Isaiah 45:9-19

Potter and clay

9 Doom to the one who argues with the potter, as if he were just another clay pot! Does the clay say to the potter, "What are you making?" or "Your work has no handles"?
10 Doom to one who says to a father, "What have you fathered?" and to a woman, "With what are you in labor?"
11 The LORD, the holy one of Israel and its maker, says: Are you questioning me about my own children? Are you telling me what to do with the work of my hands?
12 I myself made the earth, and created humans upon it. My own hands stretched out the heavens. I commanded all their forces.
13 I have a right to awaken Cyrus; I will smooth all his paths. He will build my city and set my exiles free, not for a price and not for a bribe, says the LORD of heavenly forces.
14 The LORD says: Egypt will grow weary, Cush will be sold, and the tall Sabeans will cross over to you. They will be yours, and after you they will go. In chains they will come; to you they will bow down. They will plead with you: "Truly God is with you; there's no other, no other God."
15 Surely you are a god who hides himself, Israel's God and savior.

Idols contrasted with God

16 They will all be shamed and disgraced; the makers of idols will end up disgraced together.
17 Israel has been saved by the LORD of everlasting salvation. You won't be shamed, and you won't be disgraced forever and always.
18 For this is what the LORD said, who created the heavens, who is God, who formed the earth and made it, who established it, who didn't create it a wasteland but formed it as a habitation: I, the LORD, and none other!
19 I didn't speak in secret or in some land of darkness; I didn't say to the offspring of Jacob, "Seek me in chaos." I am the LORD, the one who speaks truth, who announces what is correct.

Isaiah 45:9-19 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 45

This chapter contains prophecies concerning Cyrus, the deliverer of the Jews from captivity; and concerning the grace, righteousness, and salvation of Christ; and the conversion of the Gentiles. An account is given of Cyrus, and of the great things God would do for him, and by him, Isa 45:1-3 and the ends for which he would do these things, for the sake of his people Israel; and that he might be known to be the only true God, who is the Maker of all things, Isa 45:4-7 an intimation is given of the Messiah, as the author of righteousness and salvation; and of the contention and murmuring of the Jews about him, Isa 45:8-10, encouragement is given to pray for and expect good things by him for the children of God, in consideration of the greatness of God as the Creator, who would raise him up in righteousness, the antitype of Cyrus, Isa 45:11-13, the conversion of the Gentiles, the confusion of idolaters, and the salvation of the Israel of God, are prophesied of, Isa 45:14-17, which are confirmed by his works and his word, what he had done and said, Isa 45:18,19, the vanity of idols is exposed, and Christ the only Saviour asserted, to whom persons in all nations are directed to look for salvation, Isa 45:20-22 when it is affirmed with an oath that all shall be subject to him; that his people shall come to him for righteousness and strength; that his enemies shall be ashamed, and the spiritual Israel of God shall be justified, and glory in him, Isa 45:23-25.

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