Behold, the days come, saith the Lord
Or, "are coming" {t}; future times are respected; yet such as
would quickly come; five or six hundred years more, and then
would be fulfilled what is after promised. This is ushered in
with a "behold", as being a matter of importance, and deserving
attention, and even as calling for admiration. This is the
principal of the great and mighty things the Lord promised to
show to the prophet, ( Jeremiah
33:3 ) ; even the coming of the Messiah, and what concerns
his person and office: that I will perform that good thing
which I have promised unto the
house of Israel and to the house of Judah;
or, "that good word" F21; that gracious word concerning
Christ and salvation by him; that mercy promised to the fathers;
that good thing that came out of Nazareth: the good Shepherd that
laid down his life for the sheep, preferable to the shepherds
before spoken of: or rather, "that best word" F23; the
positive used for the superlative, as frequent in the Hebrew
language. Many good words or promises are made before, concerning
the spiritual welfare and prosperity of the church; but this is
the best of all; this is the better thing provided for saints
under the Gospel dispensation, and promised to them, who are
meant by the houses of Judah and Israel; for these phrases, as
the Jews themselves allow, show that the words belong to the
times of the Messiah; and which God, that is true and cannot lie,
and who is faithful, that has promised, and is able to perform,
will do.