Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Many think that the Prophet useth this vehemency against the Jews, as if he said, The Sun, Moon, and Stars are ashamed of your incredulity, so that you are a detestation not to men only, but even to the insensible creatures: but this seems utterly wide from the Prophets purpose. I make no doubt but he continues on that consolation which he touched in the former verse; as if he should say, When the Lord shall visit his people, and purge his Church, he will establish such a glorious kingdom, that it shall darken the light of the Sun and Stars. And this manner of speech is very usual among the Prophets, we also have seen it before in this prophecy. Now Isaiah speaks not here alone of the head, but also of the whole body of the Church: when the Lord then shall settle his kingdom upon mount Zion, his glory in the restoration of the people shall be so great, that that which seems bright and glorious in mens eyes, being compared with this, shall be but darkness. And the better to express it, he names the greatest lights in the firmament.

MAny thinke that the Prophet vseth this vehemencie against the Iewes, as if he said, The Sunne, Moone, and Starres are ashamed of your incredulitie, so that you are a detestation not to men only, but euen to the insensible creatures: but this seemes vtterlie wide frō the Prophets purpose. I make no doubt but he continues on that consolation which he touched in the former verse; as if he should say, When the Lord shall visit his people, and purge his Church, he will establish such a glorious kingdome, that it shal darken the light of the Sunne and Starres. And this maner of speech is very vsuall among the Prophets, we also haue seene it before in this prophesie. Now Isaiah speakes not here alone of the head, but also of the whole bodie of the Church: when the Lord then shall settle his kingdome vpon mount Zion, his glorie in the restauration of the people shall be so great, that that which seemes bright and glorious in mens eies, being compared with this, shall be but darkenes. And the better to expresse it, he names the greatest lights in the firmament.

Some improperly draw the verb To reign, to Gods vengeance: for albeit God reigns when he judgeth the world, yet this manner of speech linked thus together, God shall reign in Mount Zion, always notes mercy and salvation. For he speaks of the restoration of the Church: whence we gather, that these things are not accomplished but in Christ.