John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 2:10

"Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, from before the terror of Jehovah, and from the glory of his majesty." — Isaiah 2:10 (ASV)

Enter into the rock As ungodly men, for the most part, lull themselves into excessive indifference regarding God’s threatenings, it is customary for the prophets, when they threaten sinners, to add lively descriptions in order to produce terror, as if to bring those matters directly before men’s eyes. This is why the Prophet now commands despisers of God to enter into the rocks and caves, to hide themselves underground.

First, he means that God’s judgment is more to be dreaded than a thousand deaths, and that to escape that judgment, they would wish to go down into the grave. But by addressing men themselves, he provides a more impressive illustration of the weight of divine vengeance.

From the dread of the LORD, and from the glory of his majesty Although by the dread of God he means the scourges by which God would take vengeance on a wicked people, it is not without good reason that he immediately adds His magnificent glory. It is as if he had said, “It is according to the measure of His own glory that God ought to be dreaded by the ungodly, in whose destruction He displays His boundless power.” But though the ungodly are not reformed or made to bow down by any punishment, they are forced to tremble when they feel the presence of God’s wrath.

Punishments instruct the elect to fear God in quite a different manner; for, as a consequence of being subdued by strokes, they learn to bear the yoke. Isaiah therefore declares that God’s glory will be more illustriously displayed when He shall come forth as a righteous judge; for when He conceals Himself, He is not observed, and they scarcely think of His existence.

Therefore, let pastors learn from this how they should deal with drowsy consciences, which must be awakened by God’s judgment, so that they may regard that judgment with actual dread. Though we often sing to the deaf, yet terror pierces even hearts of iron, so that they are without excuse. Frequently, too, it happens that some are healed; and in the same way, believers gain advantage from it when they learn the terrifying forms of punishment that await the ungodly and reprobate.