hat it must have a different destination. Whilst
the threatening was intended chiefly for the ungodly, it has, just as
much as the preceding pure promise, the truly godly members of the
Theocracy also in view, and aims at strengthening them in the manifold
temptations into which they must fall, in consequence of the sufferings
which [Pg 465] always come upon them also at the same time, on account
of their outward, and therefore also their inward, connection with the
wicked.

A glance at the great catastrophes, which were to precede the
appearance of Christ, was here just in its proper place. In the
preceding context, the prophet had mentioned the restoration of the
former dominion. Here, he describes how the dominion is lost ("There is
no king in thee," ver. 9), and what shall happen during the period of
this loss. He then further details, in v. 1 (2) sq., in what manner the
dominion is to be restored.

It is a threefold suffering, joined with deliverance from it, which
presents itself to the prophet in his inward vision, and which he
describes accordingly. This is evident from the three-fold [Hebrew:
eth], compare vers. 9, 11, 14, which, each time, indicates when a new
scene presents itself to the prophet. This, further, appears from the
different character which each one bears. In the case of the
announcement in vers. 9 and 10, viz., the carrying away to Babylon, it
is alone the Lord's hand which delivers His people. In the calamity
described in vers. 11-13, He grants to Israel courage in war, and
victory to his _arms_. The plans of the enemies to destroy Zion are
frustrated, while in the former calamity they succeeded. In ver. 14,
Zion is anew represented as sorely pressed by enemies, and captured by
them. According to v. 1, which is closely connected with what precedes,
the deliverance is accomplished by the Messiah, in whom the promise of
the restoration of the dominion of the house of David over the daughter
of Zion is fulfilled.

* * * * *

Ver. 9. "_Now why dost thou raise a cry? Is there no king in thee, or
is thy councillor gone? For pangs have seized thee as a woman in
travail._"

Zion, mourning at the time of the carrying away into captivity, stands
before the prophet's spirit, and is addressed by him. This ought never
to have been overlooked. But since, nevertheless, it has been so, we
quote from the multitude of analogous instances, at least one which is
altogether inc