Isaiah 41:9-13

9 You whom I have ¹taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its ²remotest parts And said to you, 'You are ³My servant, I have ⁴chosen you and not rejected you.

10 'Do not ⁵fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely ⁶I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous ⁷right hand.'

11 "Behold, ⁸all those who are angered at you will be shamed and dishonored; ⁹Those who contend with you will be as nothing and will perish.

12 "¹⁰You will seek those who quarrel with you, but will not find them, Those who war with you will be as nothing and non-existent.

13 "For I am the LORD your God, ¹¹who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, '¹²Do not fear, I will help you.'

Isaiah 41:9-13 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 41

This chapter contains a summons to the enemies of Christ to come and try the cause between God and them before him; words of comfort to true believers, promising them help, protection, and provision; full conviction of idolaters, and their practices; and is closed with a promise of some great person, and what he will do unto them, and for the people of God. The summons is in Isa 41:1, expressed according to the forms used in courts of judicature. The issue of the controversy is put upon this foot, the raising up a certain person from the east, who it was that did it, which appearing to be the work of the Lord, proves the point contended about, Isa 41:2-4, the obstinate persistence of idolaters in their idolatry, notwithstanding this is observed, Isa 41:5-7, the people of God, under the names of Jacob and Israel, the objects of God's choice and affection, Isa 41:8,9 are encouraged against the fear of men, with promises of help and strength from the Lord, Isa 41:10,13,14 of confusion to their enemies, and victory over them, Isa 41:11,12,15,16, and of spiritual provisions, and great prosperity in their wilderness state, in which they should manifestly see the hand of the Lord, Isa 41:17-20 when the idolatrous nations are challenged to produce their strong reasons for their idolatry, and are put upon proving that their idols can foretell things to come, or do good or evil to men, or own they are nothing but an abomination, Isa 41:21-24,26 and then one is spoken of that should come as a mighty warrior, and tread down the Pagan princes, and a set of Gospel ministers should be sent, bringing good tidings to Zion, to the silencing of idolaters, and the cessation of idolatrous worship, Isa 41:25,27,28.

Cross References

• 1. Isaiah 11:11
• 2. Isaiah 43:5-7
• 3. Isaiah 42:1; Isaiah 44:1
• 4. Deuteronomy 7:6; Deuteronomy 14:2; Psalms 135:4
• 5. Deuteronomy 20:1; Deuteronomy 31:6; Joshua 1:9; Psalms 27:1; Isaiah 41:13, 14; Isaiah 43:2, 5; Romans 8:31
• 6. Isaiah 41:14; Isaiah 44:2; Isaiah 49:8
• 7. Psalms 89:13, 14
• 8. Isaiah 45:24
• 9. Isaiah 17:13; Isaiah 29:5, 7, 8
• 10. Job 20:7-9; Psalms 37:35, 36; Isaiah 17:14
• 11. Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 45:1
• 12. Isaiah 41:10

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "taken hold of"