Lecture 21

^2:21^ Sin. The child and the old man lie without on the ground: my virgins and my young men are fallen by the sword: you have slain them in the day of your wrath: you have killed, and shown them no pity.

43. Here he presents the universality of the punishment; and concerning this, he does three things.

First, he presents the punishment common to all: the child and the old man lie, dead or fallen; without, that is, in the streets, or outside the city. With you I will break in pieces the old man and the child, the young man and the virgin (Jer 51:22).

Second, the indignation of the one who punishes: you have slain, by your authority, although by the hand of the Chaldeans. I have trampled on them in my indignation, and have trodden them down in my wrath (Isa 63:3).

Third, he excludes mercy: **you have killed, and shown them no pity. I will kill and I will make to live (Deut 32:39). He strikes, and his hands shall heal; in six troubles he shall deliver you, and in the seventh, evil shall not touch you (Job 5:18–9).