And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks
This was a champaign country about Joppa and Lydda, in which were
rich pastures for herds and flocks, ( 1
Chronicles 27:29 ) , it seems to be a prophecy of the
conversion of some in those parts, which had its accomplishment
in the times of the apostles, ( Acts 9:35 ) , here Christ
had his sheep, and here was a fold for them; or, however, this
may be expressive of the word and ordinances, which are like
Sharon, green and fat pastures, for the flocks of Christ to be
folded and fed in: and the valley of Achor a place for the
herds to lie down in;
which, Aben Ezra says, was round about Jerusalem; but it was the
valley in which Achan was stoned, and because of the trouble he
gave to Israel, and had himself, it was called the valley of
Achor, ( Joshua 7:26 ) , this
the Lord promises shall be given for a door of hope, ( Hosea 2:15 ) and such
the word and ordinances are, where Christ causes his church and
people to lie down and rest, ( Song of
Solomon 1:7 Song of
Solomon 1:8 ) ( Psalms 23:2 ) and which
are an earnest and pledge of future glory and happiness, and give
hope thereof; are the firstfruits of it, as the valley of Achor
is said to be the first place the children of Israel set footing
on, when they had passed over Jordan; it lay to the north of
Jericho, over against Ai: for my people that have sought
me;
with their whole hearts, being first sought and found by him;
(See Gill on Isaiah
65:1).