Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

THE XXIIII. CHAPTER.

Vers. 1. Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and he maketh it waste: he turneth it upside down, and scattereth the Inhabitants thereof.

Vers. 1. Behold, the Lord maketh the earth emptie, and he maketh it waste: he turneth it vpside downe, and scattereth the Inhabitants thereof.

This prophecy as I take it, is as it were the shutting up of all those things which have bin described from the thirteenth Chapter unto this, wherein Isaiah hath not only foretold the ruin of the Jews and Israelites, but also of the Moabites, Assyrians, Egyptians, and others. In a word, he here comprehends all in a short sum, as if he had viewed all the neighbour countries that were known to the Jews. Some refer this to the Israelites, others to the Jews, thinking the Prophet speaks of their destruction: but seeing he makes mention of the world, I can not be drawn to take this place in any other sense, but that he now in a few words comprehends all that which he hath said of many particulars, and those belonging to divers times. Whereas he in the next verse makes mention of the Priest, it contradicts this that I say nothing at all, although it might thereby seem that these things should only appertain unto the people of God: for albeit he speaks of all nations, yet the Jews always deserving to be preferred in the first place, Isaiah was to regard them chiefly and principally, because it was theirs by right. For he speaks of others accidentally as you would say: no marvel then if having touched them, he mentions his own people in a particular manner.