Commentary on Isaiah, Commentary on Isaiah · Chapter 18
THE XVIII. CHAPTER.
Verſ. 1. Oh the land ſhadowing with wings, which is beyond the riuer of Ethiopia.
I Cannot affirme of what people Iſaiah ſpeakes; although it be apparent enough that it was ſome coū try bordering vponupon Ethiopia. Some refer it to the whole land of Egypt; but without any good probabilitie, ſeeing he makes a particular treatiſe thereof in the Chapter following: and therefore wee muſt vnderſtand this as ſpoken to a people ſeparate from the Egyptians. Many ſuppoſe that it ſhould be the Troglod…tes; which yet ſeemes not very likely, becauſe they had no familiaritie with other nations: for their ſpeech (as the Coſmographers teſtifie, was rather a whiſtling or h…ſſing, then any diſtinct ſound of words. But as touching theſe here mentioned, it is plaine that they had both ſociety and league with other nations. Yet is it vncertaine whether they conſpired againſt the Iewes or no, or whether they ioyned with the Egyptiās to make war vponupon the Aſſyrians. If they were the open aduerſaries of the Iewes, then Iſaiah denounceth their puniſhment. But contrariwiſe, if they did feede the Iewes with deceitfull promiſes, he ſhewes that they were to expect no ſuccour from them; becauſe they did nothing but entertaine time with their friuolous meſſages. How euer it be, we may gather by that which he ſpeakes of the nations neere adioyning, which he will name in this Chapter, in what place this people was ſeated; to wit, very neere vntounto Egypt and Ethiopia. Vnleſſe any had rather affirme, that it is meant of part of the ſea coaſt of Ethiopia;Chap. 37.9. becauſe it will appeare by the 37. Chapter of this booke, that the Aſſyrians had warre with the King of Ethiopia. Now when it is ſaid, that this land makes a ſhadow with wings, it appeares that the ſea was nigh vntounto it; ſo as it became rich in regard of much nauigation. For ſmall and poore regions cannot frequent nor occupie in ſtrange Countries. His meaning is then, that this people vſed to traffique much by ſea.
Verſ. 2. Sending Ambaſſadours by the ſea, euen in veſſels of*Or, ru…e…. reedes vponupon the waters, ſaying; Goe yee ſwift meſſengers, to a nation that is ſcattered abroad and ſpoiled, to a terrible people from their beginning euen hitherto; a nation by little and little, euen trodden vnderunder foot,On euerie ſide. whoſe land the floods hauehave ſpoiled.
THis is properly to bee referrred to the ſtate of thoſe times. It ſeemes that this people had ſolicited the Egyptians, or Syrians, to vexe the Iewes: or elſe that the Aſſyrians vſed them to moleſt the Country of Iudea; or, that they were companions of the Egyptians, ioyning hand in hand to beate backe the Aſſyrians, leſt they ſhould wax too ſtrong and mightie. We can affirme nothing but by way of coniecture, becauſe all hiſtories are ſilent in this behalfe. Seeing then that we want witneſſes in this caſe, we muſt vſe probable coniectures. It is very likely that theſe iournies were not taken in hand to goe to ſome place neere vntounto them, but farre off. Whereas hee calles them ſhips of ruſhes, wee are not to thinke it ſtrange; becauſe it appeares by ancient hiſtories, that the Egyptians commonly vſed ſuch veſſels by ſea, in regard that Nilus is ſo ſteepe and dangerous to thoſe that ſaile in it in ſome places, by reaſon of the height from whence the waters doe violently fall; (which they call Catadupes) that it is impoſſible to bring ſhips of wood that way, without breaking & renting them vponupon the rockes. And therefore they are conſtrained to vſe little pliable veſſels. And leſt the water ſhould enter in and drowne them, the hiſtories ſay, that theſe ſhips were lined with pitch in the inſides of them.
Goe yee ſwift postes.] This place is obſcure; yet will I follow that interpretation which I take to be moſt probable. The Prophet ſhews the end of his prophecie; that is to ſay, why he foretold the deſtruction of this people; to wit, (if we take them for the ſworne enemies of the Iewes) to bring ſome conſolation to the faithfull, which were miſerablie ſcattered and diſperſed, that by receiuing this good tidings, they might reioyce and giuegive thanks vntounto God. But if any had rather ſay that the Iewes were drawne by this nation to an vnlawfull league, then this exhortation is by way of deriding them, ſo as he rebukes the follie of the elect people, who forſooke God to depend vponupon vaine and friuolous ſuccors. For whereas ſome attribute theſe words vntounto God, as if he ſhould command theſe nations inhabiting neere the ſea to haſten to the deſtruction of the Iewes: I ſee not how it ſhould agree to the ſenſe of the text. Neither is there any more appearance in that which others thinke, to wit, that by the words following the Prophet ſ…te forth the deſtruction of this obſcure and vnknowne people, becauſe that by the ſpoiled people hee meanes the Iew…s, which ſhould be vexed and ſcattered after a ſtrange maner, ſo as no part amongſt them whatſoeuer ſhould remaine ſafe.
He calles them a terrible nation, becauſe they ſhould be an aſtoniſhment to all thoſe that ſhould behold them, being disfigured with ſuch horrible calamities. For I cannot approue of their iudgement who expound this of ſignes and wonders which the Lord ſhewed amongſt the Iewes to make them feared of all: he hath regard rather to that place of Moſes where it is ſaid, The Lord ſhall make thee an aſtoniſhment and a wonder, Deut. 28.28.37: alſo, the nodding of the head, and a prouerb and deriſion is vſed in other places, Iere. 18.16. & 19.8. & 25.18. He ſignifies a people then whoſe ſight ſhall be ſo fearefull, that they ſhall be an aſtoniſhment vntounto all: and we know that as this was foretold, ſo alſo did it come to paſſe to the Iewes.
When it is ſaid on eueryevery ſide, it is as much as if one ſhould draw lines, and that they ſhould be ſo well knit together, as there ſhould no place be left emptie betweene them: or as if an husbandman made ſuch furrowes in his field, that he leaues not one clot of earth vnturned vp, or broken. Thus was this people beaten downe and broken.
By the floods, he meanes a great armie of enemies, to wit, or the Aſſyrians. Now he alludes to that which he ſaid before in the 8. Chapter, verſ. 6. to wit, that the people being diſcontented with their little riuer Shilo, deſired rather roaring and violent waters. After then that they had called thē forth for their ſuccor, they were ouerwhelmed by them as with a deluge. So that the cauſe of all this ill ſucceſſe was for that they cōtented not themſelues with Gods promiſes, but ſought out ſtrange helps. If now then this commandement giuen to the ſwift posts be taken as frō the perſon of God; thence we gather that he doth not alwaies aſſiſt his elect at the firſt brunt, but withholds his help till things be growne to a deſperate eſtate. For he ſends not a ioyfull and happie meſſage to thoſe that were in ſafetie, or to thoſe that were onlie lightlie touched with the rod, but to a nation ſpoyled and trodden vnderunder foote: yet in that he commands them to hasten, his meaning is, that the iudgement ſhall be ſudden and vnlooked for; ſo as light ſhall ſhine out of darknes (as it were) euen in a moment.
Verſ. 3. All yee the inhabitants of the world and dwellers in the earth ſhall ſee when he ſetteth vp a ſigne in the mountaines, and when he bloweth the trump, ye ſhall heare.
HE ſhewes that this worke of God ſhall be ſo excellent, that the Iewes ſhall not only perceiue it, but all the inhabitants of the world alſo. Theſe words which are put in the future tence, are by ſome tranſlated in the Imperatiue, according to the ſcripture phraſe: but it agrees beſt to take it in the time to come. As if he ſhould ſay, euen the people farre off ſhal …e witneſſes of this calamitie: becauſe all ſhall behold th… ſt…ndard, and ſhall heare trumpets ſounding thorowout the world. And hence it ſhall appeare, that this warre was not raiſed vp by men; but that God himſelfe will ſhew that he is the only author of it, and that by excellent witneſſes. When warres are made eueryevery man diſcernes what is done openlie: but the greater part of men attribute both the beginnings and iſſues thereof vntounto fortune. Iſaiah contrariwiſe ſhewes, that all theſe things ought to be attributed vntounto God, becauſe he will plainely manifeſt his power by a new and extraordinarie meanes: for he works ſo ſometime, that his hand is hidden, and his worke vnknowne vntounto men, And ſometimes againe he ſhewes his power in ſuch wiſe that eueryevery one is conſtrained to acknowledge it, and that is it which the Prophet meant to ſay in this place.
Verſ. 4. For ſo the Lord ſaid vntounto me, I will reſt and behold in my tabernacle as the heate drying vp the raine, and as a cloud of dew in the heate of harueſt.
AFter he hath threatned the deſtruction of the Ethiopians or of their neighbours; and hauing therewithall ſhewed that great conſolation ſhould thereby redound to the Iewes; or elſe by way of a flout hauing derided the fooliſh confidence which deceiued them: now he addes that God will ſo moderate theſe confuſions, that he will in the end gather his choſen people vntounto himſelfe. The particle Ci, which I hauehave tranſlated Furthermore, is ſometime put for ſhewing the cauſe; ſometimes aduerſatiuelie. But the latter ſenſe in this place ſeemes to agree beſt: the reaſon is, becauſe the Prophet preuents a doubt which might otherwiſe hauehave greatly troubled the conſciences of the weake. For when wee ſee things in an vproare, there is a vaile forthwith ſpread as it were ouer our eyes▪ which takes away from vsus the ſight of God… prouidence: for the eſtate of this people whoſe deſtruction he threatens was ſuch, that this propheſie might ſeeme a fable or matter of ſcorne: for (as we may collect) there was no danger nor change to be expected.
Some referre this to the perſon of Iſaiah, as if he ſatisfied himſelfe, by depending vpō that which God had reuealed vntounto him: that is to ſay, as if hee had now quieted and ſetled his minde; which indeed wee ought to doe after we hauehave heard the voyce af God, waiting aſſuredly for the accompliſhment of that which is foretold vsus. As Abacuk ſaith; I will ſtand in my watch-tower: Abac: 2.1. But I rather think, that the Prophet recites that which the Lord6 had reuealed vntounto him, and that the Lord himſelfe pronounceth this ſentence with his own mouth: as if he ſhould ſay, I will rest; that is, I will hold me ſtill and do nothing: for the word alſo ſignifies to See. Now hee which lookes earneſtly, acts nothing; but onelyonly contents himſelfe with beholding that hee ſees with pleaſure and delight.
Hereunto ſerues alſo the word Tabernacle; as if the Lord ſhould reſt himſelfe on …he roofe of an houſe: … on the contrary, hee is ſaid to aſcend into his iudgement ſeate, when he auengeth himſelfe vponupon the wicked behauiours of the vnbeleeuers: for theſe phraſes of ſpeech are fitted to our capacitie. Vnleſſe any had rather affirme, that the Prophet alludes to the Sanctuarie: ſo as howſoeuer the maieſtie of the Lord may ſeeme to be hidden for a time from this afflicted people, yet ſhould not his reſt be vtterly without fruit. The ſumme of all is this; that howſoeuer all things ſhould be cōfounded, ſo as one might imagine that God would meddle no more with the gouernement of the world; yet doth he take his eaſe on this wiſe, as you would ſay of ſet purpoſe, euen as if hee were ſhut vp, and fallen aſleepe in a chamber, minding to manifeſt the fruite of this his rest in due ſeaſon.
As the heate drying up.] Iſaiah doth yet better expreſſe that which hee hath ſaid before, by this ſimilitude. Wee may apply it to the Prophets meaning two waies. Firſt, as if God being awaked out of his ſleep, wold ſhew ſuch a gracious coūtenance as ſhould reioyce the harts of the faithful or, as if he would reuiue and quicken them by watering them with ſweet ſhowers: and thus the Prophet ſhould ſhew a diuers ſucceſſe. There may be alſo a cloſe oppoſition, whereby he admoniſheth, that when God ſhall be thought to take his eaſe, and behold things heere below as it were careleſly; that euen then hee may as it were ſport himſelfe in executing his iudgements. Truely becauſe the two verſes following are conioyned with this, it ſeemes that Iſaiah would ſay; Howſoeuer God ſhewes not himſelfe carefull after the maner of men, neither runnes with violent heat to take vengeance; yet hath he ſecret meanes in his hands to execute his iudgements, and yet in the meane while neuer ſtir his leaſt finger. It may be alſo, that hee meant to ſhew that God would vſe an extraordinarie meanes in rooting out this people. But that which I touched erewhile may ſuffice; to wit, that whileſt men are beſotted with proſper…ie, and drunken in their delights, thinking that God hath no more to doe with them; euen then their deſtruction is at hand. The reaſon is, becauſe God is able with his onelyonly looke to caſt down all the forces and preparations of the whole world. And therefore he ſaith, he will be like to a faire bright day, and to the heate, drying vp the raine: ſecondly, to a watriſh cloud, in the hotteſt day of ſummer. Now wee know that ſuch a raine is very fit to ripen fruits; and that the heate comming after the raine, brings them forward and makes them ſwell; becauſe it diſperſeth all the moiſture that is in them, by the force of his heate.
This it it then which the Prophet meant to ſay, that howſoeuer many miſeries and calamities be prepared for the reprobates, yet all things notwithſtanding falles out for a while as they would wiſh;The wicked are neere to their ruine then, when they thinke themſelues moſt ſecure. ſo as they ſeeme the onelyonly happy men in the world; no otherwiſe then if God meant to ſati…ſfie them to the full with the …ſt of his benefits. But in concluſion, they ſhall finde that they were onelyonly fatted vp, as Oxen for the ſlaughter: for they ſhall periſh in an inſtant, and that euen then, when they ſeemed to bee come to the very top of their happineſſe. Whence wee may learn, that we are not to iudge of Gods iudgements according to outward appearance: for when the wicked thinke themſelues moſt ſecure, then their ruine & ouerthrow is at the doores. Thus doth he comfort the faithfull in very fit ſeaſon, leſt they ſhould thinke the vnbeleeuers more happy then themſelues, becauſe God winked at their faults: for albeit hee ſeemes to cocker them whom hee ſo forbeares, yet will he quickely bring them to deſtruction.
Now we are to apply theſe things to theſe miſerable and troubleſome times wherein the perſecuting tyrants of the Church hauehave their full ſwinge, abounding in all wealth;A conſolation for the Church. bringing their enterpriſes to paſſe no leſſe then if all things were in their owne power: why ſo? becauſe they ſurpaſſe all others in ſtrength, counſel, and policie. But let vsus know for certaine, that all theſe things are brought to paſſe by the determinate counſell of God, who is contented to let them goe on forward with their deliberations, and lets them proſper: that ſo he may at the laſt deſtroy and vtterly cut them off. I am not ignorant that ſome others draw the words of the Prophet to another ſenſe: but I hope, that whoſoeuer ſhall wiſely conſider the whole context, will eaſily ſubſcribe to mine expoſition.
Verſ. 5. For afore the haruest, when the flower is finiſhed, and the fruit is ripening in the flower, then he ſhal cut downe the branches with hookes; and ſhall take away, and cut off the boughes.
WOrd for word it is, For the preſence of the harueſt: but we muſt a little mitigate the ſharpneſſe of the words. The Prophets meaning is not obſcure: for when haruest drawes neere, and that grapes be ripe, the wicked ſhall finde themſelues diſappointed, and that ſuddenly of their whole reuenue; in hope whereof they meant to glad themſelues. Thus hee goes on ſtill with the ſame matter, and confirmes that which hee ſpake before by the former ſimilitudes; to wit, that the wicked are not ouerthrowne at the firſt, but floriſh for a time, and the Lord ſeemes to ſpare them: but when the harueſt is come, and that the vines hauehave once budded and bloſſomed ſo as the iuice begins to vtter it ſelfe, then are the very branches cut vp by the rootes. So, when the wicked are neere vntounto their ripenes, they ſhall not only be depriued of the fruit they expected, but ſhall be cut vp roote and rinde.
The Lord will giuegive this iſſue to wicked men, after he hath ſuffred them to inioy their delites for a time: for they ſhall be ſo rooted vp, that they ſhall neuer be able to reuiue, nor yet to be plāted in any ſort. From hence then wee gather a ſingular conſolation, to wit,A ſingular …onſolation. that when the Lord ſeemes to winke at the practiſes of the aduerſaries, he thereby tries our faith, but yet ſuffers not things to be guided by the vnbridled hand of blind fortune, as prophane men thinke. For he is in heauen as in his Tabernacle, and is reſident in his Church as in a poore tent or cottage, yet ſo, as he will come forth when it ſhall be fit and conuenient time. Let vsus thus enter into our conſciences, and lay all theſe things to our heart in priuat, that by this meanes wee may fortifie our ſelues with ſo excellent a promiſe, by which only we may be enabled to ouercome and ſurmount all temptations. Let vsus alſo thinke with our ſelues how the Lord ſhewes vsus that he ſets forward and lifts vp the felicitie of the wicked, to the end his merciemercy toward his Church may be ſo much the more admired.The reaſon why God ſuffreth the wicked to floriſh for a whil… For if he ſhould cut them off as corne before it be ripe, we ſhould neither ſo certainly nor clearely know his power nor his goodnes, as when he ſuffers them to grow vp to their full height, ſuffring them to be full eared and to floriſh, to the end that their owne weight may the ſooner ouerthrow them, or that he himſelfe may cut them vp with his ſickle as fat and full eares.
Verſ. 6. They ſhall be left together vntounto the fowles of the mountaines, and to the beasts of the earth: for the fowle ſhall ſommer vponupon it, and eueryevery beaſt ſhall winter vponupon it.
HE ſhewes that the wicked ſhal be reiected as a thing of nought:Matt. 3.12. Luk. 3.17. Iohn Baptiſt in like maner compares them to chaffe which is caſt out vponupon the dunghill. And Iſaiah ſhewes, that they ſhall be left to the beasts and birds, ſo as the birds ſhall make their neſts in the mids of them in ſommer, and the beaſts ſhall make their lodgings in them in the winter: as if he ſhould ſay, they ſhall not only be a reproch vntounto men, but euen to beasts alſo. Such then is the condition of the wicked, who thinke themſelues cockſure euen then when they lift vp themſelues moſt againſt the poore Church. But the birds ſhall make their neſts vponupon them on the one ſide, and they ſhall ſerue for houſes and food for the wilde beasts on the other ſide: ſo as they ſhall not only be in worſe caſe then the meaneſt man in the world, but their condition ſhall be far binferior to that of the brute beaſts: for being expoſed to all ſhame and contempt, they ſhall manifeſt to the whole world that Gods prouidence is wonderfull.
Verſ. 7. At that time ſhall a preſent be brought vntounto the Lord of hostes (a people that isOr, rent, or torne. ſcattered abroad, and ſpoiled, and of a terrible people from their beginning hitherunto, a nation by little and little euen trodden vnderunder foote, whoſe land the riuers hauehave ſpoyled to the place of the name of the Lord of hostes, euen the mount Zion.
THe Prophet ſhewes againe wherefore he threatned the ruine of this prophane people. For in as much as all nations in a maner had conſpired the deſtruction of the Church, it ſhould ſeeme that her vtter ſubuerſion was now come. The Lord ſhewes then that he will aſſiſt her in due ſeaſon; for had he not reſiſted ſuch enterpriſes, and repreſſed the plots of the enemies betimes, the Iewes might hauehave deſpaired: therefore hee lets it be knowne that he hath a care of his Church, ſo as howſoeuer it pleaſeth him to chaſtiſe her, yet ſhall ſhe feele his help in time conuenient. Yea, hee will oppoſe his ſtrength againſt the power of tyrants and of her enemies, leſt they ſhould ouerthrow her, and ſo attaine their long expected hopes. That the Iewes then might be imboldned to wait with patience, he not only ſeparates them from the Ethiopians, but aduertiſeth them in like maner that God will moderate his iudgements for their ſaluation.
Now he alludes to the ſecond verſe of this Chapter, where wee ſaw the people of the Iewes termed by theſe names and titles. He vſeth the verb To bring, becauſe before this they ſhould be led away as captiues, ſo as it ſhould be no more lawfull for them to goe vp to the Temple, then for forreine nations. We muſt alſo note this word Rent: for his meaning is that the people ſhall be ſcattered, as if hee ſhould ſay, Howſoeuer you muſt bee brought to a ſmall number, and ſhall be but a poore remnant, yet ſhall this little portion that remaines be offred vntounto God for a ſacrifice.
From hence we are to gather a moſt fruitfull doctrine, and exceeding fit for our timeA doctrine of ſingular vſe. We ſee the Church at this day to be almoſt paſt recouerie; for ſhe is ſcattered, oppreſſed, ouerwhelmed, and trodden downe on euer ſide. What ought we to do in the mids of ſo great diſtreſſes? We muſt lay faſt hold vponupon theſe and the like promiſes; and aſſure our ſelues that howſoeuer the world goe, yet God will defend and maintaine his Church. And albeit ſhe be as a bodie torne in pieces, and ſcattered here and there, yet will he eaſily gather her ſcattered members together againe, by the worke of his ſpirit: for he will neuer ſuffer the remembrance of his name, nor the inuocation thereof to periſh. The Lord will ſo worke, that of theſe peeces which lie now ſcattered here and there, there ſhall be a people made and gathered together. For it is eaſie with him to gather into one, thoſe whom he knits together by the vnitie of his Spirit, although they be diuided farre aſunder one from another. Although then that we ſee the Church diminiſhed, and ſome of her members cut off; yet ſhall ſome gift bee reſerued out of her, to be preſented and offered vntounto the Lord.
To the place of the name] The Prophets are accuſtomed to vſe this manner of ſpeech often. For when they mention the ſeruice of God, they ſet is forth by externall exerciſes: as by altars, ſacrifices, waſhings, and ſuch like. Now the very truth is, that in regard the ſeruice of God is internall, it cannot be repreſented but by outward ſignes; whereby men teſtifie that they ſerue and worſhippe God. Now he names the mount of Zion here chiefly, becauſe this place was conſecrated vntounto God, as the place wherein he would hauehave ſacrifices offered vntounto him. For the Lord honoured this place aboue al others in cauſing the doctrine of his word to come out thence, as we hauehave ſeene Chap. 2.3. ſo that vnderunder this name wee may rightly vnderſtand the pure and ſincere worſhip of God. To conclude, the Prophets deſcribe not this ſeruice in ſuch wiſe as it ſhould be after Chriſt his comming; but ſuch as it was in their own times: the reaſon is: becauſe it was needfull for them to apply themſelues to the capacitie of the people whom they taught. Hence wee may gather, that we appertaine not vntounto the Church, vnleſſe we be offered vntounto God in ſacrifice:We can hauehave no aſſurance that we belong to the Church of God, vnleſſe we offer vp our bodies and ſoules a ſacrifice vntounto God. Rom. 12.1. & 15.6. 2. Cor. 5.15. Whoſoeuer hee be thē that challengeth any intereſt in God, let him offer himſelfe vp ſuch a ſacrifice vntounto him, and let him no longer liue vntounto himſelfe, but giuegive and conſecrate himſelfe vntounto God. The meanes whereby this is done, is by the ſword of Gods word, (to wit, the Goſpell) whereby Paul glorifieth that he ſacrificed and offered vp men vntounto God: as Rom. 15.6. before alleaged.
By the place of the name of the Lord, he means not that the eſſence of God (of which wee muſt not thinke in any wiſe as of a carnall or earthly ſubſtance) ſhould be incloſed therein, as if he were tied to any one place: but becauſe it was the place wherein the Lord was pleaſed to manifeſt teſtimonies of his power, and to be honoured and called vponupon: where he alſo ſhewed his preſence by his goodneſſe and power; eſpecially in regard of the weakneſſe of the people, who otherwiſe could not comprehend his maieſtie. And yet we are to note, that wee cannot be acceptable vntounto God, vnleſſe wee be vnited vntounto him in the ſame faith: that is to ſay, vnleſſe wee be knit together as the members of his Church. It is not needfull indeed that we ſhould runne to Ieruſalem or to mount Zion: for Zion is now ſpread ouer all the world, and is conſecrated vntounto God in generall. It remaines then that we hauehave the ſame faith amongſt vsus, and that wee be ioyned and lincked together by the band of louelove. For if theſe be wanting in vsus, then is there nothing in the midſt of vsus but pollution;Where faith and louelove is wanting, there all things are vncleane vntounto us. neither have we any thing that is holy and conſecrated vntounto vsus.