Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

HE returns again to the person of Christ, and repeats the same similitude which he took up heretofore in the beginning of this Chapter, to wit, of the root, or sprig issuing out of the dry stock, which had no appearance of any sap in it. He saith then it shall come to pass that the Gentiles, who in times past had the Jews in abomination, shall yet come and do homage to the King of the Jews. Now this might seem a thing altogether incredible: and no doubt but this promise was a long time derided, because such a change should rather have been expected when the kingdom stood & flourished in his full strength then after it was destroyed. But needful it was it should be brought thus low, to the end it might afterwards be exalted; and that the glory and power of God might hereby be better known, then if all things had been in their flourishing estate. For what is he that with the eyes of flesh could have apprehended such a height,¹ from a little sprig that it should be discerned of all people, and should draw the eyes of every one unto it? He compares it to a standard lifted up on high: and we know that this was accomplished in the publication of the Gospel, yea much more excellently then if Christ had soared above the clouds. Hereunto appertains that which is said in S. John, ²As Moses lift up the Serpent in the wilderness, so must the son of man be lift up,