John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 44:11

"Behold, all his fellows shall be put to shame; and the workmen, they are of men: let them all be gathered together, let them stand up; they shall fear, they shall be put to shame together." — Isaiah 44:11 (ASV)

Lo, all his companions shall be ashamed. Not only does he attack the workers and makers of idols, but he also generally attacks all their worshippers, because they are so dull and stupid that as soon as the trunk of a tree has received some new shape, they look upon it as containing the power of God. He means that not only shall the framers of idols be punished for their effrontery, but also all who have entangled themselves in the same superstitions; for it is right that those who share the same guilt should be subjected to the same punishment. Nor can they, on the other hand, plead any excuse, for they see that their idols, which proceeded from human hands, are mute and worthless; so far is it from being possible that they are gods.

Though they all assemble. Whatever conspiracy may be entered into by wicked men, yet, when they shall come to the judgment seat of God, they must be ashamed. Nor is it without cause that the Prophet threatens them with trembling and shame, because wicked men usually are haughty and insolent, and look on all other men with scorn.

They boast of their vast numbers, just as the Papists in the present day despise our small numbers, and swell with insolence, and with amazing presumption attack God and His doctrine. In this passage, therefore, Isaiah appeals to the consciences of wicked men, because although they are driven by the most inveterate obstinacy and rebellion, yet sometimes they are constrained to tremble when they ask themselves, “What are we doing?” and inquire into the reason for their actions; for they have nothing firm or solid on which they can safely rest.

They are bold as long as they are hurried on by their rage, but when they come to themselves and take some leisure for reflection, they are terrified and dismayed. Therefore, we need not be alarmed at their rage, pride, and vast numbers, for they shall quickly pass away.

Let us not therefore be moved by the conspiracies, displays, pride, rage, and schemes of the Papists, since we know that all these things tend to their shame and destruction. For the more haughtily they swell and exalt themselves against God, the heavier shall be their fall, and the deeper their disgrace.