Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Now he directs his speech against the Country of Moab. Moab was well fortified and swelled with pride, in regard of their walls and bulwarks: therefore he saith, that the high towers, and other strong and impregnable places should serve them to no purpose. They of old used another kind of fortification then we do now at this day, as is well known. It is not without cause that he here useth three words for the better expressing of his own meaning; to wit, I will bring down, lay low, and cast to the ground: for it was needful that this pride of the Moabites wherewith they were puffed up, should be beaten down, because they were become intolerable; as we have seen in the 15. Chapter, vers. 6. The Prophet then derides them: as if he should say; Oh, it seems the Lord cannot bring down this height of yours, in which you so much glory. The particle, To the dust, is as much as if he had said; He will not only race to the ground, but will bring it to dust, that there shall not remain so much as any mention of the old ruins. This place contains in it therefore an excellent and very apt consolation:¹ for our enemies at this day are so bold, that they despise not men alone, but even God himself: they are so proud, and so puffed up in regard of their power, that they think themselves invincible. But it is our parts to oppose this sentence of the Prophet against them and all their forces and munitions; to wit, the Lord will easily bring all these things to nought.