Be still, and know that I [am] God
These words are thought by some to be spoken by the Lord to the
nations of the world, to "cease from war", as the Targum renders
the words; or from going up any more against Jerusalem, as Jarchi
interprets them; and that they were spoken to them before the
breaking of their bows as Aben Ezra observes; or that they are an
exhortation to them to cease from their evil works, and know that
the Lord is God, and has power to raise up and to make low;
which, is Kimchi's sense of the words: but they are rather a
continuation of the church's address to the fearful among them,
as before to behold the works of the Lord, so here to hearken to
what he says, as follows, "be still"; not that they should be
like sticks and stones, stupid, indolent, and unconcerned at the
commotions that were in the earth, and be unaffected with the
judgments of God, and be wholly silent and inactive; but that
they should not be fearful, nor fretful and impatient, or
restless and tumultuous; but be quiet and easy, resigned to the
will of God, and live in an assured expectation of the appearance
of divine Providence in their layout. And "know"; own and
acknowledge that he is God, a sovereign Being that does
whatsoever he pleases; that he is unchangeable in his nature,
purposes, promises, and covenant; that he is omnipotent, able to
help them and deliver them at the last extremity; that he is
omniscient, knows their persons, cases, and troubles, and how and
where to hide them till the storm is over; that he is the all
wise God, and does all things after the counsel of his own will,
and makes all things work together for good to them; and that he
is faithful to his word and promise, and will not suffer them to
be overpressed and bore down with troubles. Who further says for
their encouragement, and is to be hearkened to in it,
I will be exalted among the Heathen;
with or in the conversion of the Gentiles; when the kingdoms of
this world shall become Christ's, and all nations shall come and
worship before him, ( Revelation
11:15 Revelation
11:17 ) ( 15:4 ) .
Or in the destruction of the Gentiles; the Papists, the
antichristian states; which will cause great rejoicings,
hallelujahs, and attributions of honour and glory to him, (
Revelation 16:5
Revelation 16:6 ) (
Revelation 19:1
Revelation 19:2 ) ; so
Jarchi interprets the words, "I will be exalted", (ytmqub) , "in my vengeance"; that I
will take upon the Heathen;
I will be exalted in the earth;
now Christ is exalted in heaven at the right hand of God, before
long he will be exalted in the earth, where he was despised and
rejected, crucified and slain; he will be King over all the
earth; his dominion will be from one end of it to the other; his
tabernacle will be among men; and his people, as kings and
priests, will reign with him on earth; by whom he, and he alone,
will be exalted in the dignity of his person and offices, and,
especially in his kingly office, ( Zechariah
14:9 ) ( 9:10 ) (
Revelation 21:3 ) (
5:10 ) ( Isaiah 2:17 ) . The
consideration of which may serve to remove fears and dismayings
of mind under present troubles.