Isaiah 45:8-10

8 “You heavens above, rain down my righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness flourish with it; I, the LORD, have created it.
9 “Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker, those who are nothing but potsherds among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘The potter has no hands’?
10 Woe to the one who says to a father, ‘What have you begotten?’ or to a mother, ‘What have you brought to birth?’

Isaiah 45:8-10 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.

Cross References 9

  • 1. Psalms 72:6; S Psalms 133:3; Joel 3:18
  • 2. ver 24; Psalms 85:11; S Isaiah 41:2; Isaiah 46:13; Isaiah 48:18; Isaiah 60:21; Isaiah 61:10,11; Isaiah 62:1; Hosea 10:12; Joel 2:23; Amos 5:24; Malachi 4:2
  • 3. S Psalms 85:9; Isaiah 12:3
  • 4. S Job 12:13; S Job 15:25; S Job 27:2; 1 Corinthians 10:22
  • 5. S Job 33:13
  • 6. Psalms 22:15
  • 7. S Isaiah 29:16; Romans 9:20-21*
  • 8. S Job 9:12; Daniel 4:35
  • 9. S Isaiah 10:15
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