John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 51:13

"and hast forgotten Jehovah thy Maker, that stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and fearest continually all the day because of the fury of the oppressor, when he maketh ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?" — Isaiah 51:13 (ASV)

And hast forgotten Jehovah thy Maker. It is not enough to imagine that there is some God, but we ought to acknowledge and embrace Him as ours. When the prophet calls Him “Maker,” this must not be understood to refer to universal creation, but to spiritual regeneration, as we have already explained in other passages. In this sense Paul calls us (τὸ ποίημα) “the workmanship of God” (Ephesians 2:10), because He has created us for every good work. Thus, if we remember our creation and adoption, these beginnings may encourage us to hope for continued progress, so that we may not be ungrateful to God, when He has proved His veracity by undoubted experience.

Who hath stretched out the heavens and founded the earth. To the special kindness which God had exercised towards His people, He likewise adds His boundless power, which He contrasts with the weakness of men, whom He formerly compared to withered grass (Isaiah 40:7). He demonstrates that power by His works, so that those who do not perceive it must be exceedingly senseless; for we cannot turn our eyes in any direction without perceiving very abundant testimonies of divine goodness and power. These testimonies, however, are briefly described by a figure of speech in which a part is taken for the whole, when He says that it is He who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth. It is therefore the greatest folly and indolence to forget Him, for so numerous are the signs and testimonies which recall Him to the remembrance of men.

And hast dreaded continually. He continues the same comparison. “What are men,” He asks, “that you should dread them, if you compare them to God, who promises you His assistance?” Assuredly, God is grievously blasphemed if we refuse to believe that He is more powerful to preserve us than enemies are to destroy us. Therefore, the Lord bids us consider who and what He is, and how vast and extensive His power is, so that we may not dread the fury of a mortal man, who vanishes like a whirlwind or like smoke.