Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 9. Rise up, rise up, and put on strength, O arm of the Lord: arise as in the old time in the generations of the world. Art not thou^* the same that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon? 10. Art not thou the same which hath dried the sea, even the waters of the great deep, making the depth of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over?

Vers. 9. Rise vp, rise vp, and put on strength, O arme of the Lord: arise as in the old time in the generations of the world. Art not thou^* the same that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon? 10. Art not thou the same which hath dried the sea, euen the waters of the great deepe, making the depth of the sea a way for the redeemed to passe ouer?

1. *that arm.that arme.

¹The Prophet here teacheth, that when God raiseth us up by his promises, we on the other side ought instantly to entreat him to accomplish that which he hath promised. For he gives us not comfort to nourish us in idleness; but the more to inflame us with a greater affection of prayer, and to a daily exercising of our faith. Now the Prophet speaks here according to our understandings. For we think that God sleeps, as long as he defers to relieve our miseries: and yet the Lord bears with us thus far, that he suffers us to pray with such words, as savour somewhat of the infirmity of our natures. The faithful then pray that God would arise, or awake: not as if he were idle, or asleep in heaven; but they rather acknowledge therein their own dullness or slothfulness, in regard they cannot conceive ought else of God, as long as he defers to help them. Notwithstanding howsoever the flesh imagineth that he sleeps, and neglects our miseries, yet faith looks higher, and apprehends his infinite power.