Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 1. The burden of Egypt. Behold the Lord rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt, and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the middest of her.

Vers. 1. The burden of Egypt. Behold the Lord rideth vpon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt, and the idols of Egypt shall be moued at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the middest of her.

THE burden of Egypt.] Here the Prophet prophecieth against Egypt, because she was the, refuge unto which the Jews fled as soon as they saw any danger near. For having forsaken the Lord,¹ in whom they should have reposed all their help, they looked for no succour at all, unless they had it from the Egyptians. And therefore it behoved that this Nation also should be brought low: so as there should no riches nor strength remain any longer in it to deceive the Jews withal: who (as long as Egypt flourished, because it was well peopled, and furnished with all provisions) contemned the Lord; or at the least made very slight reckoning of his promises. There was a twofold evil then in this matter: first, that whereas they should have rested upon §1God only, they were puffed up with this vain confidence in Egypt: secondly, in that the Lord no sooner visited them with his §2rods, but they by and by fortified themselves with the power of the Egyptians against the same: as if they had been able to overcome his judgements, by setting the arm of flesh against them: whereas they ought rather to have taken occasion by them, to have turned wholly unto God. But the Prophet will handle this matter more largely hereafter in the 30. and 31. Chapters.

THE burden of Egypt.] Heere the Prophet prophecieth against Egypt, because she was ye, refuge vnto which the Iewes fled as soon as they saw any danger neere. For hauing forsaken the Lord,