the passage under consideration is obtained, only if the
latter be understood as we have explained it. The _light_, _i.e._, the
salvation of the Lord spoken of there, corresponds with the name of the
Lord in the passage under review. Several interpreters explain: "They
may walk, they may worship their gods. Although all nations should be
idolaters, yet we, inhabitants of Judah, shall faithfully worship
Jehovah." Against this explanation _Caspari_ remarks, "An exhortation,
or a resolution which implies an exhortation, is here not easily
justified, because it would stand in the midst of promises." Moreover,
the [Hebrew: ki] cannot be explained according to this interpretation,
as appears with sufficient clearness from the remark of _Justi_: "This
verse does not seem to be so closely connected with the preceding one."
The connection is more firmly established by the explanation of
_Tarnovius_, _Michaelis_, and others: "Surely so brilliant a lot must
fall to us; for we are faithful worshippers of the true God, while all
other nations walk after their idols." [Pg 452] But the objections to
tins explanation are: (1) the circumstance that it is rather unusual to
found the salvation of the people upon their covenant-faithfulness (of
which, from the preceding reproof, we cannot entertain very high
notions), instead of founding it upon God's grace and faithfulness,
compare vii. 18-20;[3] (2) the repeated use of the Future, while,
according to it, we should have expected the Preterite, at least in the
first member; and (3), and most decisive of all, the expression, "For
ever and ever;" compare the expression, "From henceforth, even for
ever," in ver. 7.

Ver. 6. "_In that day, saith the Lord, I will assemble that which
halteth, and that which hath been driven out I will gather, and that
which I have afflicted._ Ver. 7. _And I make that which is halting a
remnant, and that which is far off a strong nation, and the Lord
reigneth over them in Mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever._"

The expression "in that day" does not refer to "at the end of the
days," in ver. 1, but is connected with, and resumes ver. 4^a That the
verb [Hebrew: asP] has here the signification "to assemble," and not
that "to receive," is shown by ii. 12, and especially by Ezek. xi. 17.
The word refers to the announcement of Israel's being carried away,
which was formerly made, and with which the scattering is connected.
They are assembled for their return to