John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 44:8

"Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have I not declared unto thee of old, and showed it? and ye are my witnesses. Is there a God besides me? yea, there is no Rock; I know not any." — Isaiah 44:8 (ASV)

Fear not. Isaiah now explains the reason why he previously spoke of the power of God, that is, to confirm the faith of the people. From the preceding statements he draws this conclusion: "Since the Lord is so powerful, and governs all things at his pleasure, the people whom he has taken under his protection should not fear."

Have I not since then made you hear? He next repeats what he had already said: that God not only brought assistance secretly to the Jews, and suddenly, as if by sleight of hand, made his appearance when he was least expected, but also kept their faith alive by many predictions. In short, God gave clear proofs of his fatherly kindness, so that his divinity was clearly perceived.

It would be of no advantage to us that God knows and can do all things, if it were not also revealed how great a concern he takes in our salvation. Although, therefore, he wishes that many things should be unknown to us, yet he communicates everything that is useful or advantageous for us to know.

מאז, (meaz), from then, means a long period; or, if it is thought better, it denotes an opportunity, for the Lord reveals his secrets to the elect when he sees a fitting season. However, the former interpretation appears to me to be more simple.

Therefore you are my witnesses. He means what I have already remarked: that the people cannot plead the excuse of ignorance for not being satisfied with one God, for he has abundantly revealed himself to them, so as to give a testimony concerning himself.

The object intended to be gained by our knowledge of the glory of God is that we should profess his truth before men, as has already been said, if we do not wish to extinguish the light which he has brought to us by his Spirit.

Again, we cannot be "witnesses to God" if we are not confirmed by his truth, for a testimony proceeding from a doubtful opinion would be of no avail. Therefore, we must be taught by the Word of God so as to have a fixed and unhesitating hope of salvation.

And there is no strong God. In this passage, as in many others, he applies to God the epithet strong; for it is not enough to acknowledge God’s eternal essence if we do not also ascribe strength to him. Otherwise, we shall leave him nothing but a bare and empty name, as is done by wicked men, who with their mouth confess God and afterwards ascribe his power to this and to that.