Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

There is also in this place a secret opposition: because the Sanctuary is as a Tower situated in an high place, for the defence of the faithful; and for the destruction and ruin of the unfaithful, in regard they rushed upon God with a foolhardiness. But we shall hereafter see more clearly how this was accomplished; partly under Hezekias, partly also from the time of the captivity of Babylon: and yet notwithstanding, Christ was therewithal prefigured, who was to be a rock of falling, and not a fortress of defence to the Israelites. Isaiah advertiseth the faithful of this fall; to the end they should conform themselves to this warning.

There is also in this place a secret opposition: because the Sanctuarie is as a Tower situated in an high place, for the defence of the faithfull; and for the destruction and ruine of the vnfaithfull, in regard they rashed vpon God with a foolehardinesse. But wee shall heereafter see more cleerely how this was accomplished; partly vnder Hezekias, partly also from the time of the captiuitie of Babylon: and yet notwithstanding, Christ was therewithall prefigured, who was to bee a rocke of falling, and not a fortresse of defence to the Israelites. Isaiah aduertiseth the faithfull of this fall; to the end they should conforme themselues to this warning.

To the two houses.] The Jews do fondly and senselessly rent this sentence, instead of dividing it aright. For they say, that God shall be partly a sanctification; and partly an offence to the Israelites: as if by the two houses, he should distinguish between the faithful and the unfaithful. But he rather commands the faithful not to be discouraged, although almost all the multitude of both the kingdoms, do hinder them from following of God; but that in forsaking all impediments, they should go on with cheerfulness through the thickest of them. The Prophet might have said in a word, he shall be a stumbling stone to Israel: but he meant to express it more fully: for he comprehends the whole people, and saith; that God shall be their overthrow. The people were divided into two Kingdoms; to wit, Ephraim and Judah; and therefore he names both the one and the other. I grant that some were excepted out of this number: but he speaks here of the whole body in general.