Doubtless thou art our Father: thus they urge God with that relation he stands in unto them, Zechariah 2:10; therefore we as thy children expect the bowels and compassions of a father. Though Abraham, he who was our father after the flesh, though he be dead, and so ignorant of our condition. And Israel; or, Jacob; who was also our father; and therefore a vain thing to call upon them; or if they were not dead, they could not help us out of our straits; or if they were alive, we are so much degenerate that they would not own us. Some say Abraham and Israel are here mentioned, and not Isaac,
1. Because the covenant was made more solemnly, and the promises more frequently renewed, with them, than with Isaac.
2. Because with Abraham the covenant was first made, and the whole seed of Israel was taken into it; but not so of Isaac. Or else,
3. Abraham and Israel being named Isaac is included. Thou art our Father, our Redeemer: this is urged as another argument for pity, and the more because their Father was their Redeemer, Deuteronomy 32:6. Thy name is from everlasting; or, Redeemer is thy name from everlasting; thou hast been our Redeemer of old.