Vers. 13. Yea, before the day was, I am; and there is none that can deliuer out of mine hand: and I will doe it, and who shall let?
HE speakes now of Gods eternitie; but we must still keepe in minde the Prophets drift. For he which had a beginning,* 1.1 is not of himselfe, neither can hee hold vnder his do∣minion, nor gouerne the things which hee created not. When the Lord therefore calles himselfe the eternall, it is to shew that the world was made by his hand, and that this goodly order of nature fell not out by chāce, but tooke the originall from his admirable wisdome and power: Gen. 1.1.
And therefore he addes in the next place, that none can deliuer out of his hand:* 1.2 which yet shewes vs more plainly, that by his eternitie wee may proue his soueraigne and infinite power. For were he not eternall, hee could neither retaine all things in his hands, nei∣ther [ 1] could hee desend his people, nor serue [ 2] his turne of the creatures according to his [ 3] owne will. But because he is vvithout begin∣ning, it necessarilie followes, that all things be subiect to his disposition. Heereunto apper∣taines that which is added, that nothing can let him from doing that which hee hath once determined. All which, serued to teach the Iewes, that they should not stand amazed nor be discouraged, in regard of the force, furie, and multitude of their enemies.