Isaiah 45:18-23

18 For this is what the LORD says— he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited— he says: “I am the LORD, and there is no other.
19 I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob’s descendants, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I, the LORD, speak the truth; I declare what is right.
20 “Gather together and come; assemble, you fugitives from the nations. Ignorant are those who carry about idols of wood, who pray to gods that cannot save.
21 Declare what is to be, present it— let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago, who declared it from the distant past? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me.
22 “Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.
23 By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear.

Isaiah 45:18-23 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 27

  • 1. S Genesis 1:1
  • 2. S Genesis 1:2
  • 3. S Genesis 1:26; Isaiah 42:5
  • 4. ver 5; Deuteronomy 4:35
  • 5. Isaiah 48:16; Isaiah 65:4
  • 6. Jeremiah 2:31
  • 7. ver 25; Isaiah 41:8; Isaiah 65:9; Jeremiah 31:36
  • 8. S Deuteronomy 4:29; S 2 Chronicles 15:2
  • 9. S Deuteronomy 30:11
  • 10. S Isaiah 43:9
  • 11. S Isaiah 44:19
  • 12. Psalms 115:7; Isaiah 46:1; Jeremiah 10:5
  • 13. Deuteronomy 32:37; S Isaiah 44:17; Isaiah 46:6-7; Jeremiah 1:16; Jeremiah 2:28
  • 14. S Isaiah 41:22
  • 15. Isaiah 46:10
  • 16. ver 5; S Psalms 46:10; Isaiah 46:9; Mark 12:32
  • 17. Psalms 11:7
  • 18. S Psalms 3:8; S Isaiah 25:9
  • 19. S Isaiah 44:22; Zechariah 12:10
  • 20. Numbers 21:8-9; S 2 Chronicles 20:12
  • 21. S Genesis 49:10; S Isaiah 11:9,12; Isaiah 49:6,12
  • 22. Hosea 13:4
  • 23. S Genesis 22:16; S Isaiah 14:24
  • 24. S Deuteronomy 30:11; Hebrews 6:13
  • 25. Isaiah 55:11
  • 26. S ver 14
  • 27. S Psalms 63:11; S Isaiah 19:18; Romans 14:11*; Philippians 2:10-11
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.