Matthew Poole and continuators on Romans 11:33

33. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God ! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out !

In this, and the following Verses, is the Conclusion of all that he had delivered; especially in this, and the Two preceding Chapters. He had spoken of many profound Mysteries; and Answered many critical Questions: And here he makes a Pause, and falls into an Admiration of God, his abundant Wisdom and Knowledge. He seems here to be like a Man that wades into the Waters, till he begins to feel no Bottom, and then he cryes out, O the depth! and goes no farther.

i. e. The unmeasurable, unconceivable Abundance of his Wisdom and Knowledge. Some distinguish these, Two; Others take them for the same, vid. Col. 2.3.

Some distinguish betwixt the Iudgments and wayes of God; By the Former, Understanding his Decrees and Purposes concerning Nations or Persons: By the Latter, The Methods of his Providence in his Dealings with them: Others think the same thing is meant by an Ingemination, which is Familiar amongst the Hebrews. He sayes, of God's Iudgments, That they are unsearchable; therefore, not to be Complained of, Censured, or to be narrowly Pryed into; and of his wayes, that they are past finding out; the same in Sence with unsearchable: 'Tis a Metaphor from Hounds, who have no Footstep or Scent of the Game which they pursue: Nor can Men trace the Lord, or find out the Reason of his Doings; as none can Line out the Way of a Ship in the Sea, or an Eagle in the Air, &c. Some restrain the Sence, to the wayes of God in disposing and ordering the Election and Rejection of Men.

Marginal references: Psal. 36.6.; Job 11.7.; Or, not to be traced.