Remember this
Or "these things", as the Syriac version, concerning the matter
of which, and the manner in which idols are made; their impotency
to move themselves, and their inability to help their votaries,
and the difference between them and the true God: and show
yourselves men;
and not brutes, as the makers and worshippers of images are, or
show themselves as if they were; who unmanly themselves, and act
contrary to the natural reason of mankind: or "be ye strong"
F17; so the Targum and Jarchi; fortify
yourselves against all temptations to idolatry, and against all
the arguments and persuasions of idolaters; or "burn ye"
F18 or "be ye inflamed", so Rabenu Hal
and Joseph Kimchi; that is, blush and be ashamed at such
sottishness and stupidity, as men when they are ashamed look as
if their faces were inflamed; so the Vulgate Latin version
renders it, "be ye confounded" F19; or the sense is, be fervent
in spirit, be fired F20 with zeal for God and his glory,
and with indignation against such gross idolatry: bring it
again to mind, O ye transgressors;
of the law of God, in this instance of idolatry; meaning either
the Babylonians, or rather the Jews, who had been drawn in by
them to idolatrous practices; calling upon them to return to
their senses; to use and exercise their reason; to recollect and
reconsider things, and observe and repent of the folly and
wickedness they had been guilty of.
F17 (wvvath) "roborat vos", Pagninus, Tigurine version; so Ben Melech interprets the word.
F18 Ardete, "comburite vos", some in Vatablus.
F19 "Confundamini", V. L. "et erubescite", Calvin.
F20 "Incendimini sive corripimini zelo", Vitringa.
