Isaiah 29:17 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Is it not yet a very little while, &c.— The prophet here proceeds to set forth this spiritual judgment upon the greater part of the Jewish nation obliquely, by foretelling the call of the Gentiles, who should be substituted in their place; an event, which he first proposes in general in this verse, and then he more particularly relates three consequences or effects of it; First, the spiritual blessings of light and understanding in divine things, and of joy and consolation to be diffused among the Gentiles, formerly deaf and blind: Isaiah 29:18-19. Secondly, the subdual or destruction of the enemies who had opposed the truth of the Gospel, and its preachers: Isaiah 29:20-21. Thirdly, a wonderful increase of the true seed of Abraham and Jacob, disseminated through the whole world, in whom those patriarchs, according to the promises given to them by God, might be able to recognize their true image, Isaiah 29:22-24. The proposition is metaphorically expressed; wherein the sudden and remarkable conversion of the Gentile world is spoken of as a thing no less extraordinary, than if Lebanon, a high and unfruitful hill, should be turned into a fruitful field; while the rejection of the Jews, on the other hand, should be as remarkable as the fruitful field becoming desolate, and being turned into a forest. This is a common image in our prophet; chap. Isaiah 32:15 Isaiah 35:1-6 Isaiah 43:19-20. See Romans 11:15. We have no need to speak of the completion of this prophesy, which we see daily fulfilled before our eyes.