John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 43:17

"who bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the mighty man (they lie down together, they shall not rise; they are extinct, they are quenched as a wick):" — Isaiah 43:17 (ASV)

When he brings out. He shows that no power or forces will hinder him from delivering his people, whenever he thinks proper. The sea that lay between them could not prevent God from bringing out his people; but he divided its waters in the midst and drowned the pursuing enemies, with their horses and chariots (Exodus 14:28). This is therefore an amplification, as if he had said, “Though the whole world is leagued for your destruction and attempts to hinder the deliverance of my Church, yet it will gain nothing; for not only will the Lord find out a way through whirlpools when he thinks proper, but he will overthrow and scatter all opposing efforts and will crush them so that they will never again raise their head.”

They are quenched like flax. It is possible that one who was vanquished in one battle may renew his strength in another and eventually be victorious; but here the Lord promises a continual victory, for he declares that the enemies will be subdued in such a manner that they will be completely extinguished. By the metaphor of flax, he expresses more vividly the sudden destruction of the enemies; for flax may indeed burn and give light but is immediately consumed.