“Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.”
King. Ezechias or Josias, as figures of Jesus Christ, who is meant. (Calmet) — They and their counsellors only foreshewed the advantages derived from Christ and his apostles in a more abundant manner. (St. Jerome) — Judgment and justice. These words have a higher meaning than what is assigned to them by philosophers. In God, the former implies the preparation of the means for man’s redemption, as the latter does the execution; and in man, judgment denotes the selection of what is right, and justice implies the putting it willingly in practice. Thus Christ will fulfill all that he has graciously purposed, with the two other divine persons; and the princes, his pastors, shall discern what is good for their own and people’s eternal welfare. (Worthington)
“And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. great: Heb. heavy”
Land. Ezechias and Josias were both a defence to their subjects.
“And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken.”
Dim. True prophets shall speak, while false ones shall be silent. (Calmet)
“The heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly. rash: Heb. hasty plainly: or, elegantly”
Plain. Some parts of the prediction relate literally to the Old Testament. But this alludes to the New, when the mysteries of religion are clearly confessed in the Catholic Church. (Worthington) — Even the most illiterate are guided with security, if they will but hear the Church. (Haydock)
“The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful.”
Deceitful. Hebrew, “miser be called liberal,” Luke xxii. 25. These good princes are contrasted with Achaz, who had oppressed his subjects.
“The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right. the needy: or, he speaketh against the poor in judgment”
Vessels. Arms, (Calmet) or all the words and actions of the miser are bent on evil. (Haydock) — The ministers of wicked princes resemble them. (Menochius)
“Rise up, ye women that are at ease; hear my voice, ye careless daughters; give ear unto my speech.”
Women. Great cities. He announces the impending dangers.
“Many days and years shall ye be troubled, ye careless women: for the vintage shall fail, the gathering shall not come. Many: Heb. Days above a year”
Year. After a long time; or the prophet speaks two years before the arrival of Sennacherib, after the vintage was ended, chap. xxx. 20., and 4 Kings xix. 29. (Calmet)
“They shall lament for the teats, for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine. pleasant: Heb. fields of desire”
Mourn. Septuagint, “beat.” (Haydock) — Breasts, suckling infants. In mourning, women beat and uncovered their breasts, which, on any other occasion, would have been deemed very indecent. (Calmet) (Ezechiel xxiii. 34.) (Herodotus ii. 84.)
“Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers; yea, upon all the houses of joy in the joyous city: yea: or, burning upon”
Up. Being uncultivated for two years. This was still more the case during the captivity. (Calmet) — How. Septuagint, “from every house joy shall be taken away, thou rich city.” (Haydock)
“Because the palaces shall be forsaken; the multitude of the city shall be left; the forts and towers shall be for dens for ever, a joy of wild asses, a pasture of flocks; forts: or, clifts and watchtowers”
Ever. Some palaces had been demolished by Sennacherib, though this seems to refer to the Babylonian captivity.
“Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.”
High, as Ezechiel (xxxvii. 10.) saw the dry bones rise again. Under this idea prosperity is frequently described. The rest of the chapter may very well be explained of the propagation of the gospel. — Forest. Carmel was a fertile spot. Judea shall flourish, and Assyria shall be laid waste. The synagogue will be rejected, while the Gentiles, (Calmet) formerly so barren, shall embrace the faith and true piety. (Haydock)
“And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.”
Peace. The just shall enjoy peace, under Ezechias.
“When it shall hail, coming down on the forest; and the city shall be low in a low place. low in: or, utterly abased”
Hail. God’s judgment shall overtake Babylon, or rather Ninive.
“Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass.”
Waters. Fruitful soils, abounding with cattle. (Calmet) — Both Jews and Gentiles shall submit to Christ. (Clement of Alexandria, Strom. vi.) (St. Jerome)