John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 58:12

"And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places; thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in." — Isaiah 58:12 (ASV)

And from you shall be those who shall restore the deserts of the age. By “deserts,” Isaiah means the frightful desolation that happened to the Jews when they were carried into captivity, for their country was reduced to a wilderness, the city was sacked, the temple was razed, and the people were brought into bondage and scattered. He calls these “deserts of the age” (or of perpetuity) because the temple could not be immediately repaired, and there was no hope of rebuilding it or of delivering the people.

If any city has been ruined or destroyed while its inhabitants remain, it may be quickly restored. But if none of the inhabitants survive, having been carried away to a distant country and being very far off, there can be no hope of rebuilding that city. It would be considered monstrous if, after it has lain in ruins for a long time, someone were to say that the people who appear to have perished will restore and rebuild it.

Therefore, since the promise appeared incredible, the Prophet intended to address this doubt. They might have objected, “If God wishes to restore us, why does He allow us to languish for so long?” He replies that no prolonged delay prevents God from raising to a high position again those who had been brought low for a long period. Nor must this be limited to the rebuilding of the temple, which was begun by Zerubbabel (Ezekiel 3:8) and continued by Nehemiah; it also includes the restoration of the Church, which followed after several centuries.

The phrase “From you” means that from that people, though seemingly half-dead, will arise those who will repair the melancholy ruins and will be architects or workmen to rebuild Jerusalem.

The verb בנו (banu), meaning “will build,” is translated by some in a passive sense; but as that rendering makes the meaning doubtful, the active meaning should be retained. A little later, he appears to ascribe to the whole people what he had said of a few individuals, but the meaning is the same. For, if the question is asked, “Who rebuilt Jerusalem?” undoubtedly it was that people; but out of that vast multitude, the Lord selected a small number and cut off the rest.

Some suppose the meaning to be that the cities will be insufficient for the number of inhabitants, so that they will be compelled to rebuild other cities that had been previously destroyed; but this interpretation seems too unnatural.

You will raise up the foundations of generation and generation. Some think this clause conveys what the Prophet had previously said, and that “the foundations of generation and generation” refers to those foundations that had long lain in a ruinous state. They reason that the building must be immediately raised and set up from these foundations, for various hindrances had arisen by which that work was interrupted.

However, we may view it as referring to the time to come: “You will raise up buildings which will last for a very long period.” For he seems to promise that the condition of the Church will be of long duration, as if he had said, “Other buildings do not last long, but this will last for many ages.” Yet if anyone prefers to view it as referring to the past, I am not much inclined to dispute with him.

And you shall be called. Here the Prophet includes both statements: namely, that the people would resemble a ruined building, and then, that they would be perfectly restored. He ascribes this to the Jews, that they will be repairers and directors of the ways; that is, the Lord will make use of their labors. For we should ascribe everything to the power of God, who is pleased to grant us so high an honor as to permit our hands to be applied to His work.

We have here a remarkable promise about gathering and raising up the ruins of the Church. Since the Lord is pleased to use our labor, let us not hesitate to be entirely devoted to it. Although the world may oppose and mock us, and consider us fools, let us take courage and conquer every difficulty. Our hearts should cherish assured confidence when we know that it is the work of the Lord, and that He has commanded us to execute it.