Commentary of Charles Spurgeon, Adam Clarke & Matthew Henry
Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous
whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked.
The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till
he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye
shall consider it perfectly.
I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.
But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my
words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from
the evil of their doings.
Vs.19-22
I have not sent these prophets - they
never had any mission from God.
---They were not only not sent by Him on this
errand, but they were never sent by Him on any errand; He never had employed
them in any service or business for Him; and, as to this matter, whereas they
pretended to have instructions from him to assure this people of peace, he
declares that He never gave them any such instructions. Yet they were very
forward—they ran; they were very bold—they prophesied without
any of that difficulty with which the true prophets sometimes struggled.
I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. — The churches
which have legal emoluments are ever in danger of being overrun and ruined by worldly and self-interested priests.
The prophets themselves
must try the spirits by the touchstone of the law and of the testimony, as well
as those to whom they prophesy;
--- If they had stood in my counsel, as they
pretend,
--- They would have made the scriptures their standard: They would
have caused my people to hear my words, and would have conscientiously kept
closely to them. But, not speaking according to that rule, it is a plain
evidence that there is no light in them.
--- They would have made the conversion
of souls their business, and would have aimed at that in all their preaching.
Those that are resolved to go on in their evil ways will justly be given
up to believe the strong delusions of those who tell them that they shall have
peace though they go on.