Isaiah 28:16

Therefore: the coherence is something obscure and difficult. It may be made either,

1. Thus, Therefore I will bring most terrible judgments upon you; which are fully expressed, Isaiah 28:17. But before he comes to the commination, to which therefore properly belongs, he first propoundeth a comfortable promise concerning the sending of the Messiah, partly for the support of believers, who are apt to tremble at God's word, and might otherwise be apt to despond at the prediction of such dreadful things; and partly to aggravate their misery, by comparing it with the safety and happiness which the godly and believing Jews, whom they despised and mocked, should find in Zion; and by signifying that that blessed and sure Foundation laid in Zion should yield them no support nor benefit, nor secure them from the vengeance of God. Or,

2. Thus, Because your refuges are so mean, and vain, and deceitful; therefore I will direct you to a better and surer Refuge, which will never fail those that trust to it, which God hath made in Zion. But if you shall despise and reject that Refuge, which I now offer to you all, if you will believe, then know that I will lay judgment to the line, &c., as it follows, Isaiah 28:17. And this seems to me to be the most natural and easy connexion. I lay; I have purposed and promised it, and will, in the fulness of time, actually perform it. In Zion in my church, which is commonly called Zion; and in Jerusalem, where this Stone shall be first laid, which afterwards spread further, and filled the whole earth, as it is said of it, Daniel 2:35. For a Foundation, upon which I will build my church, consisting both of Jews and Gentiles, the Foundation of all the hopes, and comfort, and happiness of my people; the Foundation of my covenant made with my church, and of all my promises. A Stone; not Hezekiah, but the Messiah, as appears,

1. From those Scriptures of the Old Testament, in which Christ is called a Stone, as Psalms 118:22 Isaiah 8:14 Daniel 2:34,35,45 Zec 3:9.

2. From the New Testament, where this text is directly expounded of Christ, as Romans 9:32,33 1 Peter 2:4.

3. From the last clause, wherein he requires faith in this Stone, which is not to be given to any mere man, Jeremiah 17:5; and wherein he implies that this Stone was not yet come, nor to come speedily, into the world; whereas Hezekiah was king at the time of this prophecy.

4. From the usual practice of the prophets, and especially of this prophet, which is to comfort and fortify God's people against the dread of approaching calamities by that great and fundamental promise of the Messiah, in whom alone all other promises are yea and amen; whereof we have seen some instances already, and shall see more hereafter. A tried Stone; which I have tried, and approved as every way sufficient to be a Corner-stone, and a Foundation-stone. Such stones in buildings use to be chosen with care, and to be thoroughly examined by the builder. Precious; giving not only strength, but beauty and glory, to the building, as corner-stones frequently do, Psalms 144:12. Corner-stone; uniting the several parts of the building together, making Ephraim and Judah, now sadly divided, one stick, Ezekiel 37:19,24; and Jews and Gentiles, now implacable enemies, one church and people, Ephesians 2:14, &c. A sure Foundation, upon whom you may securely rest; one who will not fail nor deceive you, as your lying refuges will. He that believeth, to wit, this promise, or in this Stone, as it is explained, 1 Peter 2:6, shall not make haste; shall not make more haste than he ought, or, as we say, more haste than good speed; shall not hastily and greedily catch at any way of escaping his danger, whether it be right or wrong, but shall patiently wait upon God in his way till he deliver him. Withal, here is a plain intimation that the mercy here promised was not to be given presently, but after some considerable time; and therefore that they should quietly and patiently submit to God's will under their present difficulties, and expect the accomplishment of it in God's due time: compare Haggai 2:3. The word here rendered make haste, is by the seventy interpreters rendered be confounded, whom the apostles follow, Romans 9:33 1 Peter 2:6, either because they thought it most convenient, in a matter where the difference was not considerable, to follow that translation which was most used and best understood by the generality of Jewish and Gentile Christians; or because the same word hath both these significations in the Eastern languages, as the most learned and worthy Dr. Pocock hath proved; or because the one follows upon the other, and precipitation or haste commonly exposeth men to shame and confusion; which also is implied in the following verses, wherein the dreadful judgments of God are denounced against those who should not believe, and would make haste to prevent or remove their dangers by any means whatsoever.