Matthew Poole and continuators on Zephaniah 2

1 GAther your selves together , yea, gather together , O nation not desired .

Call a solemn assembly, as Ioel 1.14. proclaim a fast. Let all have notice given to meet on this work, and being gather'd together, search your selves, hearts, and wayes and repent.

Repeated to affect them the more and to hasten them to it, and make them serious in it.

Of the Iews, yet a people, yet my people, though next door almost to being no people.

Neither desirous to return, nor desirable in your return, foolishly unwilling to return, and utterly unworthy to be received on your return, yet gather together, search your wayes, and try what you may do for your safety.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 paragraph]

2 Before the decree bring forth , before the day pass as the chaffe : before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORDs anger come upon you.

The word of the Prophet which declares the purpose of God against this sinful people.

The decree is pregnant, nay hath gone a great while, but is now like a woman near her full time ready to bring forth, be you speedy in your Repentance, lest your Miseries break forth of the Womb of Divine Vengeance and destroy you.

The day of your calamities, Babylon's rage, and Gods just displeasure.

Carry you away as the Wind carrieth chaffe away for the fire, while the good grain is gathered and preserved.

As a storm from on high with violence irresistible and destructive, and the warning is doubled to make them take it.

The heat of Anger. It was Jealousie like fire, chap. 1.18. and here 'tis the heat of that fire, intimating the greatness of the Anger.

3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth , which have wrought his judgment , seek righteousness , seek meekness : it may be , ye shall be hid in the day of the LORDs Anger.

Turn to him with sound and true Repentance, pray for pardon, engage in new obedience, enquire in the Law what is your Duty and do it; fear, worship, depend on the Lord alone.

Ye humble ones who have not hardned your selves with the stubborn, proud, Idolatrous Hypocrites, but have trembled at the Word of the Lord.

Of Iudaea which is here spoken of, as chap. 1.2.

Obey'd his precepts, so doth the Scripture express obedience to the Law of God by doing judgment, D[illegible: 2 letters]t. 4.5. Psal. 119.121.

Enquire, and know the righteousness which God commandeth which you ought to persist in▪ and continue ye in it.

Carry it humbly towards God, and patiently under his Corrections, so want on the just, and merciful God.

This is sufficient to raise hope, if it be not sure, if it be hard, yet 'tis not impossible.

Under the wing of Divine protecting Providence kept safe, from, or in, these troubles, they shall be either averted or abated.

Marginal references: Joel 2.14. Amos 5.15. Jonah 3.9.

4 For Gaza shall be forsaken and Ashkelon a desolation : they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day , and Ekron shall be rooted up .

It is time to seek some refuge, high time to seek it in God, for your neighbours, as well as you, shall be destroy'd, there shall be no refuge for you among your neighbours.

A chief City of the Philistins, very strong by its situation, and by art fortified a Frontier toward Egypt, and not full three miles from the Sea.

When the conquering Army of the Chaldeans shall come against it, shall be forsaken either by the flight or captivity of the inhabitants.

Another of the strong Cities of the Philistines which fell to the Tribe of Dan, and was a Maritine Town.

Utterly wasted, so the abstract doth imply.

Babylonians. Vid. Ezek. 25.15, 16, 17.

Into captivity, cast them out of their own and force them into a strange land.

A strong fortified City of Palestina called in after times Azotus.

It shall be taken by force at Noon, or the Citizens led away captive in the heat of the day, and under parching heats.

Famous for its infamous Idolatry where Baalzebub was worshipp'd, the chief Seat of Devil-worship.

Utterly extirpated, no more to spring up. Vid. Ier. 47.4, 5. it shall be as a Tree pull'd up by the Roots, or maimed, as Horses that are houghed, as Iosh. 11.9.

Marginal references: Amos 1.6. Zech. 9.5.

5 Wo unto the inhabitants of the seacoasts ; the nation of the Cherethites : the word of the LORD is against you: O Canaan : the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant .

Now all the Philistines are threatned, whereas before he named onely those four Cities.

The Coasts of the great, or western Sea, now the Mediterrane, on which the Philistines of old did dwell.

Or destroyers, men that were stout but fierce and perhaps terrible to Neighbours and Forreigners that had the hard hap to be forced on their Coasts by violence of Sea. They were great Souldiers, and lived Switzer-like, Guards to David, it may be to other Kings also.

His purpose, his threats too by his Prophet.

That part that the Philistines did by force keep from the Iewes.

Though the Chaldeans be the men shall destroy, yet the Lord will do it also; they his servants, he chief, in doing it.

No more Cities, nor Citizens to dwell therein.

6 And the sea-coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds , and folds for flocks.

This confirms the former, tells us what shall be in those parts, instead of Cities full of rich Citizens, there shall be Cottages for shepherds watching over their flocks.

7 And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah , they shall feed thereupon, in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity .

The Sea-coast, the land of the Philistines.

Either that escaped, as some did, or else survived the Captivity.

The Two Tribes, one nam'd, both included.

Their flocks.

In places where houses of Ashkelon formerly stood.

Both Shepherds and Flocks too.

The everlasting Iehovah.

From their Fathers by Covenant.

In mercy remembring his covenant with them.

Or shall send to receive their Prisoners, or Captives, or return their Captivity, and by the command of Cyrus give them liberty of returning into their own Countrey.

Marginal references: Or, when.

8 ¶ I have heard the reproach of Moab , and the revilings of the children of Ammon whereby they have reproached my people , and magnified themselves against their border .

Either the Prophet for himself, or for the People, speaks this, or else more likely in the name of God, assures the Iewes that God had heard, observed, resented, and was highly displeased with that he heard.

A people of near kin to the Iewes born of Lot's daughter, seated Eastward of Canaan, upon the Dead Sea, and Iordan, a powerful people and as proud; whose Pride broke out on all occasions against the Iews, as appears from first to last, Isa. 16.6. and Ier. 48.27, 30. brand them as very proud.

A people as near as Moab to Jewish blood, and as bitter against them, Ne[illegible: 1 letter]. 4.2, 3. bitter scoffers, and Jearers.

Either in the War, or at the taking of Jerusalem, or when the captive Jewes were led by their borders into captivity: Ezek. 25.3. puts these all together.

Either boasting what they themselves were, or what they would have dont, or what they will do against Israel, recovering their old pretended Right and Estate.

Invading their Frontiers, and spoiling them with insolence.

Marginal references: Jer. 49.1.

9 Therefore as I live saith the LORD of hosts the God of Israel , Surely Moab shall be as Sodom , and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles , and salt-pits , and a perpetual desolation , the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them .

The most solemn Oath, fit for none but God himself to use. Vid. Ezek. 14.16.

Who have all things at my disposal and can arm all Creatures against these proud Revilers.

Who by Covenant am Israel's God, and Israel is my people, in whose reproaches I am reproached.

This is a proverbial speech in Scripture phrase to speak great destruction, as Isa. 1.9. Moab and Ammon were not destroy'd by fire, as Sodom and Gomorrah, but the next words are an explication of these.

Not Cultivated, but run over with Nettles, as if 'twere onely to breed them.

A salt, dry, barren Earth fit onely to dig salt out of it.

Never more to be manured and inhabited▪ [illegible: 1 letter]r not for a long, a very long time.

Either the few left with Gedaliah, or the Remnant that return'd out of Babylon.

Provoked by the injuries of Moab, and Ammon, shall take Arms, overcome, and spoil them.

Settle upon their Lands, and dwell in those parts that are fit for habitation.

Marginal references: Isa. 15.[illegible: 1 letter] 48. Ez[illegible: 2 letters] ▪ [illegible: 1 letter] Amos 2.[illegible: 1 letter]; Amo[illegible: 1 letter] 1.[illegible: 1 letter]

10 This shall they have for their pride because they have reproached , and magnified themselves against the people of the LORD of hosts .

This grievous ruin like Sodoms, this just Retaliation, they insulted over Israel, Israel shall tread on them.

Haughty mind and carriage. See ver. 8. let. e

Defam'd, spoke lies, and scandals against the Iewes, lessening them.

Their Persons and Exploits.

Against the onely people of the Lord of Hosts who suffer'd reproach with his People and in them, for Moabites and Ammonites, as others boasted of their Gods above the True God.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] 1[illegible: 1 letter].[illegible: 1 letter] Jer. [illegible: 2 letters].[illegible: 2 letters]

11 The LORD will be terrible unto them : for he will famish all the gods of the earth , and men shall worship him , every one from his place , even all the isles of the heathen .

Or, The Lord who is to be feared is against or above them, and will make it appear that he is terrible in his doings.

Moabites and Ammonites and their Gods, of whom they gloried.

Starve; though now their Altars are filled with Sacrifices, and their bowles run over, as if they designed to make their Gods fat, but they shall want their Sacrifices and Drink-offerings, these shall be few or quite cease, and their Priests grow lean. There shall be a consumption among them all.

Idols, heathen Gods.

Of those Lands, Dagon, Che[illegible: 2 letters]sh, Molech, &c. that are Gods no where else but on Earth, and among the deceived, or Gods of the Earth, as sons of the Earth, vile spurious Gods.

Of that Countrey whose Gods are undone, or all men shall know, own and worship the God of Israel.

Where he dwelleth, not onely at Ierusalem, or in this mount, but every where.

Either literally, as we now see it fulfilled, or as the Jewes interpret Isles to be Transmarine places. So they wait for his Law, as foretold Isa. 42.4.

Of all Nations in all parts of the World. This is eminently fulfilled by the prevailing of the Gospel.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 span]

12 ¶ Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain i by my sword.

The Prophet doth not speak of the African Aethiopians, south of Egypt, but of the Arabian Aethiopians much nearer to Canaan, whose Countrey was called Cusaea, with the addition Aethiopia Cusaea. See Habak. 3.7. let. a.

Nebuchadnezzar and his Chaldeans called here Gods Sword, for God imploy'd and prospered them.

Punish'd by War, and your people cut off.

Marginal references: Is[illegible: 1 letter] 1[illegible: 1 letter].1 and 2[illegible: 1 letter].4 Ezek. 3[illegible: 1 letter].[illegible: 1 letter]

13 And he will stretch out his hand against the north , and destroy Assyria , and will make Nineveh a desolation and dry like a wilderness .

The Lord God of Israel, or the Chaldean Monarch as God's Servant herein.

Engage all his power, and use it to the utmost.

i. e. As follows Assyria, which lay Northward of Iudaea, but more due North from Babylon if I mistake n[illegible: 1 letter]t.

Overthrow that great and antient Kingdom of [illegible: 1 word], of which more at large in Na[illegible: 1 letter]um tot.

Chief City of that Kingdom. Vid. Nah. 1.1.

Most desolate, [illegible: 1 span]

Will turn those well-watered places into dry, thirsty and barren land as a wilderness.

Marginal references: I[illegible: 1 letter]a. 1[illegible: 1 letter].[illegible: 1 letter] Ezek. [illegible: 1 letter]1.[illegible: 1 letter] N[illegible: 2 letters]. [illegible: 1 letter].12 and 3.1[illegible: 1 letter]

14 And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her , all the beasts of the nations: both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it: their voice shall sing in the windows , desolation shall be in the thresholds : for he shall uncover the cedar work.

Ninev[illegible: 1 letter]h shall be so razed that Flocks of Cattel shall lie down in the midst of it, as before of the Philistines, ver. 6.

All sorts of beasts which are found in those. Countreys, the tame under the guard of watching shepherds, and wild ones seeking their prey will a[illegible: 2 letters]end about those places.

Birds that are solitary, and delight in desolate places, in Reedy Fens, where they seek their food, and are look'd on as unlucky Birds.

Shall either make their nests there▪ or seek and choose their Lodging there; they shall roost there in the night upon the Pillars, or Turrets or Pinacles.

These doleful Creatures shall make a more doleful noise, that shall be all the Musick to be heard in their desolate Windows.

The lowest part of their houses, from top to bottom nothing but wastes and ruine, instead of Beautiful Ladies looking out at Windows and Doors, and singing; now cormorants and bitterns, and their doleful Notes.

Or when the Babylonian hath burnt the houses, or beat down the curious Roofs and coverings of Cedar, the beauty and the defence of their houses.

Marginal references: Cr, Pelican.; Isa. 24.11, 14.; Or, [illegible: 1 word], or [illegible: 1 word]; Or, when he [illegible: 1 word] uncovered.

15 This is the rejoycing city that dwelt carelesly , that said in her heart : I am, and there is none beside me: how is she become a desolation , a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her, shall hiss and wag his hand .

We may suppose the Prophet, or the Iewes, or all passengers standing still and wondring, nay upbraiding Nineveh, all Mirth and Jollity once, but now all sorrow and grief.

In so great confidence, and security, as if it had been impossible she should ever have fa[illegible: 1 letter]n from her glory.

Perswaded her self into an opinion very ill becoming any, but God himself.

None that can contend with me, that will be so hardy as to attempt against me, none able to overthrow me. Somewhat like T[illegible: 1 letter]rus. Ez[illegible: 1 letter]k. 28.12, &c.

She thought none was like her in Glory, Power and Wealth: now there is none like her indeed▪ but it is for Misery, and Desolations. It may be either the speech of one that laments and wonders at it, or of one that rejoyceth at it.

Where Palaces for Princes stood, now are places for Beasts, where Nobles dwelt, now do ignoble Cattle couch.

Deride their arrogancy and condemn their ungodly pride and security, yet with some pity toward this desolate City.

Marginal references: Isa. 4[illegible: 1 letter].[illegible: 1 letter].