The Prophet speaks to the Moabites as if he humbly sued unto them in the name of the common people; as if he should say, You are neighbours and of the same blood, I pray you receive and succour the oppressed. If you will not help us, yet at the least harm us not. He brings in Go• speaking, who is wont to put himself in the place of his people, as if he •ooke upon him the person of a suppliant. It is very certain that the Moabites showed none of this kindness to the Jews: nay they rather joined with their enemies to hurt them by all the means they could. This place is worthy our diligent observation, for God here shows the great care he hath over his chosen,1 seeing he is as greatly moved with the wrongs done to them, as with those which are directly against his own Majesty. As in Zechariah he witnesseth, that as oft as his children are oppressed by any, they even touch the apple of his eye, Zacha. 2.8. He sees the tears and hears the groans of the afflicted which call upon him, Psal. 12.5. & 38.9. & 102.20. And howsoever this always comes not to pass in our sight; yet will he show in due season that he hath heard them. Let us then learn from hence to be kind,2 and given to succour poor exiles: especially the faithful, banished from their country for the confession of the truth. For there is no service which God accepts, or allows better then this: as on the contrary, nothing is more displeasing or detestable in his sight, then cruelty and inhumanity. Wherefore if we will feel any refreshing in our calamities, let us show our selves loving and merciful, and not withdraw our help from those that have need. Blessed is he, saith David, which judgeth wisely of the poor and needy, the Lord shall deliver him in the time of trouble, Psal. 41.1. Whereas on the contrary there shall be judgement merciless to him that showeth no mercie, Jam. 2.13. Now in that the Lord calls the Jews here his banished: although this might well be referred to the chastisement, as if he should say, they are indeed driven out of the land of Canaan according as they were oftentimes threatened before:3 yet he therewithal means, that they remain under his protection and safeguard, acknowledging them for his own, although they be chased and banished out of their country.
THe Prophet speakes to the Moabites as if he humblie sued vnto them in the name of the common people; as if he should say, You are neighbours and of the same blood, I pray you receiue and succor the oppressed. If you will not help vs, yet at the least harme vs not. He brings in Go• speaking, who is wont to put himselfe in the place of his people, as if he •ooke vpon him the person of a suppliant. It is very certaine that the Moabites shewed none of this kindnes to the Iewes: nay they rather ioined with their enemies to hurt them by all the meanes they could. This place is worthie our diligent obseruation, for God heere shewes the great care he hath ouer his chosen,1 seeing he is as greatly moued with the wrongs done to them, as with those which are directly against his owne Maiestie. As in Zacharie hee witnesseth, that as oft as his children are oppressed by any, they euen touch the apple of his eye, Zacha. 2.8. He sees the teares and heares the grones of the afflicted which call vpon him, Psal. 12.5. & 38.9. & 102.20. And howsoeuer this alwaies comes not to passe in our sight; yet will he shew in due season that he hath heard them. Let vs then learne from hence to be kinde,2 and giuen to succor poore exiles: especiallie the faithful, banished from their countrey for the confession of the truth. For there is no seruice which God accepts, or allowes better then this: as on the cōtrarie, nothing is more displeasing or detestable in his sight, then crueltie and inhumanitie. Wherefore if we will feele any refreshing in our calamities, let vs shew our selues louing and mercifull, and not withdraw our helpe from those that haue neede. Blessed is he, saith Dauid, which iudgeth wisely of the poore and needie, the Lord shall deliuer him in the time of trouble, Psal. 41.1. Whereas on the cōtrarie there shall be iudgement mercilesse to him that sheweth no mercie, Iam. 2.13. Now in that the Lord calles the Iewes heere his banished: although this might well be referred to the chastisement, as if he should say, they are indeed driuen out of the land of Canaan according as they were oftentimes threatned before:3
- 1A Consolation. God is no less moved with the wrongs d ne to his c•o•n, then wi•h those which are done directly against his own Majesty.A Consolation. God is no lesse moued with the wrongs d ne to his c•o•n, then wi•h those which are done directly against his owne Maiestie.
- 2Be merciful to poor exiles, banished for the truths sake.Be mercifull to poore exiles, banished for the truths sake.
- 3Deut. 28.64.
