Commentary on Isaiah Volume 2 John Calvin (continued)
COMMENTARY ON ISAIAH
has chosen him to take Babylon by force. The word loved is not employed in an absolute sense, but {πρὸς} {τὶ}; with reference to a particular object; and therefore it is limited to the successful result of the expedition. In like manner Saul, with reference to a particular object, was dear to God, so that he reigned for a time, and was even endued with the gift of prophecy. (1 Samuel 10:10.) The case is different with believers, whom God has embraced with an unchangeable love, and whom he never permits to fall away from him. He intimates that Cyrus will take Babylon by force, in consequence of having undertaken this work by God's appointment and direction, not indeed intentionally on his part, but in such a manner as God makes even the ignorant and blind to go where he pleases, or compels them against their will to yield obedience; for the Prophet does not applaud Cyrus for voluntary obedience, but rather magnifies the providence of God, by which he leads all men to execute his counsel.
And his arm. 237 Some read the word "arm" in the nominative, and others in the accusative case; but it makes little difference as to the meaning. Arm may here be taken for "work," and in a metaphorical sense; and thus the passage will read more smoothly. "He will execute his counsel on Babylon, his work on the Babylonians;" for we know that it is a distinguishing peculiarity in the style of the prophets to join together "the work of the Lord" and his "counsel." Indirectly he reproaches the Jews with their ingratitude in refusing to believe the promises of God, though he points out the event, as it were, with the finger, and speaks in a very different manner from that in which either diviners or false gods are accustomed to speak. In a word, he wishes to convince the Jews that, the taking of Babylon by storm shall be "the work of the Lord," under whose direction Cyrus shall execute it, in order that the Church may at length be delivered.
15. Therefore he shall prosper in his way. He again reminds the Jews of the predictions, and claims for God this honor, that, by foretelling the event in due time, he has removed all doubt; and next he adds, that all that had been foretold shall be accomplished. Accordingly, in the repetition of the pronoun, It is I, it is I who have spoken, there is a double emphasis; first, tlmt none but the God of Israel hath spoken about future and hidden events, and secondly, that, because he is faithful and never deceives, all the events which he has foretold shall undoubtedly take place. Accordingly, in the last clause of the verse I consider the copulative {( }וvau) to mean therefore. Here Isaiah has two objects in view; first, that the captive Jews may expect deliverance, and secondly, that, after having been delivered, they may acknowledge God to be the author of so valuable a blessing, and may not imagine that it took place either by the assistance of men or by chance.
Surely I have called him, I have conducted him. He declares that everything shall go prosperously with Cyrus, because Jehovah "hath called him;"
237"Afin de destourner les idiots (qu'ils appellent) de lira dedans." "In order to dissuade idiots (as they call them) from reading it."