The ships of Tarshish coming from the extreme end of the European island-region, as the leaders of the fleet brining Lion’s children from afar.
(F. Delitzsch, D. D.)
Missionary ships
The ships of Tarshish, transport-ships, shall lie ready to carry members from far distant regions to the Church, or, which is equivalent, to carry the ministers of the Church to remote parts to preach the Gospel, and to bring in souls to join themselves to the Lord. (M. Henry.)
The enlargement of the Church
I. WHO ARE BROUGHT. “Thy sons,” i.e such as are designed to be so, those “children of God that are scuttled abroad” (Joh_11:52).
II. WHAT THEY SHALL BRING WITH THEM. They live at such a distance that they cannot bring their flocks and their rams; but, like those who live remote from Jerusalem, when they come up to worship at the feast, they shall bring “their silver and their gold with them.” When we give up ourselves to God we must, with ourselves, give up all we have to Him. If we honour Him with our spirits, we will honour Him with our substance.
III. TO WHOM THEY SHALL DEVOTE AND DEDICATE THEMSELVES AND ALL THEY ARE WORTH. To “the name of the Lord thy God;” to God as the Lord of all, and the Church’s God and King, even to the Holy One of Israel, whom Israel worships as a holy One, in the beauty of holiness, “because He hath glorified thee.” The honour God puts upon His Church and people should not only engage us to honour them, but invite us to join ourselves to them. “We will go with you, for God is with you” (Zec_8:23). (C. H.Spurgeon.)
