John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 42:16

"And I will bring the blind by a way that they know not; in paths that they know not will I lead them; I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. These things will I do, and I will not forsake them." — Isaiah 42:16 (ASV)

And I will lead the blind. After having shown that the strength of the enemies cannot prevent God from delivering his people, he proceeds with that consolation to which he had formerly referred.

He describes by the word blind those whose affairs are so difficult, and intricate, and disordered that they do not know which way to turn or in what direction to flee—in short, those who see no means of escape, but deep gulfs on every side.

When our affairs proceed smoothly enough, a plain and easy path is placed before our eyes. Similarly, when our affairs are painful and distressing, especially when they offer no hope of relief but threaten us with destruction and are covered with deep and melancholy darkness, we are blinded.

When we thus have no means of escape, the Prophet tells us that at that very time we ought especially to hope and look for assistance from the Lord.

It is often advantageous to us also to have no way open to us, to be constrained and hemmed in on every side, and even to be blinded, that we may learn to depend solely on God’s assistance and to rely on him; for, so long as a plank is left on which we think that we can seize, we turn to it with our whole heart.

While we are driven about in all directions, the consequence is that the remembrance of heavenly grace fades from our memory. If, therefore, we desire that God should assist us and relieve our adversity, we must be blind, we must turn away our eyes from the present condition of things and restrain our judgment, so that we may entirely rely on his promises.

Although this blindness is far from being pleasant and shows the weakness of our mind, yet, if we judge from the good effects which it produces, we ought not to greatly shun it; for it is better to be blind persons guided by the hand of God than, by excessive sagacity, to form labyrinths for ourselves.

And will turn darkness before them into light. When he promises that he will give light instead of darkness, he confirms what has already been said.

Therefore, although we do not see even a ray of light in adversity, yet we ought not to despair of God’s assistance; instead, at that very time we ought especially to embrace his promises. For the Lord will easily change darkness into light, make straight the crooked windings, and lead us into the path, so that we may walk with safety.

Yet let us perceive that these things are promised to believers alone, who entrust themselves to God and allow themselves to be governed by him; and, in short, who have known their blindness, willingly follow him as their leader, and patiently wait amidst the darkness of afflictions for the dawn of grace. To those only who abide by his promises does he stretch out his hand, and not to the wise men who wish to see in spite of him, or who are carried headlong by unlawful schemes.