Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 25. For the Lord of hosts shall bless it saying; Blessed be my people, Egypt and Ashur, the work of mine hands, and Israel mine inheritance.

Vers. 25. For the Lord of hostes shall blesse it saying; Blessed be my people, Egypt and Ashur, the work of mine hands, and Israel mine inheritance.

HE comes again to the reason and exposition of the former sentence: for he teacheth that the Assyrians and Egyptians shall be companions with the elect people by the free goodness of God. And it is as much as if he had said; Howsoever these titles appertain only to Israel, yet shall they be transferred notwithstanding to another people, whom the Lord shall adopt to himself. Now there is a mutual correspondency between God and his people, so as those whom he pronounceth to be his people with his own mouth, may also answer, and by good right say, that he is their God. This privilege is indifferently granted both to the Egyptians and Assyrians. But although the Prophet meant to make these strangers companions with the Jews, which were the household-people of God, yet he distinguisheth their degrees by special marks. For in calling the Egyptians Gods people, he means that they are partakers of that honour which God vouchsafed only to the Jews. He adorns the Assyrians with the proper title given to the Church, saying, that they are the work of his hands.

HE comes againe to the reason and exposition of the former sentence: for he teacheth that the Assyrians and Egyptians shall be companions with the elect people by the free goodnesse of God. And it is as much as if he had said; Howsoeuer these titles appertaine onely to Israel, yet shall they be transferred notwithstanding to another people, whom the Lord shall adopt to himselfe. Now there is a mutuall corespondency betweene God and his people, so as those whom he pronounceth to be his people with his own mouth, may also answer, and by good right say, that he is their God. This priuiledge is indifferently granted both to the Egyptians and Assyrians. But although the Prophet meant to make these strangers companions with the Iewes, which were the houshold-people of God, yet he distinguisheth their degrees by speciall markes. For in calling the Egyptians Gods people, he meanes that they are partakers of that honour which God vouchsafed onely to the Iewes. He adornes the Assyrians with the proper title giuen to the Church, saying, that they are the worke of his hands.