Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 8. The Lord hath sent a word into Jacob, and^* it hath lighted upon Israel.

Vers. 8. The Lord hath sent a word into Iacob, and^* it hath lighted vpon Israel.

1. *Or, is fallen.

Here follows a new prophecy. And as I think, this Sermon is divided from the former, because the Prophet speaks now of the future estate of the Kingdom of Israel, which was then adversary to the Jews. Now we know that the Jews were terrified with the forces and power of this Kingdom, and not without cause: especially when the Israelites made a league with the Syrians, because the Jews were too weak to resist their power. Wherefore for the comfort of the faithful, he shows what the estate of the Kingdom of Israel shall be. He takes Jacob and Israel for one and the same: but this variety hath his elegance; when he shows that the wicked shall gain nothing by their devices, in seeking to wind themselves out of Gods judgements, and to blot out the remembrance thereof. He alludes to the speech of those, who think to escape by scoffs and taunts, turning whatsoever the Prophets do threaten, unto sport and matter of merriment: as if some wise man would strive to beat back a tempest, by blowing against it with his mouth. It is a yielding of the thing unto them then by way of derision; as if he should say, You are of opinion that God will bring every thing to pass which he hath threatened, upon others: but all the menaces which he pronounceth against Jacob, shall also fall upon Israel.

HEere followes a new prophecie. And as I thinke, this Sermon is diuided from the former, because the Prophet speakes now of the future estate of the Kingdome of Israel, which was then aduersarie to the Iewes. Now wee know that the Iewes were terrified with the forces and power of this Kingdome, and not without cause: especially when the Israelites made a league with the Syrians, because the Iewes were too weake to resist their power. Wherefore for the comfort of the faithfull, hee shewes what the estate of the Kingdome of Israel shall be. He takes Iacob and Israel for one and the same: but this variety hath his elegancie; when hee shewes that the wicked shall gaine nothing by their deuices, in seeking to winde themselues out of Gods iudgements, and to blot out the remembrance thereof. He alludes to the speech of those, who thinke to escape by scoffes and taunts, turning whatsoeuer the Prophets doe threaten, vnto sport and matter of merriment: as if some wise man would striue to beate backe a tempest, by blowing against it with his mouth. It is a yeelding of the thing vnto them then by way of derision; as if hee should say, You are of opinion that God will bring euery thing to passe which hee hath threatned, vpon others: but all the menaces which he pronounceth against Iacob, shall also fall vpon Israel.