Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

The Hebrew particle is often disjunctive; and therefore this place is expounded as if it had been said; Either let her feel my strength, or let her make peace with me: that is to say, if she make not peace with me, then shall she feel my strength, to her great loss. Others expound it a little otherwise; Who will feel my strength? that is to say, who will repress it? But I leave this interpretation, because it seems too much constrained; contenting my self with that which is most received. The expositors think then that God threatens the Jews, as one that assays all means to bring them home into the right way: for God must work upon us many ways, in respect we are so accustomed to abuse his patience and goodness. And therefore he often testifies, that he will bring upon us the punishment of our ingratitude; which it seems Isaiah doth in this place: as if he should say; If this people will not accept of my kindness, and repent, and so make peace with me, I assure them they shall feel the weight of my hand, which hitherunto I have withholden from them. There may another apt sense be also gathered hence, and yet somewhat differing from this. As if the Lord should exhort the people to acknowledge his power, by which they might be brought to seek peace with him: for whence proceeds that brutish confidence, that we fear not the anger of God, but because we reverence not his power as we ought to do?