16 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD , " Behold , I am laying in Zion a stone , a tested stone , A costly cornerstone for the foundation , firmly placed . He who believes in it will not be disturbed . 17 "I will make justice the measuring line And righteousness the level ; Then hail will sweep away the refuge of lies And the waters will overflow the secret place . 18 "Your covenant with death will be canceled , And your pact with Sheol will not stand ; When the overwhelming scourge passes through , Then you become its trampling place. 19 "As often as it passes through , it will seize you; For morning after morning it will pass through , anytime during the day or night , And it will be sheer terror to understand what it means ." 20 The bed is too short on which to stretch out, And the blanket is too small to wrap oneself in. 21 For the Lord will rise up as at Mount Perazim , He will be stirred up as in the valley of Gibeon , To do His task , His unusual task , And to work His work , His extraordinary work . 22 And now do not carry on as scoffers , Or your fetters will be made stronger ; For I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts Of decisive destruction on all the earth .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 28:16-22
Commentary on Isaiah 28:16-22
(Read Isaiah 28:16-22)
Here is a promise of Christ, as the only foundation of hope for escaping the wrath to come. This foundation was laid in Zion, in the eternal counsels of God. This foundation is a stone, firm and able to support his church. It is a tried stone, a chosen stone, approved of God, and never failed any who made trial of it. A corner stone, binding together the whole building, and bearing the whole weight; precious in the sight of the Lord, and of every believer; a sure foundation on which to build. And he who in any age or nation shall believe this testimony, and rest all his hopes, and his never-dying soul on this foundation, shall never be confounded. The right effect of faith in Christ is, to quiet and calm the soul, till events shall be timed by Him, who has all times in his own hand and power. Whatever men trust to for justification, except the righteousness of Christ; or for wisdom, strength, and holiness, except the influences of the Holy Ghost; or for happiness, except the favour of God; that protection in which they thought to shelter themselves, will prove not enough to answer the intention. Those who rest in a righteousness of their own, will have deceived themselves: the bed is too short, the covering too narrow. God will be glorified in the fulfilling of his counsels. If those that profess to be members of God's church, make themselves like Philistines and Canaanites, they must expect to be dealt with as such. Then dare not to ridicule the reproofs of God's word, or the approaches of judgements.