John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 50:10

"Who is among you that feareth Jehovah, that obeyeth the voice of his servant? he that walketh in darkness, and hath no light, let him trust in the name of Jehovah, and rely upon his God." — Isaiah 50:10 (ASV)

Who is among you that feareth the Lord? After speaking of God’s invincible aid, by which all prophets are protected, he directs his discourse to believers, so that they may allow themselves to be guided by the Word of God and become obedient. From this, we may infer how far a holy boasting raised him above his slanderers; for, because wicked men, through their vast numbers, had great influence among the Jews at that time, there was a risk of overwhelming the faith of the small minority.

When he asks, “Where are they that fear God?” he points out that their number is small. Yet he addresses them separately, so that they may detach themselves from the mixed crowd and not take part in counsels which are wicked and which God has condemned. In the same way, we have previously encountered these words: Say ye not, A confederacy (Isaiah 8:12). Therefore, although the enemies of God are so numerous as to constitute a vast army, Isaiah does not hesitate to say that there are some left who will profit from his doctrine.

He speaks to those who “fear God,” for wherever there is no religion and no fear of God, doctrine can find no entrance. We see how audaciously doctrine is rejected by those who, in other respects, wish to be considered sharp and wise; for, because they are swollen with pride, they detest modesty and humility and are exceedingly foolish regarding this wisdom of God.

It is not without good reason, therefore, that he lays this foundation, namely, the fear of God, so that His Word may be heard attentively and diligently. From this it is also evident that true fear of God is found nowhere except where people listen to His Word. For hypocrites proudly and haughtily boast of piety and the fear of God, but they manifest rebellious contempt when they reject the doctrine of the Gospel and all godly exhortations. The clear proof regarding such people is that the mask they desire to wear is torn off.

Let him hear the voice of his servant. He might have simply said, “the voice of God,” but he expressly says, “of His servant,” because God does not wish to be heard except through the voice of His ministers, whom He employs to instruct us. Isaiah speaks first of himself, and then of all others who have been entrusted with the same office. There is an implied contrast between the “hearing” he demands and the wicked eagerness to despise doctrine in which irreligious people indulge, while, by their insolence, they also encourage many idle and foolish persons to practice similar contempt.

He who hath walked in darkness. Believers might have objected that the fruit of their piety was not visible, but that they were miserably afflicted, as if they had lived a life of abandoned wickedness. Therefore, the Prophet anticipates and sets aside this complaint by affirming that believers, though they have been harshly treated until now, do not obey God and His Word in vain; for, if they have walked in darkness, they will at last enjoy the light of the Lord.

By “darkness” the Prophet here means not the ignorance or blindness of the human understanding, but the afflictions by which the children of God are almost always overwhelmed. And this is the consolation which he previously mentioned, when he declared that the tongue of the learned had been given to him, that he might speak a word to one who was faint (Isaiah 50:4). Thus he promises that those who have until now been discouraged and almost overwhelmed by so many distresses will receive consolation.