Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Now the Prophet expounds the vision,¹ and shows wherefore the Lord is thus died with blood; ²namely, because he must be avenged on the Idumeans, and other enemies, who have used his people very inhumanely. It should be a thing ridiculous to refer this verse unto Christ; in regard he hath redeemed us without the help of any man: for the Prophets meaning is, that the Lord will so punish the Idumeans, that he shall stand in need of no mans help, because himself will be strong enough to root them out. Ans. For the Jews might object, Object. that the Idumeans were mighty: that no war was made upon them, but that they flourished and lived at their ease. But the Lord shows that this shall not hinder him from smiting them, when him listeth. I grant he used mens help, when he avenged himself of the Idumeans: but yet in such wise, that it was apparent to all how the whole action was managed by his own hand: neither could any thing therein be ascribed either to the counsels, or forces of men. For they were surprised with a sudden and unexpected destruction: in respect whereof the people could not doubt, but that God only was the author thereof, seeing they had been so often advertised of it before.