John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 26:18

"We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen." — Isaiah 26:18 (ASV)

We have as it were brought forth wind. The second thing to be remarked is that he goes beyond the limit of the metaphor. When there is no end to their distresses, the condition of the godly is worse than that of women in labor, who, as soon as they are free from their pains, break out into joy at the sight of what they have brought forth (John 16:21) and forget all their sorrows.

The godly, on the other hand, he tells us, are continually bringing forth, for new troubles and anxieties constantly await them. When they think that the birth is at hand, they bring forth nothing but anguish.

That is what he means by wind: that there is no removal or abatement of pain. Immediately afterwards he explains it thus: Salvations have not been wrought for the land; that is, we have not seen any deliverance.

And the inhabitants of the world have not fallen. יפלו ובל (ūbăl yĭppĕlū), that is, have not fallen; for נפל (nāphăl) means “to fall.” Others explain it “to dwell.” If we understand it in that sense, the meaning will be, “The Jews shall not dwell,” that is, they shall not return to their own land; the inhabitants who possess it shall not perish. But if we follow the ordinary interpretation, we must view it as referring to the wicked: “The inhabitants of the world annoy us and do not fall; everything goes on prosperously with them.”

As long as the wicked flourish, the children of God must be unhappy and become like women in labor; and this condition must be quietly endured by us, if we wish to have a place in the Church of God.

It is, indeed, the common lot of all to endure numerous and endless afflictions; hence comes the old proverb, “It is happy not to be born, or, when born, immediately to depart out of life.”

But we see that the godly are visited with severe anguish and very heavy afflictions beyond others. For in this manner God wishes to test their faith, so that, after having laid aside their desires and forsaken the world, they may serve Him.

Since, therefore, the Lord has a special care for them, He must chastise them, while He permits wicked men to indulge in unbounded licentiousness.

Here we are also reminded that we must endure not merely one calamity or another, and must not imagine that, when we have endured some afflictions, there are none in reserve for us; for we ought always to be prepared to endure new ones.

When God begins to chastise His people, He does not immediately cease. We shall bring forth wind when we think that the birth is at hand; other calamities will break out, and we shall be continually attacked by additional sorrows.

We must therefore maintain this warfare as long as it pleases God to employ us in it. Accordingly, we shall follow the ordinary interpretation, have not fallen. For, as the Lord cheers His people when He reveals to them His salvation and punishes the wicked, so He gives them occasion to groan as long as they see their enemies placed in a lofty position and exercising high authority.

And if the Lord tested His Church in this manner in former times, we need not wonder that we experience the same thing today.

By the inhabitants of the world he means heathens and irreligious men; for he contrasts the rest of the world with Judea, which He formerly called, by way of eminence (κατ’ ἐξοχήν), the land, and mentions its inhabitants apart.