John Gill Commentary Isaiah 23:18

"And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to Jehovah: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before Jehovah, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing." — Isaiah 23:18 (ASV)

And her merchandise, and her hire
Or, "but her merchandise" not the same as before; or, however, not as carried on at the same time, but many ages after, even in the times of the Gospel; for this part of the prophecy respects the conversion of the Tyrians, in the first ages of Christianity; this is prophesied of elsewhere, (Psalms 45:12) (87:4) and was fulfilled in the times of the apostles, (Acts 11:19) (Acts 21:3Acts 21:4) and so Kimchi and Jarchi say this is a prophecy to be fulfilled in the days of the Messiah ^F13 ;

and then the trade of this people, and what they got by it, should be holiness to the Lord ; that is, devoted, at least, great part of it, to holy uses and service; that is, in defraying of all expenses in carrying on the worship of God, for the maintenance of Gospel ministers, and for the supply and support of the poor saints:

it shall not be treasured, nor laid up : in order to be laid out in pride and luxury; or to be kept as useless, to gratify a covetous disposition; or for posterity to come:

for her merchandise shall be laid up for them, that dwell before
the Lord ; part of what should be gained by trading, at least, should be laid by for religious uses, as is directed, (1 Corinthians 16:1) even for the relief of poor saints in general, who assemble together before the Lord, for the sake of his worship; and particularly for the support of the ministers of the Gospel, who stand before the Lord, and minister in holy things, in his name, to the people:

to eat sufficiently ; that they may have food convenient for them, and enough of it; or, in other words, have a sufficient maintenance, a comfortable supply of food for themselves and families, and raiment also; as follows: and for durable clothing ; that they may have a supply of clothing, and never want a coat to put upon their backs.

This prophecy, as it belongs to Gospel times, is a proof of the maintenance of Gospel ministers, that they ought to be liberally provided for; and care should be taken that they want not food and raiment, but have a fulness and sufficiency of both, and that which is convenient for them.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F13: So in Midrash, Kohelet, fol. 62. 3.