50:17 Israel [is] a scattered sheep; the lions have driven [him] away: first the king of {r} Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon hath broken his {s} bones.
(r) Meaning Tiglath-pilesar who carried away the ten tribes.
(s) He carried away the rest, that is Judah and Benjamin.
50:17 Israel - The whole twelve tribes. Lions - Enemies cruel as lions had carried them into captivity.
50:8-20 The desolation that shall be brought upon Babylon is set forth in a variety of expressions. The cause of this destruction is the wrath of the Lord. Babylon shall be wholly desolated; for she hath sinned against the Lord. Sin makes men a mark for the arrows of God's judgments. The mercy promised to the Israel of God, shall not only accompany, but arise from the destruction of Babylon. These sheep shall be gathered from the deserts, and put again into good pasture. All who return to God and their duty, shall find satisfaction of soul in so doing. Deliverances out of trouble are comforts indeed, when fruits of the forgiveness of sin.
