Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 16. And when he saw that there was no man, he wondered that none would offer himself. Therefore his arm did save it, and his righteousness it self did sustain it.

Vers. 16. And when hee saw that there was no man, hee wondered that none would offer himselfe. Therefore his arme did saue it, and his righteousnesse it selfe did sustaine it.

The Prophet prosecutes the same argument still:¹ but he lays that out more at large now, which he briefly touched before. For that which he said in the former verse, might peradventure seem obscure, namely, that it displeased the Lord, because there was no judgement. In this place then he repeats, that the Lord saw there was no man that would succour the Church, and he wondered at it. He useth a verb which signifies, that the Lord took up an occasion of wonderment. As if he should say; He stood as one amazed. Some translate the word Maphgia, Intercessor: but I think the sense is, that no man presented himself to set the things in order, that were confused; there was no Physician that would put to his hand to prescribe a remedy for this sickness, and therefore the Lord wondered. But it is easy to judge why he attributes this astonishment unto God: for by this reproach, he meant to shame the Jews, that so (according to their custom) they might not seek out pretences to cover their sins withal.

THe Prophet prosecutes the same argument still:¹ but hee laies that out more at large now, which he briefly touched before. For that which hee said in the former verse, might peraduenture seeme obscure, namely, that it displeased the Lord, because there vvas no iudgement. In this place then hee repeates, that the Lord saw there was no man that would succour the Church, and he wondered at it. He vseth a verbe which signifies, that the Lord tooke vp an occasion of wonde•ment. As if he should say; He stood as one amazed. Some translate the word Maphgia, Intercessor: but I thinke the sense is, that no man presented himselfe to set the things in order, that were confused; there vvas no Physition that vvould put to his hand to prescribe a remedie for this sickenesse, and therefore the Lord vvondered. But it is easie to iudge why he attributes this astonishment vnto God: for by this reproch, he meant to shame the Iewes, that so (according to their custome) they might not seeke out pretences to couer their sinnes withall.