For thou shall break forth on the right hand and on the
left,
&c.] To the south, and to the north, as the Targum, like an
inundation of water, that breaks through and overflows the banks
of the river, and spreads itself in the adjacent countries; or
like a warehouse overstocked with goods, bursts the walls in
which they are pent up; or rather as infants break forth from the
womb at the time of birth, as Pharez did, from whence he had his
name, ( Genesis
38:29 ) see ( Hosea 13:13 ) , or as,
when a country is become exceeding numerous, the inhabitants
break out, and go forth beyond their borders, and seek new
settlements, the place of their abode being too small for them;
so it shall be in the latter day, through the vast number of
converts that will be made; see ( Isaiah 49:19
Isaiah
49:20 ) :
and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles;
where formerly only Heathens lived, there the Gospel of Christ
shall be carried by his apostles and other ministers; and being
succeeded to the conversion of many souls, through the power of
divine grace accompanying it, a spiritual seed, the seed of the
church, shall take place, and dwell there; this was true in the
first ages of Christianity, more especially in Constantine's
time; and will be more fully accomplished in the latter day, when
the fulness of the Gentiles shall be brought in:
and make the desolate cities to be inhabited:
such cities as were destitute of the knowledge of Christ and his
salvation, and of all divine and spiritual things, shall now be
inhabited by spiritual men, such as believe in Christ, and
profess his name; such cities as Rome, Corinth, Ephesus, Colosse,
Philippi, Thessalonica, and many others.