Isaiah 46

7. cry . . . can . . . not . . . save--( Isaiah 45:20 , with which contrast Isaiah 45:19 ).

8. show yourselves men--Renounce the childishness of idolatry as shown in what precedes ( 1 Corinthians 14:20 , 16:13 , Ephesians 4:14 ). In order to be manly we must be godly; for man was made "in the image of God," and only rises to his true dignity when joined to God; virtue is derived from the Latin vir, "a man."
bring . . . to mind--rather, "lay it to heart."
transgressors--addressed to the idolaters among the Jews.

9. former--namely, proofs of the sole Godship of Jehovah, from predictions fulfilled, and interpositions of God in behalf of Israel ( Isaiah 45:5 ).

10. ( Isaiah 45:21 , Isaiah 41:22 Isaiah 41:23 , 44:26 ).
yet--not in the Hebrew. Translate, "What had not been done" [HORSLEY].
do all my pleasure--( Isaiah 53:10 , Romans 9:19 ).

11. ravenous bird--Cyrus so called on account of the rapidity of his marches from the distant regions of Persia to pounce on his prey eagle on a spear (see the heathen historian, XENOPHON, 7, where almost the same word is used, aetos, as here, ayit).
executeth my counsel--( Isaiah 44:28 , 45:13 ). Babylon represents, mystically, the apostate faction: the destruction of its idols symbolizes the future general extirpation of all idolatry and unbelief.
purposed . . . also do it--( Isaiah 43:13 ).

12. stout-hearted--stubborn in resisting God ( Psalms 76:5 , Acts 7:51 ).
far from righteousness--( Isaiah 59:9 , Habakkuk 2:4 ).

13. near--antithetical to "far" ( Isaiah 46:12 , Isaiah 51:5 , 56:1 , Isaiah 61:10 Isaiah 61:11 , Romans 10:6-8 ).
righteousness--answering to "salvation" in the parallel clause; therefore it means here, "my righteous deliverance"; righteous, because proving the truth of God's promises, and so contrived as to not compromise, but vindicate, His righteousness ( Isaiah 42:21 , Romans 3:26 ).
Zion . . . my glory--rather, "I will give salvation in Zion; to Israel (I will give) my glory" [HORSLEY]. ( Isaiah 63:11 , Psalms 14:7 , Luke 2:32 ).