For after all these things do the Gentiles
seek,
&c.] Or "the nations of the world", as in ( Luke 12:30 ) . The
Syriac reads it so here: the phrase, (Mlweh twmwa) "the nations of the world", is used
of the Gentiles, in distinction from the Israelites, thousands of
times in the Jewish writings; it would be endless to give
instances. These knew not God, nor acknowledged his providence;
the greater part of them thought, that the soul perished with the
body; few of them thought, that anything remained after death;
and they that did, spoke very doubtfully of it: wherefore it is
no wonder, that such persons should greedily seek after, and be
anxiously concerned for all these things, food, raiment, and
riches, and a great plenty of them; since this is all the
happiness they expect; and imagine, that this is to be acquired
by their care, thought, diligence, and industry; having no regard
to a superior being, and his all wise providence: but for the
Jews, and so Christians, who have a divine revelation, the
knowledge of God, and his providence, and of a future state after
this life, to act the same part the Heathens do, is exceedingly
unbecoming, absurd, and wicked: and besides, such greedy desires,
immoderate care, and anxious solicitude, are altogether
unnecessary;
for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all
these
things.
Every word almost, carries in it an argument, to strengthen the
faith of God's children, to encourage them to believe, that he
will bestow upon them, whatever is needful, for meat, drink, and
clothing: he is a "father", and will take care of his children;
"their father"; they have interest in him, being related to him,
and need not doubt of his paternal care, and affectionate regard
to them: their "heavenly" Father, or their Father in heaven; who
has all things at his command, who sits there, and does whatever
he pleaseth on earth: "he knoweth that they have need"; he knows
all things, all their straits, difficulties, wants and
necessities; he knows they need every day, "all these things",
food and raiment, and cannot do without them: and therefore they
may depend upon it, that as it is in his power to relieve them,
and their persons and cases are not unknown to him; he who stands
in the relation of a father to them, will supply them with
whatever is proper and convenient for them.