Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Now the Prophet applies that which he said before to his purpose: for albeit he hath spoken generally, yet he respected a certain end, that so he might fit his speech to the purpose in hand, lest the Jews should be troubled with this feigned wisdom of the Chaldeans, and so be brought to doubt whether God would at any time deliver them or no. He opposeth their vain predictions then to Gods promises, ¹that no man should think this Monarchy was utterly exempt from danger. Now the promise was this, Babylon shall fall, Chap. 21.9. But my people shall be set at liberty.

NOw the Prophet applies that which he said before to his purpose: for albeit he hath spoken generallie, yet he respected a certaine end, that so he might fit his speech to the purpose in hand, lest the Iewes should be troubled with this fained vvisdome of the Chaldeans, and so be brought to doubt whether God would at any time deliuer them or no. He opposeth their vaine predictions then to Gods promises, ¹that no man should thinke this Monarchie was vtterlie exempt frō danger. Now the promise was this, Babylon shall fall, Chap. 21.9. But my people shall be set at libertie.

1. 1Gods promises, opposed to vain predictions.Gods promises, opposed to vaine predictions.

The Chaldeans derided these promises, as if they should thus have said, Must we needs fall? A sort of wise men no doubt: as if we could not foresee that by the stars if any such thing should happen. The Lord therefore saith, that he will raise up, that is to say, will accomplish that which he hath promised, and will bring such things to pass, as the wise men neither yet had, nor were able to conjecture. For the scorners esteemed no better of these prophesies then of an unprofitable sound which should forthwith vanish. Against such an opinion he opposeth the word to raise, thereby showing that God would cause his word to be believed.