John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 41:22

"Let them bring forth, and declare unto us what shall happen: declare ye the former things, what they are, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or show us things to come." — Isaiah 41:22 (ASV)

Let them bring them forth. Not only does he attack idolaters, but he bids them bring forward the gods themselves along with them, as if he had said, “Whatever their ingenuity may be, they will not be advocates able to defend such a bad cause.” Here we see God sustaining the character of an advocate and speaking in the name of the whole nation, for he does not wish to be separated from his Church, which he therefore confirms and fortifies against the mockeries of wicked men and other contrivances by which they attack our faith. Therefore, we ought to be of good cheer when God undertakes our cause, comes forth publicly against idolaters, and, armed with his invincible truth, rises up against the idols and puts their vanity to silence.

In this manner he shows that by his word he has most abundantly armed his elect for certain victory, so that they should not hesitate to attack and join battle with all unbelievers. Indeed, whoever has profited by heavenly doctrine as he ought will easily repel all the tricks of Satan with steadfast and victorious faith. It is true, indeed, that our faith begins with obedience. However, submissiveness, through which we submit our senses to God, precedes understanding in such a way that it illuminates our minds with certain knowledge. By this mark, true religion is distinguished from superstitions, for it is regulated by a rule that is not doubtful and cannot deceive. Idolaters are indeed exceedingly proud of their errors, but all their obstinacy proceeds from stupidity, madness, or fanatical violence; for if they would soberly and calmly attend to sound doctrine, that pride by which they obscure the light of truth would speedily give way.

It is very different with the godly, whose faith is indeed founded on humility but is not rashly led away by foolish and inconsiderate zeal. For it has as its guide and teacher the Spirit of God, so that it may not go astray from the sure light of the word. Accordingly, when there is no rule to distinguish, as the Prophet declares, it is absolute superstition. Now, since nothing should be rejected at random, believers say, “Bring them forth, and we will give our heart to them.” This is not because those whom God has taught should still be ready to turn to either side, but because superstitious persons can bring forward no argument except what is ridiculous. Again, therefore, he points out the distinction between stupid obstinacy and true faith, which is founded on the word of God, so that it can never fail.

And let them tell us what is to come. We must now inquire into the arguments by which the Prophet maintains the majesty of God; for God claims for himself Almighty power and foreknowledge of all things, in such a way that they cannot be ascribed to another without the most shocking blasphemy. Hence it is concluded that these things are peculiar to the Godhead, so that whoever knows all things and can do all things is justly believed to be God. In this manner, therefore, the Prophet now argues, “If the idols that you worship are gods, they must know all things and be able to do all things; but they can do nothing either in prosperity or in adversity, and they know nothing of the past or the future; and therefore they are not gods.”

Here arises a difficult question. In the writings of heathen authors, we find many predictions that they received from the oracles of their gods, which might lead us to believe that Apollo, Jupiter, and others foreknew future events and consequently were gods. I reply, first, if we consider the nature of those oracles that are reported to have been uttered by idols, we will find that they were all obscure and doubtful, like that which was given to Pyrrhus—

“Aio te Æacida Romanos vincere posse,”

or that to Croesus—

“Croesus Halym penetrans magnam pervertet opum vim.”

By embarrassing ambiguities of this sort, Satan tortured the minds of men, so as to send away in uncertainty those who were the victims of that imposture.

But we must also believe what Paul teaches: that Satan has received power to give effect to error, so that he may deceive all the ungodly men who willingly give themselves up to his delusions (2 Thessalonians 2:11). Thus, when they consulted Satan, “the father of falsehood” (John 8:44), it was not surprising that they should be deceived under the pretense of truth; but it was a most righteous reward for their ingratitude.

We see that Satan was freely permitted to increase, by means of the false prophets, the blindness of Ahab, who took pleasure in such delusions (1 Kings 22:22). It was equally just that heathen nations, having alienated themselves from the true God, should be caught by idle snares and even drawn to destruction.

And here it is superfluous to pursue the argument on which Augustine expended so much toil and effort: how far devils approach heavenly angels in foreknowledge. For the cause must be sought in something other than their nature. Thus, in ancient times, by giving wicked teachers the opportunity of practicing deception, God revenged the crimes of his people. This was not because these teachers excelled in the gift of understanding; rather, insofar as they were suited for this purpose, they freely exercised the permission that was granted to them.

Regarding God himself, though his foreknowledge is concealed and is even a deep abyss, yet he revealed it plainly enough to the elect people, so as to distinguish himself from the multitude of false gods. This is not to say that he foretold everything through his prophets, for the curiosity of men is insatiable, and it is not advantageous for them to know everything. Rather, it is because he concealed nothing that is profitable for them to know. Through many remarkable predictions, he showed, as far as was necessary, that he takes special care of the Church, as Amos says,

“Shall there be any secret that God doth not reveal to his servants the prophets?” (Amos 3:7).

This privilege was wickedly and shamefully abused by the Jews, who universally trafficked in their trivial predictions among the Gentiles. But the truth always shone so brightly in the heavenly oracles that all who guarded against snares clearly perceived by it that the God of Israel, and he alone, is God.

The idols were so far from demonstrating their foreknowledge that believers, who had been taught in the school of God, could no more be deceived by them than a person with good eyesight could be made to mistake black for white at midday. Much less could they ascribe power to the idols, since it was evident from the predictions that were daily uttered that God alone directs both prosperity and adversity.

The Assyrian conqueror gave thanks to his idols; but God had previously forewarned the Jews what would happen and had even plainly showed that he armed that wicked man for the purpose of executing his vengeance.