Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 1. Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come out of the waters of Judah: which swear by the name of the Lord, and make mention of the God of Israel; but not in truth nor in righteousness.

Vers. 1. Heare yee this, O house of Iakob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come out of the waters of Iudah: which sweare by the name of the Lord, and make mention of the God of Israel; but not in truth nor in righteousnesse.

¹NOW he directs his speech to the Jews, whom he chiefly respected in the whole chapter before going.

¹NOW hee directs his speech to the Iewes, whom hee chiefly respected in the whole chapter before going.

1. 1Now the Prophet directs his speech to the Jews.Now the Prophet directs his speech to the Iewes.

For he was not sent to the Babylonians; but so speaks to them, that still his meaning is, the Jews should make their profit of it; for whose good he was principally appointed,¹ & ordained to that high and excellent calling. He hath foretold the ruin of Babel then, to the end the Jews might in patience and silence wait for their deliverance: and yet, that the greatness and power of their enemies in the mean while, might not daunt nor discourage them. But resting securely upon these promises, they might stand with invincible force against all temptations. Now in as much as the Jews were somewhat obstinate, and would not easily be brought to credit these promises: as also that Isaiah by the spirit of prophecy, well foresaw how stiff necked and rebellious they would prove, even in their captivity; he therefore reproves them thus sharply. Ezech. in Chap. 33 31. shows at large how great their incredulity was, when they murmured against God and fell off the hooks, making no more account of these promises, then of so many fables. It is not without cause then that Isaiah is so vehement: showing that they much dishonoured the Lord, in that they would not rest upon his truth.