John Gill Commentary Isaiah 57:10

"Thou wast wearied with the length of thy way; yet saidst thou not, It is in vain: thou didst find a quickening of thy strength; therefore thou wast not faint." — Isaiah 57:10 (ASV)

You are wearied in the greatness of your way
Or, "in the multiplicity of your ways" ^F21 : which were so many, as were enough to make her weary; the steps which were taken to obtain so much power over kings and kingdoms, which was gradually got with great pains and artifice, and to amass such vast treasures, and to enlarge her interest, and spread her religion in the world; the multitude of stratagems devised, and vast number of men employed, and embassies made to carry her point everywhere.

Jarchi's note is, ``to fulfil your desires, and to enlarge your substance:'' yet did you not say, there is no hope ; as men in a good cause are apt to do, upon every difficulty that arises; but here, in this case, though the cause was very bad, yet when schemes did not take, or not so soon as wished for and expected, new difficulties arose, and opposition made; yet no cost nor pains were spared to gain the point in view, and establish a kingdom and hierarchy; which at last succeeded: this expresses the resolution, constancy, and pertinency of the bishops of Rome in their ambitious views and claims of power, who would not give out, nor despair of arriving at what they aimed at; and which, through great fatigue and labour, they attained unto:

you have found the life of your hand ; that which was sought for and laboured after; sovereignty over all bishops and churches; power over kings and kingdoms; and an universal empire over consciences, as well as over churches and nations; and also immense treasure and riches to support the pope, cardinals, priests; and perhaps giving life to the image of the beast that it should speak, and cause those that would not worship it to be killed, may be included, (Revelation 13:15) . The Targum is, ``you have multiplied (or as other copies) you have found great riches.'' Jarchi's note is, ``the necessity of your hands, you have found prosperity in your works:''

therefore you were not grieved ; at the toil and labour used, pains taken, and weariness contracted; the issue was an over recompence for all the trouble and difficulty that attended it: or, "therefore you were not sick" ^F23 ; of the undertaking; did not despond in mind, or languish without hope of succeeding, finding ground was gained; and at last things went according to wishes; and then it caused no grief to reflect upon the fatigue and trouble that had been endured; and also grieved not at the idolatry introduced, nor repented of it; see (Revelation 9:20Revelation 9:21) , So the Targum interprets it of impenitence.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F21: (Kkrd brb) "in multitudine viae tuae", Pagninus, Montanus.
• F23: (tylx al) "non aegrotasti", Pagninus, Montanus, "non aegrotas", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.