The end of error.
"And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols," etc. After the end of sin, the end of that which leads to sin, viz. of error. This gift completes the previous blessings by making them lasting and sure (comp. Psalms 85:8). This gift also, as we find it described here, is most complete in itself. It is so, whether we consider what is told us
I. THE ACTION OF GOD. It is promised here that he will put an end to error:
1. By abolishing its very symbols. The "names" of idols are the symbols or words by means of which their supposed attributes or connection with different localities are set forth and commemorated; and under which also they are worshipped. Besides numerous classical examples, see in Acts 19:34 how evidently the people of Ephesus considered it as equivalent to a declaration of their faith to repeat the mere name of Diana. What is promised here, therefore, is that it should be eventually with all systems of error as it is now with many of the singular and subtle heresies which vexed the primitive Church. They are so far forgotten by this time that it is a matter of difficult antiquarian research even to ascertain their true meaning.
2. By banishing its teachers. Not only then shall the "tares" of falsehood be "rooted up," but the "enemy" also that sowed them shall be taken away, This, moreover, shall be done so completely that not only the false "prophet," but the "unclean spirit" also, his inspirer and confederate, shall "cease" to exist in the land. Error, therefore, at that happy season, shall be twice dead, as it were; gone altogether beyond recollection; gone also beyond recovery.
II. THE ACTION OF MAN. Even should any persons qualified to act as false prophets be still left in existence (see again 1 Samuel 28:7), there will be two further things effectually to prevent them from making use of their gifts. There will be the extent to which, at that time, the false prophet:
1. Shall be hated by others. He will be hated
2. Despised by himself. For example, he will be ashamed
Whatever the special application of the passage which sets before us such a complete cessation of error, there are two general principles of much importance which seem illustrated thereby.
1. The increasing light of the future. Compared with the past, whether Jewish or pagan, how full of light the dispensation that now is (see Matthew 13:16, Matthew 13:17; Hebrews 11:13; 1 Peter 1:10, 1 Peter 1:11; Acts 17:3; Acts 26:18)! Compared with the future, how full of darkness (1 Corinthians 13:9-12; 1 John 3:2; Colossians 1:12; Revelation 21:23; Revelation 22:4, Revelation 22:5)! Much, indeed, yet remains to be revealed to those described in Psalms 25:14.
2. The great consequent blessedness of the future. What a scene of distraction, with its "many masters" (see Revised Version, James 3:1) and discordant outcries (Matthew 24:23-26), not unlike the scene described in Daniel 7:2, is the present! How profound the tranquillity, how sweet the calm, caused by the cessation of all! Happy, indeed, to have the hope of travelling at last "to where beyond these voices there is peace"!