John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 28:13

"Therefore shall the word of Jehovah be unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little; that they may go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken." — Isaiah 28:13 (ASV)

The word of the Lord shall therefore be to them. Although the Prophet repeats the same words, the meaning is somewhat different. Having previously spoken of voluntary stupidity, he now threatens its punishment: God will strike them with such bewilderment that they will be totally deprived of the benefit of saving doctrine and will perceive in it nothing but an empty sound.

In short, he concludes from what has been said before that since the Jews had not profited from the word of God, they will be justly punished for their ingratitude. This punishment is not that the word will be taken from them, but that they will be deprived of sound judgment and understanding, and will be blind in the midst of the clearest light.

Thus God blinds and hardens the reprobate more and more on account of their disobedience.

Paul quotes this passage (1 Corinthians 14:21) when he rebukes the Corinthians for foolish affectation. This was because they were so influenced by ambition that they regarded with the highest admiration those who spoke in a foreign tongue, just as common people are accustomed to stare at everything unknown and uncommon.

This passage in Paul’s writings has been misunderstood because these words of the Prophet have not been properly considered.

Paul applies these words most appropriately to his purpose, for he shows that the Corinthians are influenced by a foolish and absurd admiration and that they improperly aspire to things from which they can derive no advantage.

In short, they are “like children, not in malice, but in knowledge and understanding.” Thus, they voluntarily bring upon themselves the curse that the Prophet here threatens. The word of God becomes to them precept on precept, and they receive no more instruction from it than if a person were to shout out to them in an unknown tongue.

It is the height of madness for them to bring upon themselves, by idle affectation, the blindness and stupidity that the Lord threatens against obstinate and rebellious people. Paul therefore explains and clarifies this statement made by the Prophet, for he shows that those who abuse the doctrine of salvation do not deserve to make any progress in it whatsoever.

We have seen a very similar passage in which the Prophet compared his doctrine to “sealed letters” (Isaiah 8:16). Later we will find that the Prophet compares it to a book that is “shut” (Isaiah 29:11). This takes place when, on account of human ingratitude, God takes judgment and sound understanding from them, so that, seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, and thus are most justly punished (Isaiah 6:9; Mark 4:12).

This should be carefully observed, for frequently we think that all is well with us and are highly delighted with ourselves because we continue to enjoy the word. But what good will it do us if it does not enlighten our understanding and regulate our hearts? We thus bring upon ourselves a heavier judgment.

Therefore, we need a twofold grace:

1. That God would shine on us through His word.
2. That He would open our understandings and dispose our hearts to obedience.

Otherwise, we will derive no more help from the brilliance of the gospel than blind people derive from the brightness of the sun. By this punishment, therefore, we are reminded that we must not abuse the word of God, but must look directly to the purpose that the Lord presents to us in the word.

They shall fall backward, and be broken and snared. Finally, he describes the destruction of those who are blind to this brightness of the word, for nothing remains for them but to be thrown down headlong. Because they have departed from the right path, they must therefore stumble and fall.

He means that the fall will not be slight, for they will be bruised by it.

Using the word snared, he employs another metaphor: for all unbelievers “snares” are prepared, by which they will be entangled and drawn to destruction.

We encountered a similar sentiment previously (Isaiah 8:15), expressed in nearly the same words, for there the Prophet speaks on the same subject: the blinding of the people, who by their obstinacy had provoked the wrath of God.

He shows that those who go astray, in opposition to the word of God, are always very near destruction. Either they will meet with stumbling blocks on which they will “stumble,” or with snares by which they will be “ensnared.” In short, it will be impossible for evil not to befall those who do not keep the path that God has pointed out, for either they will openly “fall and be bruised,” or through concealed traps they will fall into a “snare.”