Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

This place is usually expounded, as if God taxed the people of ingratitude, in regard that he had played the part of an husbandman with his ground, and had left no cost or pains unbestowed; but yet had not received that fruit which he expected. And thus the Jews expound it; whom both Greeks and Latins have followed: but the Prophet meant another thing. For he joins this doctrine with vers. 22. in which he had threatened that the destruction of Judah, or of the whole earth was revealed unto him: and therefore now adds, that God doth not always stretch out his arm, neither doth he ever keep one rate in punishing the rebellions of man, but often times winks thereat, and defers his judgements for a time. This patience of the Lord the wicked abuse, taking the greater liberty thereby to sin; as Solomon well showeth; that is,¹ because all things fall out alike both to good and bad, and that the most desperate wretches do prosper, when the faithful in the mean while are subject to many miseries; yea often to greater then the very reprobates and castaways: In a word, when the ungodly perceive no difference (in outward appearance) to be put between the godly & themselves, they either think there is no God at all, or else that things are governed by the disposition of blind fortune. Isaiah answers to this on this manner; Know you not that God hath the times and seasons in his own power, and that he hath skill enough to dispose of his matters in all ages? If the Ploughman be not alway ploughing his ground, nor breaking of his clots, is any man therefore to tax him of ignorance? Is it not his wisdom rather that causeth him for a time to cease?