Matthew Poole and continuators on Isaiah 27:4

4 Fury is not in me: who would set the briers and thorns against me in battel? I would go through them, I would burn them together .

To wit, against my Vineyard, or my People; which is easily understood both from the foregoing and following Verses. I have been displeased with them, and have chastised them; but I am not implacable towards them, and resolved utterly to destroy them, as their Enemies are, and would have me to be.

This is added as a Reason of the foregoing Clause and Assertion; which may be conceived either, 1. thus, I rather desire to contend with Briars and Thorns, i. e. with the wicked Enemies of my Church, who [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1+ letters]hus called Isa. 10. 17. Ezek. 28. 24. and if my Wrath [illegible: 1 word] now kindled against them, as it is against my People▪ i would be furious towards them, and never leave till [illegible: 1 word] utterly consumed them; but I will deal more indulgently with my People. Which Exposition seems to receive some [illegible: 1 word] and strength from v. 6, 7, 8. Or, 2. thus, For I consider the weakness of my People, that if I should let loose my Fury upon them, they could no more stand before me, than Briars and Thorns (to which God's People, when they fall into Sin, and provoke God, are not unfitly resembled) can stand before a devouring Fire, and therefore they would in an instant be utterly destroyed; which I will not do. And this Consideration of Mans Imbecillity is elsewhere alledged as a Reason of God's Indulgence, as Psal. 103. 13, 14, 15, 16. Isa. 57. 16. But this I deliver with submission.

Marginal references: Or, march against.