Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 3. A voice crieth in the wilderness; Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a path for our God.

Vers. 3. A voice crieth in the wildernesse; Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a path for our God.

He goes on with the argument begun, and shows more plainly, that he will send messengers to the people (in appearance forlorn) which shall comfort & cheer them. And thus he prevents an objection which some might make; Thou tellest us indeed of comfort, but where are the Prophets that should bring the same unto us? For we shall be in a desert. Whence then, I pray thee, shall this consolation come? Thus he tells them then that the desert shall be no means to debar them of this consolation. The desert here is taken figuratively, for that desolation which should come upon them: though I deny not but the Prophet also alludes to the way between Babylon and Judea; for the tedious passage through the desert, might seem to take away all hope of returning home again. Notwithstanding he promiseth, that albeit all the passages were stopped, and that there were no way set open for them, yet that the Lord would easily make the roughest ways smooth and plain for himself, and for his servants. Some join the particle, In the desert, with the member following, and expound it thus, Prepare the Lord a way in the desert. But it seems rather that the Prophet brings in a voice, which should gather these banished ones together, which were driven out of the habitable land. As if he should say; Indeed you see nothing but an hideous desert before you, but yet you shall hear this comfortable voice, by the mouths of my Prophets. Now these things must be referred to that miserable bondage wherewith they should be oppressed in Babylon.

HEe goes on with the argument begunne, and shewes more plainly, that hee will send messengers to the people (in appearance forlorne) which shall comfort & cheere them. And thus hee preuents an obiection which some might make; Thou tellest vs indeed of comfort, but where are the Prophets that should bring the same vnto vs? For we shall be in a desert. Whence then, I pray thee, shall this consolation come? Thus he telles them then that the desert shall be no meanes to debarro them of this consolation. The desert heere is taken figuratiuely, for that desolation which should come vpon them: though I denie not but the Prophet also alludes to the way betweene Babylon and Iudeah; for the tedious passage thorow the desert, might seeme to take away all hope of returning home againe. Notwithstanding he promiseth, that albeit all the passages were stopped, and that there were no way set open for them, yet that the Lord would easilie make the roughest waies smooth and plaine for himselfe, and for his seruants. Some ioine the particle, In the desert, with the member following, and expound it thus, Prepare the Lord a way in the desert. But it seemes rather that the Prophet brings in a voice, which should gather these banished ones together, which were driuen out of the habitable lande. As if hee should say; Indeed you see nothing but an hideous desert before you, but yet you shall heare this comfortable voice, by the mouthes of my Prophets. Now these things must bee referred to that miserable bondage wherewith they should bee oppressed in Babylon.