30. Rebuke the company of spearmen, or, “the beasts of the reeds,” as the
margin more correctly renders it. Speak to Egypt; let its growing power and
jealousy be kept in order, by a word from thee. Israel remembers her old enemy,
already plotting the mischief which would break out under Jeroboam, and begs
for a rebuking word from her Omnipotent Friend. Antichrist also needs the
effectual word of the Lord to rebuke its insolence. The multitude of the bulls, the stronger foes, which sought to gore the chosen nation—these also
need the Lord’s rebuke, and will have it too. All Egypt’s sacred bulls could
not avail against a “thus
saith Jehovah.” With the calves of the people. The poorer and baser sort are
equally set on mischief, but the divine voice can control them; multitudes are
as nothing to the Lord when he goes forth in power; whether bulls or calves,
they are but cattle for the butcher when Omnipotence displays itself. The
Gospel, like the ark, has nothing to fear from great or small; it is a stone
upon which everyone who stumbles will be broken. Till every one submit himself with pieces of silver. The Lord is asked to subdue the enemies of
Israel, till they render tribute in silver ingots. Subjection to the Lord of
hosts is liberty, and tribute to him enriches the one who pays it. Pieces of
silver given to God are replaced with pieces of gold. Scatter thou the people that delight in war. So that, notwithstanding the strong expression
of verse 23, God’s people were peacemen, and only desired the crushing of
oppressive nations, that war might not occur again. Let the battles of peace be
as fierce as they will; heap coals of fire on the heads of enemies, and slay
their enmity thereby. “They who
take the sword should perish by the sword” is a just regulation for the establishment of quiet in the earth.
Devoutly may we offer this prayer, and we may bless God that it is sure to be
answered.
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