Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

¹This is an excellent place. In which we may consider, not only the admirable providence of God, but also a worthy testimony of the truth and authority of his promises: for Cyrus ²was named here a long time before he was borne. How may that be proved? There was between the death of Manasseh, who put Isaiah to death, and the birth of Cyrus, more then an hundred years. But say he had now been borne, who could have foretold that he should have come to Babylon,³ from the furthest mountains in Persia? These things are worthy our observation then; for they show that Isaiah spake not by the will of man: for who would ever have thought that one called Cyrus, should come with marvellous swiftness from the remotest and most barbarous parts of the world, to deliver Gods people? Whereas scoffers object, Object. that the Jews might forge this after all was come to pass: it is so sottish and absurd a cavil, Ans. that it needs no refutation. For during the captivity, the Jews turned over these books, to confirm their hope touching their deliverance: who doubtless had been put clean out of heart, if the Lord had not comforted them by these & such lively promises, which were as goodly monuments left to strengthen the minds of the faithful in faith and hope. Neither do I doubt but Cyrus himself was much amazed, when he understood that God had appointed him to be the shepherd and leader of his people Israel: yea, it is very likely also that it greatly inflamed his heart with such a love towards the Jews, that it framed him with readiness of mind to furnish the Jews with victuals and other necessaries for their journey. Thus the Lord points him out with his finger, by whose hand he determined to redeem his people; that so they might not gaze here and there for help in their perplexities.