Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Now he hath good reason to bring them to the law, wherein God so often declares that he will have care of his people, and will punish the wicked sort. Seeing Moses therefore spake of it so long ago, the Prophet saith, that none ought to be so incredulous touching the truth of his prophecy, seeing he tells them of no strange matters, but only confirms that which Moses hath long since testified and taught. This I take to be the native sense of our Prophet, who by these words meant to fortify the Jews, to §1the end they should wait with patience for the promise of the Lord, as being assured that the event would manifest the truth of those things, which were already foretold to fall upon the Idumeans, and other enemies of the Church. Why so? Because Moses had testified (without cause of blame) that God would always protect and defend his people. §2Again, it was needful they should be advertised hereof, that when the Idumeans should be thus dealt withal indeed, they might not think it fell out by chance, but might acknowledge God the author of this judgement. For such is the perversity of mans nature, that he believes not, though he be forewarned, till the very pinch: and besides, he is given to attribute that unto fortune, which proceeds from the just judgement of God. Isaiah therefore prevents these inconveniences, in willing them to ask of Moses touching the truth hereof, because he was reverenced of all, in respect of his authority.

Now he hath good reason to bring them to the law, wherein God so often declares that he will haue care of his people, and will punish the wicked sort. Seeing Moses therefore spake of it so long agoe, the Prophet saith, that none ought to be so incredulous touching the truth of his prophecie, seeing he telles them of no strange matters, but onely confirmes that which Moses hath long since testified and taught. This I take to be the natiue sense of our Prophet, who by these words meant to fortifie the Iewes, to §1the end they should wait with patience for the promise of the Lord, as being assured that the euent would manifest the truth of those things, which were alreadie foretold to fall vpon the Idumeans, and other enemies of the Church. Why so? Because Moses had testified (without cause of blame) that God would alwaies protect and defend his people. §2Againe, it was needfull they should be aduertised hereof, that when the Idumeans should be thus dealt withall indeed, they might not thinke it fell out by chance, but might acknowledge God the author of this iudgement. For such is the peruersitie of mans nature, that he beleeues not, though he be forewarned, till the very pinch: and besides, hee is giuen to attribute that vnto fortune, which proceedes from the iust iudgement of God. Isaiah therefore preuents these inconueniences, in willing them to aske of Moses touching the truth hereof, because hee was reuerenced of all, in respect of his authoritie.