Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 30. And this shall be a sign unto thee, O Hezekiah, Thou shalt eat this year such as groweth of it self: and the second year such things as grow without sowing: and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruit thereof.

Vers. 30. And this shall be a signe vnto thee, O Hezekiah, Thou shalt eate this yeere such as groweth of it selfe: and the second yeere such things as grow without sowing: and in the third yeere sow yee, and reape, and plant vineyards, and eate the fruite thereof.

Now he directs his speech unto Hezekias and to all the people: for he spake not before to Sennacherib as if he had heard him, but it was to the end he might the better quicken up the people to be of good courage, seeing the Lord did thus despise this Tyrant. If he had only said, Hezekias, be of good comfort, albeit Sennacherib insults over thee, yet I will repress his pride when I see it fit; these words (I say) had not been of such efficacy, as when together with the same he turns his speech towards the Tyrant himself, in thundering from heaven upon him: for by this means he emboldens the faithful to set light by all his threats. Therefore having first spoken to the Tyrant, now he turns himself very fitly unto Hezekias and to the people, promising them deliverance: and that not only out of the paws of this cruel bear, but also that Hezekias should enjoy his kingdom still in peace and prosperity, and that the rest of the people should likewise have all things necessary for an happy and quiet life. And thus he amplifies the benefit of their deliverance, the rather to show that he will not only succour his people in one kind only, but many ways: for in deed his deliverances are not only limited to once or twice, but he would have us feel his benefits in large and in abundant measure, that the fruit thereof might last for a long time.

NOw he directs his speech vnto Hezekias and to all the people: for he spake not before to Sennacherib as if he had heard him, but it was to the end he might the better quicken vp the people to be of good courage, seeing the Lord did thus despise this Tyrant. If he had only said, Hezekias, be of good comfort, albeit Sennacherib insults ouer thee, yet I will represse his pride when I see it fit; these words (I say) had not been of such efficacie, as when together with the same he turnes his speech towards the Tyrant himselfe, in thundring from heauen vpon him: for by this meanes he imboldens the faithfull to set light by all his threates. Therefore hauing first spoken to the Tyrant, now he turnes himselfe very fitlie vnto Hezekias and to the people, promising them deliuerance: and that not only out of the pawes of this cruell beare, but also that Hezekias should inioy his kingdome still in peace and prosperitie, and that the rest of the people should likewise haue all things necessarie for an happie and quiet life. And thus he amplifies the benefit of their deliuerance, the rather to shew that he will not only succor his people in one kind only, but many waies: for in deed his deliuerāces are not only limitted to once or twice, but he would haue vs feele his benefits in large and in abundant measure, that the fruit thereof might last for a long time.