall inhabit the heavenly Jerusalem; according to Isa 6:13 Jeremiah 3:14. Christ at the last day will do as Joshua did (saith a divine) to find out who had stolen the Babylonish garment: there were many brought together, and all to find out one, Joshua 7:21. So all shall then appear; out of them a final number seducted, that have heard of Christ; out of them those that have professed him; and out of them, those that have professed in sincerity; and these,
- Numero vix sunt totidem, quot
Thebarum portae, vel divitis ostia Nili. (Juvenal, Sat. 13.)
How many, think you, shall be saved in this city? (said Chrysostom to the people of Antioch, where he had long preached, and was much admired). It will be a hard speech to you, but I will speak it; though there be so many thousands of you, yet there cannot be found a hundred that shall be saved; and I doubt of them too; for what villany is there in youth! what sloth in old age! and so he goes on.
The holy city ] Jerusalem is so called, because God had chosen it to set his name there. The heathen God haters had always an edge against it, and this made people so unwilling to inhabit it. Our Edward I had too high a conceit of it, when he charged his son upon his death bed to carry his heart there, and left 32,000 pounds for that purpose.