Isa. 32 Christ’s kingdom, and its blessings, Isa. 32:1–8. Careless women shall be troubled, Isa. 32:9–11, and the land laid waste, Isa. 32:12–14, until a restoration, Isa. 32:15–20.

This seems to me to be a distinct prophecy from the former, and delivered at another time, and probably before that which is related in the former chapters. For this is certain, and confessed by all, that the prophecies are not always set down in that order in which the prophets delivered them.

A man; either, 1. The man or king spoken of. Or, 2. Each or every one, to wit, of his princes. That king shall not patch up an old garment with new cloth, nor mingle good and bad together; but shall take care to purge out all the corrupt magistrates, and, as far as he can, to settle good ones in…

This is meant either, 1. Of the princes or magistrates, who are instead of eyes and ears, both to the king and to the people, who, by their office, are to see and observe all things, and to hear all causes.

The rash; who were hasty and heady in judging of things; which is an argument of ignorance and folly. Shall understand knowledge; shall become more knowing and considerate in their judgments and actions.

The vile person; base and worthless men. Heb. the fool; which in Scripture use commonly signifies a wicked man. Shall be no more called liberal, or noble, or a prince, or lord, as this word is used, Ps. 118:9, Ps. 146:3, and elsewhere. The sense of the place is, either, 1.

For the vile person will speak villany: so this is a reason of the assertion, Isa. 32:5; either thus, Such shall not be advanced to places of trust and dignity; for if they were, they would abuse them by unjust sentences and practices.

The instruments also of the churl are evil, Heb. The vessels, &c., which is a word of a very general signification among the Hebrews, and signifies any person or thing which is employed in a man’s use and service.

He who is truly liberal and virtuous will show it by designing and practising liberal or virtuous actions; and he who doth so will not destroy himself thereby, as wicked men falsely suppose, but establish and advance himself.

Rise up; bestir and prepare yourselves to hear, as it follows, and shake off sloth and carelessness. That are at ease; that indulge yourselves in idleness and luxury. Careless, Heb. confident or secure, who are insensible of your sin and danger.

Many days and years, Heb. Days above a year, i.e. a year and some days; which notes either, 1. The time from this prophecy to the beginning of this judgment; or rather, 2.

Strip you, and make you bare; put off your ornaments, as God commanded upon a like occasion, Ex. 33:5, that you may put on sackcloth instead of them, as mourners and penitents used to do.

They shall lament for the teats; either, 1. Properly, because through famine your teats are destitute of milk for the nourishment of your poor children. Or rather, 2.

Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers. If any of you think there is no great cause for such trembling and lamentation, which shall last but for a year and some days, know that this calamity by the Assyrians is but an earnest of further and sorer judgments; for the time is…

The palaces, Heb. the palace; the king’s house, and other magnificent buildings in the city. Shall be left; or rather, shall be forsaken, to wit, of God, and given up into their enemies’ hands. And the verb in the foregoing clause may be rendered, shall be left.

Until the Spirit be poured upon us from on high: and this calamity and desolation shall, in a manner, continue until the time come, in which God will pour, or, as the Hebrew word properly signifies, reveal, i.e.

Judgment; just judgment, as the next clause explains it. Justice shall be executed in all the parts of the land, both in the barren and fruitful places, and shall be practised by all my people; which agrees with that promise, Isa. 60:21, Thy people shall be all righteous, &c.

The work of righteousness shall be peace; the effect of this prevailing practice of righteousness shall be prosperity and outward felicity. Quietness; tranquillity, both of mind and outward estate. Assurance; or, confidence.

My people; either the Gentiles, who then shall be my people; or the Jews, to whom this promise shall be made good upon their conversion to Christ in the latter times of the gospel.

When it shall hail, coming down on the forest, Heb. And it shall hail, &c. As my blessings shall be poured down upon my people, who from a wilderness are turned into a fruitful field, as it is said, Isa. 32:15; so my wrath and judgments (which are signified by hail, Isa. 28:2, Isa.

Blessed are ye that sow: as the barren forest shall be destroyed with hail, Isa. 32:19, so the fruitful field shall be improved, and bring forth much fruit; which is signified by a declaration of the blessedness of them that sow in it.