Isaiah 40

A Prophesy of the coming of Christ, and of the preaching of the Gospel, ver.1 by John Baptist, and the Apostles, 3,etc. The power and efficacy of the word of God, 4, etc. What the Ministers of the word should preach, 6, etc. The power and wisdom of God in governing of the world; 12. Whose Image neither can nor may be made. 18. The folly of Idolaters. 19. The vanity of all the great ones of this world. 23. Reproof of them that complain that God neither can nor will protect them, 26.

1. Comfort, comfort my people, will your God, [To wit, Christ, true God manifest in the flesh] say. [To wit, to the Apostles, and to all them whom he shall send forth to preach the Gospel.]

2. Speak [To wit, in the flesh.] to the heart, [that is, friendly and comfortably. See Genes.34.on vers.3.] of Jerusalem, [that is, of the Citizens of Jerusalem, & of the Church of God in general.] etc. cry unto her, [or, preach unto her] that her sombate is accomplished. [So he calleth all kind of misery and trouble wherewith they were to combated or encounter, combated, when God visited them therewith. In particular hereby may be understood the grievous wars wherewith the people of the Jews were for many years visited before Christs time; and understand further especially the enmity between God and us, which is taken away by Christ the Mediator. Others, her appointed time. See the Annotat. Job 7.on vers.1.] that her iniquity [that is, all her sins.] is reconciled, [Heb. Is become acceptable, or, well pleasing; namely unto God; that is, penitent sinners are received into grace and favour by the satisfaction of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the remission of their sins. Compare above chap.27.9.] that she hath received of the LORDS hand double [that is, abundantly, sufficiently. Compare Jer.16.18. and 17.18. also below chap.61.7.] for all her sins, [Or, for she hath received of the LORDS hand double for all her sins.] When God chasteneth his people, and they then do humble themselves under his correcting hand, his bowels of mercy (as the Scripture speaketh of God after the manner of men) are presently troubled for them, and he repenteth him that he hath smitten them sorely. See Jer.16.18.

3. A voice of one crying [Or, of the Preacher: to wit, of John the Baptist. See Mal.3. Mat.3.3. Mark 3. Luke 3:4. Joh.1.23.] in the wilderness: [to wit, at the time of Christs coming] prepare the way of the LORD, [that is, put away all wickedness and corruption out of your hearts, and seek for pardon of sins in and by Christ, that he may come in unto you, and dwell in your hearts, by faith.] make straight in the desert [So he calleth the sinful world, or the wickedness of men in it. Or these words may relate to the place where John the Baptist preached.] a path [Or, high way, street [for our God.]

4. All valleys shall be [exalted, and all mountains and hills shall be made low; and that which is crooked shall be made straight, etc. That which is knobby, a valley. [That is, he will make all things straight and even, & smooth. The hearts of the Elect shall be converted unto God; to wit, by the preaching of John the Baptist. See Luke 1:16.7.] all mountains and hills shall be low: [that is, proud and hypocritical persons shall be humbled, and be brought to the knowledge of their sins.] that which is crooked shall be made straight, [that is, craftiness and wickedness shall be turned into simplicity and uprightness.] and that which is knobby,] or crooked, [shall be made a valley, [that is, an even or a plain country.]

5. And the glory of the LORD, [That is, the great mercy and goodness of the Lord toward his people, and the glory of his truth, performing that which he had formerly promised,] shall be revealed: [To wit, in the person of the Messiah, by his incarnation, and divine miracles: Joh.1.14. 1 Tim.3.16.] and all flesh [that is, all the Elect of what state or condition soever they be: as below chap.60.verse.23.] shall see [that is, all the Elect of what state or condition soever they be: as below chap.60. ver.23.] shall see [that is believe and confess.] that the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. [that is, that the Lord is true in all his promises. Or this; and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of they Lord hath spoken it. Or thus, All flesh shall see together, that the mouth of the Lord. [to wit, the mouth of Christ] speaketh: to wit, teaching in the land of Juda. See ver.9.]

6. A voice [To wit, the voice of God, that instructeth the Prophets, Apostles, Evangelists, and all faithful Teachers in the doctrine of truth, which they are to hold forth unto men.] saith, Cry: [or preach. So straightway again] and he, [to wit, everyone Gods ministers] saith, what shall I cry? All flesh, [that is, all men, such as they are by nature. Psal.102.12. and 103.15. See also Psal.46.on vers.5. and Jam.1.10. 1 Pet.1.24.] is grass, [as fading and as perishing as grass, and of no value at all; so that they must seek their salvation without themselves, or out of themselves. Compare Job 14:2. Psal.90.5,6. And 102.12. and 103.15. Jom.1.10. 1 Pet.1.14.] and all the goodliness thereof, [that is, all the good its able to effect touching this temporal life and the managing of it. See 1 Pet.1.24.] (is) as a flower of the field.

7. The grass withereth, the flower falleth off when the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: verily the people is grass. Not only the common heap of sinful people, but also the people of God, even they are grass.

8. The grass withereth, the flower falleth off: but the word of our God standeth forever. [For it is an incorruptible feed, whereby we are born again unto life eternal, 1 Pet.1.23,25.]

9. O Zion, thou punisher of good tidings, [Others render these words thus, O thou (soul) that bringest good tidings unto Zion; Or, O thou preacher, or publisher of good tiding, salvation by Christ.] get thee up into an high mountain: O Jerusalem, thou publisher of good tidings; [O Zion, &c. O Jerusalem, &c. Where the Apostles should be endued with power from on high, and from whence the Gospel should go forth, to be dispersed or spread abroad throughout the whole world. See above chap.2.3. Mich.4.2. Acts 2. And 8.] Lift up thy voice with strength, lift it up, be not afraid, say unto the Cities of Juda, Behold (here) is your God. [to wit, Jesus Christ. See Acts chap.2.3.4.5.]

10. Behold the Lord LORD [To wit, Christ] shall come against the strong one, [these and the words that follow are now the words of the Prophet. By the strong one is meant here the Devil of hell, Mat.12.29. Joh.12.31. Colos.2.15. Heb.2.14. 1 Joh.3.8. Others with a strong (hand) [and his arm shall rule: [Others shall rule over him; to wit, over Satan, that is, Christ shall conquer the devil, (thus ruling is taken for conquering, below chap.41.2.) he shall strip him of his armour, and bereave him of his power. Compare Luke 11:2. Joh.12.31. Coloss.2.15. Heb.2.14.] behold his reward is with him, [his reward; that is, the punishment which he shall give to that strong one and his adherents; to wit, unto Satan and wicked men, to them he shall give eternal damnation, and a glorious recompense or reward unto his elect. Compare Rom.2.6. Revel.22.12.] and his wages [Heb. His work, that is, the wages or reward which he shall give unto men according to their works. Compare Jerem.22.13. with the Annotat.] is before his face.

11. He shall feed [That is, teach and instruct by the preaching of his word] his flock, [that is, his sheep, the faithful. See Ezek.34.23,24. And Joh.10.11.] like a shepherd, he shall gather the little lambs in his arms, and carry (them) in his bosom, [that is, he shall friendly entertain and comfort such as are gently lead them that give suck, [Or that are with young. Compare below chap.49.10.]

12. Who hath measured the waters with his fist? [Or with his hollow hand] and taken the measure of the heavens with the span? And hath comprehended the dust of the earth with a triental? [See of this sort of measure Annotat. Psal.80.on ver.6.] and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? [As if he done it? Whose Power, Wisdom, and Majesty are in finite and incomprehensible.]

13. Who hath directed [Or measured off, or weighed off; that is, perfectly known] the Spirit of the LORD? And (who) bath (as) his counsellor instructed him? [or taught him. Heb. Given him knowledge, or made him knowing. Compare Rom.11.34. and 1. Cor.2.16.]

14. With whom took he counsel, that should give him understanding, [Or that should make him understanding,] and should teach him concerning the path of judgement? And should teach him knowledge, and should make known unto him the way of manifold understanding? [Heb. Of understanding. As if he had said, who dare boast that he hath shewed God the way that he must walk in and keep, for to govern his creatures wisely and justify?]

15. Behold the nations are counted [To wit, of God, and being compared with him] as a drop of a bucket,] to wit, as a drop that hangeth on a bucket full of water, or, as a small drop of water that carrieth in the pail or bucket after the water is poured out] and as a small dust of the balance, [that is, that remaineth in the balance; to wit, when powder, or beaten spice, or some such thing hath been weighed in it] behold be casteth away [or heaveth, lifteth up: to wit, to cast them away] the Isles as thin dust.

16. And Libanon [That is, the trees of Libanon] is not sufficient to burn: [that is, would not be able to afford wood enough; to wit, when they should honour God according to his dignity and highness with a sufficient number of burnt-offerings. (to burn:) [and the beasts thereof, [that is, the beasts of Libanon, that is, the beasts that feed in mount Libanon] are not sufficient for a burnt-offering.

17. All nations before him are as nothing: [To wit, being compared to the Great and Almighty God, Dan.4.35.] and they are counted to him less then nothing, and vanity. [Or waste. See Genes.1. the Annotat. On ver.2.]

18. To whom then will ye liken God? Or what likeness will ye apply unto him? [To wit, in regard he is such a great and mighty God, and so full of Majesty. Compare below chap.46.5. Act.17.29.]

19. The workman [The Hebrew word signifieth properly a handy-craftsman, that worketh in copper, or in iron, or in wood. Here it signifieth a Founder; for there followeth immediately, that the Goldsmith gildeth it over. In ver.20. it signifieth a Carver or an engraver in wood or stone, that maketh images either of wood or stone] casteth an image [The Hebrew word signifieth properly a carved or graven image. But it is taken here for a cast or molten Image] etc. the goldsmith [The Hebrew word rendered here goldsmith signifieth properly a Founder or melter] covereth it over with gold, [Heb. Stretcheth it out, or spreadeth it over with gold, [Heb. Stretcheth it out, or spreadeth it out with gold. In Genes.1.6. the same Hebrew word is used. The meaning here is, the Goldsmith first spreadeth out the gold; to wit, when he beateth it out into thin plates or sheets, and then he overlaveth the Image, or covereth it over therewith] and casteth silver chains (for it) [Heb. Be casteth or melteth silver chains: [To wit, to make the Image fast therewith, that it may not fall down; or to adorn or beautify it therewith.

20. He that is (so) improverished that he hath nothing to offer, he chooseth out a tree (that) will not rot: [The meaning is, he that is so poor that he hath no copper to bring to the Founder, nor gold, nor silver to bring to the Goldsmith, to make an Image of: that is, he that is so poor as that he cannot spare much for to have a costly image made. Others, he that is poor, be chooseth out a tree that will not rot for an oblation. Others, is one in danger, an oblation, or offering; to wit, he voweth. How doth he pay it? He chooseth out a tree that will not rot, and that he offereth instead of goldor silver] he seeketh unto him a wise workman to prepare an Image (that) shall not wag. [Or that cannot move it self, or is not moved.]

21. Know ye not? Hear ye not, is it not told you from the beginning? [Heb. From the head: That is, from the very time that the foundation of the earth was laid. Some likewise take the words following thus: have ye not understood it from the foundations of the earth?] have ye not heeded the foundations of the earth? [As if he had said, ye people of Israel, to whom God revealed himself from the beginning, and to whom he gave his Law, should not ye know and understand, that Images are nothing but vanity, and that God neither can nor may be represented by an Image, & that there is no other God then the only eternal, true God, who hath created all things, and still preserveth, guideth, and governeth the same by his wisdom.]

22. It is be [To wit, God [that sitteth above upon the globe, and the inhabitation thereof are as grasshoppers [to wit, being compared with God. See this similitude also Numb.13.33.] it is he that stretcheth out the heavens as a thin cloth, and spreadeth them out as a tent, [them; to wit, the heavens. See Job 9:18. Psal.104.1. below chap.44.24.] to dwell in.

23. That bringeth, [Heb. Giveth. Compare Psal.2.2.] the Princes to nothing: he maketh the Judges of the earth as vanity, [that is, he maketh them to be as nothing before him: Or, he maketh them to perish quickly and come to nothing.]

24. Yea they [To wit, the Rulers and Judges of the earth] are not planted, [They cannot or shall not be or subsist, if God should be pleased to shew his power on them] yea they are not sown, yea their stock that is cut off taketh not root in the earth: also when he shall take them away as stubble, [That is, as if they were stubble.]

25. To whom the will ye liken me, that I should be like him? Saith the holy One. [To wit, God.]

26. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold, who hath created these things. [To wit, the things that are on high, to wit, the Heaven, and all that is in it, and on it] that bringeth forth. [Or, bringeth out] their host by number, [that is, the Stars, which he hath placed each in their several ranks and orders, and as an army causeth everyone to appear in their turns, and they are all obedient to him. See Psal.147.4.] that calleth them all by name, by reason of the greatness of (his) power, and (because) he is strong in might, there is not one missing: [to wit, of all those souldiers in his army; that is, of all the stars.]

27. Why sayest thou (then) O Jacob, [O my people, my Church] and speakest, O Israel, My way, [that is, my condition, namely, in what misery I am] is hid from the LORD, [As if he had said, the LORD knoweth not how it fareth with me, in regard he doth not deliver me out of my misery] and my judgement passeth over from my God, [that is, God doth not execute judgement for me upon mine enemies that persecute me wrongfully.]

28. Knowest thou it not? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth growth neither weary nor faint? [To wit, of governing the world, and his Church in it] there is no searching of his understanding. [See Psal.147.5.]

29. He giveth power to the weary one, and he multiplieth strength to him that hath no powers.

30. The youths [That is, the young and nimble persons, that rely upon their youth and strength [shall grow weary and faint, and the young men shall surely fall:

31. But they that wait upon the LORD, shall renew [Heb. Alter or change; To wit, by the working of the holy Ghost that dwelleth in them. See chap.41.1. (their) strength, they shall mount up with wings] as the Eagles. [This fowl lifteth it self up in the air higher then any other bird doth. See Job 39:30. Psal.103.5. Jerem.49.16. Obad.ver.4.] they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not grow saint.