Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

¹THE Prophet having taught the people to put no confidence in the Egyptians, but in Gods mercy only; & having threatened them with the calamities which should happen to those nations that succoured them, whereupon they rested and relied: he now adds a consolation for the encouragement of the faithful. For he tells them that the Chaldeans, under whose power they were to be held captive, shall be rewarded according to their deserts: whence the Jews were to gather, that God had a care as touching the wrongs which they sustained.

¹THE Prophet hauing taught the people to put no confidence in the Egyptians, but in Gods mercy onely; & hauing threatned them with the calamities which should happen to those nations that succoured them, whereupon they rested and relied: he now addes a consolation for the incouragement of the faithfull. For hee telles them that the Chaldeans, vnder whose power they were to be held captiue, shall be rewarded according to their deserts: whence the Iewes were to gather, that God had a care as touchi•g the wrongs which they sustained.

1. 1The occasion of this prophecie against Chaldea.The occasion of this prophecie against Caldea.

By the desert, he means the land of the Chaldeans; not it was inhabited, but because that the Jews had a desert on that side very near unto them; as if we should take the Alps for Italy, in regard they are nearer unto us; as also that it is our way by which we go into that Country. But the reason is to be marked; for he describes not the nature of the Country, but tells the Jews that the ruin of their enemies is at hand, and that it is as certain, as if they saw it before their eyes; even as this desert was. Besides, we may note that the Prophets are wont sometime• to speak ambiguously and darkly of Babylon; to the end the faithful only might understand such secret mysteries. As for example, Jeremiah changeth the name of the King.