xxx. 33. _For Tophet is ordained of old, &c._
Some of us have often admired the expression, "Knowing the terrors of
the Lord, we persuade men;" implying that the law of persuasion
should be the law of the Christian pulpit. Some would _alarm_ men,
some would bitterly _rail,_ and others _thunder_ at them; as though
the human heart could never be prevailed upon to capitulate, but must
always be taken by storm. Paul shows us the more excellent way. When
he proclaims "the terrors of the Lord," it is "to persuade men;" to
persuade them to escape the ruin and to accept the remedy. Observe,
he does not hide them, for the truth must be told, sin must be
condemned, the wicked must be warned.
+I. Let us examine the local allusion and literal meaning of this
verse.+ "This allusion to Tophet is the earliest which appears in the
Scriptures. Additional particulars appear in the history of Josiah's
reformation (2 Kings xxiii. 10; Jer. vii. 31). The prophet Isaiah
here represents Tophet as a place prepared for the burning of the
Assyrian king. Made deep and large, with fire and wood in abundance,
prepared for the king, and he being thrown into it, the breath of the
Lord kindles it into fearful conflagration. This is, of course, a
figurative description, Tophet being made the central point in the
figure because it was a well-known place, a valley just outside the
city, the valley of Hinnom, used for burning all the offal and filth
of the city of Jerusalem." Isaiah was commissioned to utter this
prophecy of the overthrow and consuming of the Assyrian army, in
order to inspirit Hezekiah and the people against the threatened
invasion. "Tophet is ordained of old" as that fiery place which would
consume the dead bodies of these unjust invaders. Hence the Chaldee
paraphrase says, "It was called the valley of the carcases and of the
ashes or of the dead bodies for this reason, because the dead bodies
of the camp of the Assyrians fell there;" to which Josephus gives
testimony when he relates that the place was called the Assyrian
camp. What force these recollections would give to our Lord's
threatenings of hell to the Jews who saw the smoke of this valley
always rising before their eyes (compare Isa. lxvi. 24 with Mark
ix. 43-48).
+II. Note some of those solemn and awakening truths suggested by this
verse.+ 1. _The same record which provides for the security of the
Church, provides for the final overthrow of its enemies._ This was
the time of Jacob's extremity; he was saved and his enemies consumed.
2. _In the enjoyment of our highest privileges, we are surrounded by
the most solemn terrors._ Tophet lay not only _near,_ but at the very
foot of Mount Zion. From the heights of Zion might be seen the smoke,
the fire, and the worm in the valley of Tophet! A dreadful thought
this! Hell is set full in our view when worshipping in Zion (1 Pet.
iv. 17, 18). Bunyan says, "So I saw a man may go by profession to
heaven's gate and yet be cast away." Our Lord (Luke xiii. 25).
3. _While no combination of power can shield the wicked, the believer
has always a source of safety and a song of joy._--_Samuel Thodey._