John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 50:8

"He is near that justifieth me; who will content with me? let us stand up together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me." — Isaiah 50:8 (ASV)

He is near that justifieth me. We should always keep in mind that the Prophet mentions nothing unique to himself, but testifies what the Lord chooses to be, and will always be, toward faithful ministers.

Therefore, whoever has this testimony—that God has sent him and knows that he carries out his office faithfully—can boldly despise all adversaries and not be moved by their reproaches, for he is “justified” by the Lord. Likewise, the Lord always is, and will be, near to defend and maintain His truth.

Furthermore, for anyone to be able to make this declaration, it is necessary for his conscience to be pure. For if anyone thrusts himself rashly into the office and has no testimony of his calling, or brings forward his dreams publicly, he will boast in vain of this promise, which belongs only to those who have been called by God and who sincerely and uprightly perform their duty.

Now, although hypocrites or despisers never cease to trouble the servants of God, Isaiah nevertheless advances to meet them, as if no one would venture to pick a quarrel or utter a slander—not because he can keep them in check, but because they will gain nothing by all their attempts.

He therefore declares that he looks down with utter contempt on the false accusations that the enemies of sound doctrine pour out against its teachers. There is no crime they do not accuse them of, but their efforts are fruitless, for the Judge, by whom their integrity is maintained, is not far off. They may, therefore, as Paul did, boldly appeal from the wicked and unjust judgments of men to “the day of the Lord,” by whom their innocence will be made manifest (1 Corinthians 4:4).

Let us stand together. Godly teachers should have such great confidence as not to hesitate to give a bold defiance to adversaries.

Satan, with his agents, does not always venture to attack openly, especially when he fights with falsehoods; instead, by ambush and by burrowing underground, he endeavors to take them by surprise. But the servants of God are not afraid to “stand up” openly, enter into contest with the enemy, and contend by arguments, provided that adversaries are willing to enter the contest.

So great is the force of truth that it does not dread the light of day. As we say, Isaiah here boldly attacks those whom he perceives to be plotting against him, and therefore he repeats:

Let him draw near to me. Godly ministers should be ready to give a reason for their doctrine. But where is the person who is willing to hear them patiently and to consider the nature of the doctrine they publicly declare?

Indeed, adversaries will approach, but it is to draw their swords to slay them and to sharpen their tongues so that by every kind of slander they may tear them in pieces. In short, their whole defense consists of arms or deceitful stratagems, for they do not venture to contend with scriptural arguments.

Relying, therefore, on the justice of our cause, we can freely defy them to the conflict. Though they condemn us without listening to our defense, and though they have many who support the sentence they have pronounced, we have no reason to be afraid, for God, whose cause we plead, is our Judge and will in the end acquit us.