SECTION VI. PROPHECIES OF VARIOUS 1. That He should first publish the Gospel in Galilee, the land of Zabulon. Isaiah ix. 1. Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as it was in her vexation, When at the first He lightly afflicted1 the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, 2 And afterward did more grievously afflict [rather, But in the latter time He will make it glorious] Her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. 2.-The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: They that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. 3 2.-That He should work miracles.1 Isaiah xxxv. 5, 6. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, 1 Rather, lightly esteemed, or debased. 2 The affliction here alluded to is, probably, the invasion of Tiglath-Pileser. -2 Kings xv. 29. 3" Galilee of the Nations" was so called because bordered by heathen nations, having even many Arabs, Phoenicians, etc. dwelling in the country, and for which reason also, as well as on account of its remoteness from Jerusalem and the Temple, and from religious privileges and light, they were regarded as "walking in darkness," or ignorance. And that this feeling SECTION VI. EVENTS OF HIS LIFE. Matthew iv. 12-17.-Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, He departed into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea-coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; the people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew xi. 4, 5.-Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in Me. (See also Mark viii. 7-9; 18-21; 22-25; John xi. 32-45; Luke vii. 11-17, etc.) prevailed in the time of our Lord, we find from the objections of the Pharisees against Him in John vii. 52: "Search and look; for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet;" and John i. 46. From the words of Matthew we find that our Lord "began to preach" the peculiar doctrines of His Gospel, repentance and newness of life, in this region, announcing at the same time the approach or commencement of the new Kingdom or Gospel reign. 4 Thirty-six of our Lord's miracles are recorded by the Evangelists. G 4.-Hosannas of the people. Psalm cxviii. 25. Save now, I beseech Thee, O Lord: Oh Lord, I beseech Thee, send now prosperity. 26.-Blessed be He that cometh in the name of th We have blessed you out of1 the house of the Lord 1 Or, you of the house of the Lord.-The Jews refer Messiah. John xii. 14-16.-And Jesus when He had found a young ass sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not daughter of Sion: behold thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. These things understood not His disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things unto Him. (See also Matt. xxi. 6—9.) Matthew xxi. 9.-And the multitudes that went before and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest ! (See also ver. 15, 16.) SECTION VII. PROPHECIES OF HIS CONDITION IN 1.-Of poor and humble condition. Isaiah liii. 2. For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant. And as a root out of a dry ground: He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him. Psalm cix. 22. 1— For I am poor and needy, And my heart is wounded within me. 2.-Sorrowful and afflicted. Isaiah liii. 3. A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. Psalm lxix. 29.2 But I am poor and sorrowful; Let Thy salvation, oh God, set me up on high. Psalm lxxxviii. 3. 3. For my soul is full of troubles : And my life draweth nigh unto the grave. 14.-Lord why castest Thou off my soul? Why hidest Thou Thy face from me? 15.—I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up: While I suffer Thy terrors I am distracted. 1 This Psalm is referred to Messiah by Peter, Acts i. 20; and the fathers so applied it. |