Matthew Poole and continuators on Isaiah 28:16

16. Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation , a stone , a tried stone , a precious cornerstone , a sure foundation : he that believeth , shall not make hast .

The Coherence is something obscure and difficult. It may be made either 1. thus, Therefore I will bring most terrible Judgments upon you; which are fully expressed, ver. 17. 18, 19, 20, 21. But before he comes to the Commination, to which, therefore, properly belongs, he first propoundeth a comfortable Promise concerning the sending of the Messiah, partly for the support of Believers, who are apt to tremble at God's Word, and might otherwise be apt to despond at the prediction of such dreadful Things: And partly to aggravate their Misery by comparing it with the safety and happiness, which the Godly, and Believing Iews, whom they despised and mocked, should find in Zion; and by signifying, that that blessed and sure Foundation laid in Zion, should yield them no support nor benefit, nor secure them from the Vengeance of God. Or 2. thus, Because your Refuges are so mean, and vain, and deceitful; therefore I will direct you to a better and surer Refuge, which will never fail those that trust to it, which God hath made in Zi[illegible: 1+ letters] ▪ But if you shall despise and reject that Refuge, which I now offer to you All, if you will Believe; then know, that I will lay judgment to the line, &c. as it follows, ver. 17. And this seems to me, to be the most natural and easy Connexion.

I have purposed and promised it, and will, in the fulness of time, actually perform it.

In my Church, which is commonly called Zion; and in Ierusalem, where this Stone shall be first laid, which afterwards spread further, and filled the whole Earth, as it is said of it, Dan. 2. 35.

Upon which I will Build my Church, consisting both of Iews and Gentiles, the Foundation of all the hopes, and comfort, and happiness of my People; the Foundation of my Covenant made with my Church, and of all my Promises.

Not Hezekiah, but the Messiah, as appears: 1. From those Scriptures of the Old-Testament, in which Christ is called a Stone, as Psal. 118. 22. Isa. 8. 14. Dan. 2. 34, 35, 45. Zach. 3. 9. 2. From the New-Testament, where this Text is directly expounded of Christ, as Rom. 9. 32, 33. 1 Pet. 2. 4. 3. From the last Clause, wherein He requires Faith in this Stone, which is not to be given to any meer Man, Ier. 17. 5. and wherein He implies, That this Stone was not yet come, nor to come speedily into the World; whereas Hezekiah was King at the time of this Prophecy. 4. From the usual practice of the Prophets, and especially of this Prophet, which is, to comfort and fortify God's People, against the dread of approaching Calamities, by that great and fundamental Promise of the Messiah, in whom alone all other Promises are, Yea, and Amen; whereof we have seen some Instances already, and shall see more hereafter.

Which I have tried, and approved as every way sufficient to be a Corner-Stone, and a Foundation-Stone. Such Stones in Buildings use to be chosen with care, and to be thoroughly examined by the Builder.

Giving not only strength, but beauty, and glory to the Building, as Corner-Stones frequently do, Psal 144. 12.

Uniting the several parts of the Building together, making Ephraim and Iudah, now sadly divided, one stick, Ezek. 37. 19, 24. and Iews and Gentiles, now implacable Enemies, one Church and People, Eph. 2. 14. &c.

Upon whom you may securely Rest; One who will not fail, nor deceive you, as your lying Refuges will.

To wit, this Promise; or in this Stone, as it is explained, 1 Pet. 2. 6.

Shall not make more hast than he ought, or, as we say, more hast than good speed; shall not hastily and greedily catch at any way of escaping his danger, whether it be right or wrong, but shall patiently wait upon God in His way, till He deliver him. Withal, here is a plain intimation, that the Mercy here promised was not to be given presently, but after some considerable time; and therefore, that they should quietly, and patiently submit to God's Will, under their present difficulties, and expect the accomplishment of it in God's due time; compare Hag. 2. 3. The Word here rendred, make hast, is by the Seventy Interpreters rendred, be confounded, whom the Apostles follow, Rom. 9. 33. and 1 Pet. 2. 6. either because they thought it most convenient, in a matter where the difference was not considerable, to follow that Translation which was most used, and best understood by the generality of Iewish and Gentile Christians; or because the same Word hath both these significations in the Eastern Languages, as the most Learned, and Worthy Dr. Pocock hath proved; or because the one follows upon the other; and precipitation or hast, commonly exposeth Men to shame and confusion; which also is implied in the following Verses, wherein the dreadful Judgments of God are denounced against those, who should not believe, and would make hast to prevent or remove their Dangers by any means whatsoever.

Marginal references: Psal. 118. 22. Mat. 21. 42. Act. 4. 11. Rom. 9. 33. Eph. 2. 20. 1 Pet. 2. 6. 7, 8.; Heb. stone of trial.; Rom. 10. 11.