Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

I grant our Prophet doth not simply condemn all leagues with idolaters in this place, but he respects that prohibition which was expressed in the very law of God it self;¹ to wit, that they should have no association with the Egyptians at all. He is thus moved to indignation against the Jews therefore, chiefly in regard of this prohibition, because it could not be but Gods dishonour must of necessity be joined with this their running down, as desperate men into Egypt.

I grant our Prophet doth not simply condemne al leagues with idolaters in this place, but hee respects that prohibition which was expressed in the very law of God it selfe;¹ to wit, that they should haue no association with the Egyptians at all. Hee is thus moued to indignation against the Iewes therefore, chiefly in regard of this prohibition, because it could not bee but Gods dishonour must of necessitie be ioyned with this their running downe, as desperate men into Egypt.

1. 1Deut. 17.16. Exod. 13.17.

This is the cause why he calls them perverse and ebellious children, which phrase we have expounded in the first Chapter.¹ His meaning is, that either they were men sunk deep in their obstinacy, wittingly and willingly revolting from God; or that they were so rooted in obstinacy, that there was no soundness nor integrity left in them. In the very entrance then he chargeth them that they were men given up to their own counsels, and therewithal did cast off the Lord. Although some expound, To spread the effusion or shedding; and that it agrees with the Prophets meaning: yet others in mine own opinion, have turned it better; to wit, who cover the secret: and this reading I have followed. The reason is, because he speaks here of counsels and privy plots, by which, in thinking to deceive the Prophets, their meaning was indeed to flee from Gods presence.