Light. The faithful are exhorted to take courage, while the Romans will destroy the rebellious Jews, (ver. 11.; Calmet) and the wicked shall dwell in hell fire. (Menochius) CHAPTER L. Lord. He speaks of the redemption of mankind, under the allegory of the return from captivity. Alone, and gave him children when he was grown old, and Sara barren. I can surely save you likewise. (Calmet) --- The example of these great progenitors is set before the Jews. Thus St. Paul says: Remember your prelates, Hebrews xiii. (Worthington) Nations. This was verified when the Bible was translated into Greek, and still more by the preaching of the gospel. Just. Christ, prefigured by Cyrus, whose empire was very mild, chap. xliv. 28. Fail. Matthew xxiv. 35. The prosperity of the Jews was not of long duration. But the Church will remain till the end of time. Proud. Hebrew, "Rahab," Pharao, king of Egypt, Job xxvi. 12., and Ezechiel xxix. 3. (Calmet) --- God drowned in the water, which had retired for Israel. He will thus destroy the devil. (Worthington) CHAPTER LI. Oppressor. If thou hadst not abandoned God, thou wouldst have had no reason to fear Nabuchodonosor; and his power is now gone. Fail. Cyrus shall quickly restore the Jews to their country. He shall not lay waste the provinces, like many conquerors. People. This may refer to Isaias, Cyrus, &c., as figures of Christ, chap. xlix. 1. He has bestowed greater favours on Christians than Cyrus did on the Jews, opening the kingdom of heaven to true believers, &c., Ephesians ii. 19. Dregs. Take courage: Babylon's turn is come, ver. 23. (Calmet) Two. War and famine cause desolation and destruction. (Worthington) --- Jerusalem was reduced to the greatest misery in the last siege under Nabuchodonosor, Lamentations iv. 3. (Calmet) Ox, oryx. Hebrew Thua, Deuteronomy xiv. 5. (Haydock) --- Many accounts respecting it are fabulous. Some understand a sort of wolf, mentioned by Pliny, [Natural History?] viii. 34. Septuagint, "like beet half boiled." Over. This inhumanity was not uncommon, Josue x. 24., and Psalm cix. 1. Thee. Judea was no more laid waste by its ancient enemies. The persecution of Epiphanes did not continue long. Many have attacked the Church; but they cannot overcome her, nor will she cease to preach the truth, and to continue pure and holy. Money. The Chaldeans acted impolitically in leaving the country without inhabitants, and Cyrus will derive no immediate advantage from your return. (Calmet) --- The Jews had not injured the Chaldeans, nor mankind the devil. But both had offended God, who out of mercy paid their ransom. (Worthington) Assyrian. Pharao, (Sa; Tirinus) or rather Nabuchodonosor, (Calmet) and the princes of Assyria, who acted tyrannically. (Haydock) Long, by the Chaldeans, weak Jews, and strangers, who misconstrue my conduct towards my people, and represent it as the effect of injustice, or of weakness. Here. Jesus Christ appears, the Redeemer foretold so long before. Peace. He come like a conqueror to save his people. It may also be applied to the prophets and apostles, (Calmet) as St. Paul explains it, Romans x. 15. (Menochius) Watchmen, prophets. The angels sung at the birth of Christ, Luke ii. 14. Arm. The Saviour, Luke i. 51. Lord, the Levites departing from Babylon, 1 Esdras i. 7., and Numbers iii. 6., and iv. 5., &c. (Calmet) --- St. Paul proves hence that communication with infidels in spiritual things is always unlawful, 2 Corinthians vi. 17. (Worthington) Servant, Christ. In vain do the Jews attempt to apply this to any other. It is wonderful that Grotius should follow their steps, and understand Jeremias to be meant; though elsewhere he allows that the prophet speaks only of the Messias. (De Verit. v. 19.) --- This author [Grotius] has been of great prejudice to religion. The Chaldean and many modern Jews have been compelled by evidence to apply this to the Messias. See Geir., &c. Jesus was pleased to assume the form of a servant, Philippians ii. 7. Of men, who have disfigured the countenance of our Saviour with buffets, &c. The Jews would not receive him under this abject form, though it had been foretold equally with his elevation. (Calmet) Sprinkle with baptism, (Haydock) and his manifold graces. (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "so many nations shall wonder at him." (Haydock) --- Mouth, out of reverence. How many great princes have submitted to his yoke? (Calmet) --- Beheld. The Gentiles (Menochius) embrace the faith, at the sight of Christ's miracles. (Calmet)