Isaiah 41:1-3

Israel Encouraged

1 "1Coastlands, listen to Me 2in silence, And let the peoples 3gain new strength; 4Let them come forward, then let them speak; 5Let us come together for judgment.
2 "6Who has aroused one from the east Whom He 7calls in righteousness to His feet? He 8delivers up nations before him And subdues kings. He makes them like 9dust with his sword, As the wind-driven 10chaff with his bow.
3 "He pursues them, passing on in safety, By a way he had not been traversing with his feet.

Isaiah 41:1-3 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 10

  • 1. Isaiah 11:11
  • 2. Habakkuk 2:20; Zechariah 2:13
  • 3. Isaiah 40:31
  • 4. Isaiah 34:1; Isaiah 48:16
  • 5. Isaiah 1:18; Isaiah 43:26; Isaiah 50:8
  • 6. Isaiah 41:25; Isaiah 45:1-3; Isaiah 46:11
  • 7. Isaiah 42:6
  • 8. 2 Chronicles 36:23; Ezra 1:2
  • 9. 2 Samuel 22:43
  • 10. Isaiah 40:24

Footnotes 2

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