But the time of Israel’s spiritual restoration requires some explanation, being adverted to in this and the following chapter ten times at least, with the definite expression of “_in that day_:” an expression which seems as little to accord with the time required for a whole nation or people to change their faith, as with that which would be requisite for their literal return from all parts of the world to be reunited in one city, as the Jews understand the prophecy. A literal day cannot therefore be understood; nor yet would the difficulty be removed by supposing it to mean a prophetic day, or a Jewish year of twelve months, being three hundred and sixty days; for this period would be alike inadequate to the event in question. How shall we then understand the expression, “_that day_,” so often recurring in the prophecy? The answer appears to be simply this, that it means _one_ day to _each individual_, but not _the same day_ to _all collectively_. As the earlier Christians did not all embrace Christianity on one day, so neither have we reason to expect that the later Christians will do so. History declares to the contrary, that some of the house of Israel have been continually flowing into the Church of Christ in every succeeding century, from the Apostolic age to the present time. And as some understand the Day of Judgment to be to each individual the day of his death, so to each will the day of his “_Redemption_,” in Scriptural language, be the day of his receiving Christ. St. Paul in the 2 Corinth. vi. 2, says “_Behold now is the accepted time, now is the day of Salvation_,” and in the same light must it be viewed in the passages before us; that is, as one day to each individually, not as the same day to all collectively. The opening of this chapter closely resembles that of the 9th, and may help to throw light on those parts of it which appeared obscure. Both begin by declaring God’s superintendance and control over human affairs, and both assert his right to the disposal of events on similar grounds: there it was alleged, because all creatures belong to him, _for the Lord’s is the eye of man, and all the tribes of Israel_; and here, because he created all things. _The burden of the word of the Lord upon Israel, saith the Lord, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundations of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him._ There, the burden of the prophecy was laid on the Gentiles, but the admonition meant for the benefit of Israel, to whom it was addressed; here, the burden is upon Israel, but the admonition expressly intended for all nations, “_all the people round about_;” and of such was the new Jerusalem, which is the subject of this chapter, chiefly composed after the overthrow of their idolatry and their conversion to Christianity. This appears to be the spiritual warfare here intended, namely, the successful progress of the Gospel against Paganism.