But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.
But I will put it into the hands of them that afflict thee - (Isaiah 49:26; Jeremiah 25:15-29; Zechariah 12:2.)
Which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over. Conquerors often literally trod on the necks of conquered kings, as Sapor of Persia did to the Roman emperor, Valerian (Joshua 10:24; Psalms 18:40; Psalms 66:11-12).
Remarks-They "that follow after righteousness," must "hearken to" Yahweh, and seek it in the same way that Abraham, the father of the faithful obtained it. It is not far off, but "near." To "wait upon" the Lord, and to 'trust on His arm,' is the way to find it, and with it to find "salvation." As Abraham was all but"alone" when the Lord "called him ... and blessed him, and increased him," so will the same Lord bless and increase the small remnant of Israel in the last days. He will 'comfort Zion and make her wilderness like the garden of the Lord,' so that "joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody." 'The heavens and the earth' in their present fore shall pass away; but the "salvation" which God's "righteousness" is pleased to bestow on His people "shall not be abolished." Therefore, all who experimentally "know" God's "righteousness" in Christ, and who have His Gospel 'law in their heart,' have no reason to 'fear the reproach of men,' who shall perish as the "moth."