Isaiah 41:13-16

13 "For I am the LORD your God, ¹who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, '²Do not fear, I will help you.'

14 "Do not fear, you ³worm Jacob, you men of Israel; I will help you," declares the LORD, "and ⁴your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.

15 "Behold, I have made you a new, sharp threshing sledge with double edges; ⁵You will thresh the ⁶mountains and pulverize them, And will make the hills like chaff.

16 "You will ⁷winnow them, and the wind will carry them away, And the storm will scatter them; But you will ⁸rejoice in the LORD, You will glory in the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 41:13-16 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.

Isaiah 41:13-16 In-Context

11 "Behold, all those who are angered at you will be shamed and dishonored; Those who contend with you will be as nothing and will perish.

12 "You will seek those who quarrel with you, but will not find them, Those who war with you will be as nothing and non-existent.

13 "For I am the LORD your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, 'Do not fear, I will help you.'

14 "Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel; I will help you," declares the LORD , "and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.

15 "Behold, I have made you a new, sharp threshing sledge with double edges; You will thresh the mountains and pulverize them, And will make the hills like chaff.

16 "You will winnow them, and the wind will carry them away, And the storm will scatter them; But you will rejoice in the LORD , You will glory in the Holy One of Israel.

17 "The afflicted and needy are seeking water, but there is none, And their tongue is parched with thirst; I, the LORD , will answer them Myself, As the God of Israel I will not forsake them.

18 "I will open rivers on the bare heights And springs in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water And the dry land fountains of water.

Cross References

• 1. Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 45:1
• 2. Isaiah 41:10
• 3. Job 25:6; Psalms 22:6
• 4. Isaiah 35:10; Isaiah 43:14; Isaiah 44:6, 22-24
• 5. Micah 4:13; Habakkuk 3:12
• 6. Isaiah 42:15; Isaiah 64:1; Jeremiah 9:10; Ezekiel 33:28
• 7. Jeremiah 51:2
• 8. Isaiah 25:9; Isaiah 35:10; Isaiah 51:3; Isaiah 61:10

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "even your Redeemer, the Holy One"