Commentary on Isaiah Volume 1 John Calvin (continued)
JOHN CALVIN
forward and insolent language against them, but, when they see the officers of justice close at their heels, suddenly tremble, and find that all their joy is turned into mourning, and that their condition is far worse than if they had not broken out of prison. Thus the wicked enjoy some momentary gladness, which they obtain by forgetfulness of their guilt; but the Lord immediately lays his hand on them, and terrifies their consciences in such a manner that they can find no rest.
19. From the time that it shall pass. He expresses more in this verse than in the preceding one; for he declares that the destruction of the reprobate is close at hand, though they promise to themselves everlasting happiness. Wicked men indeed perceive that they are liable to many calamities, but yet they flatter and stupefy themselves, and imagine that in this way they can ward off their calamities. They have in their mouth proverbs of this sort, "Let us not distress ourselves before the time: Let us enjoy the season while it lasts: Let us be cheerful, and not give ourselves uneasiness when we can avoid it." But he threatens that there hangs over their heads a hidden destruction, 504 and adds:
It shall seize you every morning, and shall pass every day by day and night. By "every morning" is meant "quickly and continually;" for it is only when they feel distress that wicked men are touched with the fear of God. Frequently indeed they are afraid when there is no danger; but it is a blind terror, for they do not understand whence their alarm proceeds. While God threatens, they are unconcerned, because they do not acknowledge him to be their judge, and thus they have no serious thoughts about God till they feel his hand. When he again repeats "in the morning," and afterwards adds, "by day and by night," he means, as I have said, that the scourge will be constant and daily; that they may not persuade themselves that it will be a light calamity, or deceive themselves by the hope of any mitigation; for, while the wrath of God against believers is momentary, against unbelievers it is eternal, for it never ceases to pursue them to the end.
Terror alone shall cause them to understand the report. 505 Here commentators differ. Jerome's translation is, "Terror shall give understanding to the report." But they come nearer to the meaning of the Prophet who give this interpretation, "The report alone shall make you understand," that is, "The men to whom the messenger shall come will be rendered obedient to God by the report alone." For my own part, I adopt a simpler view, though I do not choose to refute the expositions given by others. "It will come to pass that terror alone shall enable you to understand doctrine." As if he
504"Qu'il leur pend une horrible calamité sur leurs testes, laquelle ils ne voyent point;" — "That there hangs over their heads a dreadful calamity which they do not see."
505"And it shall be a vexation only to understand the report. Or, when he shall make you to understand doctrine." — (Eng. Ver.) "And even the report alone shall cause terror." — Lowth. "And it shall be terror merely to hear the report of it." — Stock. "And only vexation (or distress) shall be the understanding of the thing heard." — Alexander. "E'l sentirne il grido non produrrà altro che commovimento;" — "And to hear the cry of it will produce nothing but distress." — (Ital. Ver.)