Wesley Corpus

Chapter XXI An explication of the prophecy in the close of the last chapter, with directions to the prophet upon it, ver. 1 - 7. A prediction of the sword that was coming on the land, ver. 8 - 17. A prospect given of the king of Babylon's coming to Jerusalem, to which he was determined by divination, ver. 18 - 24. Sentence passed on Zedekiah, ver. 25 - 27. The destruction of the Ammonites, ver. 28 - 32. The holy places - The temple and all parts of it. The righteous - It is no unusual thing, that in publick calamities, those who are indeed righteous should be involved with others. All flesh - All the Jews that dwell in the land. Shall not return - It shall not return into the scabbard 'till it hath done full execution. Sigh therefore - Thereby express deep sorrow. Breaking of thy loins - Like a woman in travail. Because - The saddest news you ever heard is coming. Furbished - Made clean and bright. Of my son - To whom God saith, Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron, Psa 2:9. This sword is that rod of iron, which despiseth every tree, and will bear it down. It - The devouring sword. Upon thy thigh - In token of thy sense of what they must suffer. If - But if the king and kingdom of Judah despise this trial, both shall be destroyed and be no more. And smite - In token of amazement and sorrow. Of the slain - Wherewith many shall be slain. Privy chambers - Where they were hidden in hope to escape. All their gates - Both of cities, of palaces, and of private houses. Wrapt up - And hath been carefully kept in the scabbard, that it might not be blunted. Go - O sword, take thy own course. Smite my hands - In token of my approbation. Appoint - Paint, or describe them on a tile. One land - That is, Babylon. Chuse - Pitch on some convenient place, where thou mayest place Nebuchadnezzar's army, consulting where this one way divides into two, which was on the edge of the desert of Arabia. At the head - Where each way runs, toward either Rabbath, or Jerusalem; for there Nebuchadnezzar will cast lots. To Judah - The Jews.