The Jonathan Edwards Center at Yale University

As in Psalms 96:13, where it is prophesied that God shall come into the world, it cannot be meant any otherwise than by an incarnation. For he could come no otherwise than he has come already [but] by an incarnation, except by a more clear manifestation of his presence by his glorious works. But this great coming of God into the world that was expected must be something else, some visible coming of God upon earth which the prophets expected, which could not be but by an incarnation. For an assumed shape only, without a body, would not answer, for it would not be real; neither, according to the common course, could it be continuing. The judging here spoken of, is meant judging as the judges of Israel, that is, governing: Psalms 67:4, "O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth." Isaiah 9: [Isaiah 9:6–7]; Malachi 3:1–3.