Commentary on Isaiah Volume 1 John Calvin (continued)
JOHN CALVIN
Accordingly, when Rezin had been slain, (2 Kings 16:9,) that country was entirely ruined. Still more does he heighten this, by adding, he shall mingle; 149 for he means that the Lord will gather together and mingle various enemies whom he will commission to destroy the king of Syria, as the soldiers who composed the army of that vast monarchy were collected out of various nations.
12. Syria in front. 150 The Prophet shows what will be the nature of this change, and what will happen after the death of Rezin, (2 Kings 16:9,) who had allied himself with Israel against Judah; namely, that the Syrians, after the death of their king, from being allies will suddenly become enemies, and will make war against Israel, which took place. (2 Kings 17:3.) This is what he means when he says that Syria will be in front; for I do not agree with those expositors who make Syria to mean "those on the East," and the Philistines "those on the West." A more natural meaning is, that the enemies will invade them on every side; because on all sides they who had been regarded as faithful friends will rise up to destroy them. The phrases in front and behind agree with the ordinary modes of speaking, so that we ought not to seek an interpretation that is new and foreign to the purpose.
From this example we ought to learn what it is to rely on human power and the alliances of kings, and especially when, in consequence of being entangled by unlawful covenants, we become careless and fall asleep; for as soon as the Lord pleases, they who were formerly on our side will, in the smallest portion of time, be turned against us to our ruin; and remedies, which we thought would be useful to us will prove to be our destruction, and will assist us both before and behind. We ought also to observe that God does not all at once expend all his scourges, but when we proceed obstinately, and provoke him more and more, he increases and multiplies the chastisements, and still inflicts a new kind of punishment, till at length he subdues our obstinacy and rebellion.
And will devour Israel with the whole mouth. 151 The phrase with the whole mouth, 152 is equivalent to an ordinary idiom of our own, (a pleine bouche,) with full mouth. As if he had said, "Israel will be exposed as a prey to her enemies, so that on every hand she will be devoured with open mouth, both by the Syrians and by the Philistines."
His anger is not turned away. This is the severest of all, and beyond everything else ought to have terrified the ungodly, that if they had suffered much, they have more to endure; that new punishments continually await them, because by going on in their obstinacy they inflame still more the wrath of God. Men take this as an incentive to more obstinate and determined wickedness, that, having suffered some punishment, they think that
149The Syrians before. — Eng. Ver. 150With open mouth. Margin, Heb., with whole mouth. — Eng. Ver. 151( פה, בכלbechol peh,) ὁλῷτῷστόματι, toto ore, plenis faucibus; a metaphor from beasts of prey eagerly devouring their food. --- Rosenmuller
152For the people turneth not. — Eng. Ver.