Isaías 44

Israel, el escogido

1 »Pero ahora, Jacob, mi siervo,Israel, a quien he escogido, ¡escucha!

2 Así dice el SEÑOR, el que te hizo,el que te formó en el seno maternoy te brinda su ayuda:“No temas, Jacob, mi siervo,Jesurún, a quien he escogido,

3 que regaré con agua la tierra sedienta,y con arroyos el suelo seco;derramaré mi Espíritu sobre tu descendencia,y mi bendición sobre tus vástagos,

4 y brotarán como hierba en un prado,como sauces junto a arroyos.

5 Uno dirá: ‘Pertenezco al SEÑOR’;otro llevará el nombre de Jacob,y otro escribirá en su mano: ‘Yo soy del SEÑOR’,y tomará para sí el nombre de Israel”.

El SEÑOR y los ídolos

6 »Así dice el SEÑOR, el SEÑORTodopoderoso,rey y redentor de Israel:“Yo soy el primero y el último;fuera de mí no hay otro dios.

7 ¿Quién es como yo? Que lo diga.Que declare lo que ha ocurridodesde que establecí a mi antiguo pueblo;que exponga ante mí lo que está por venir,¡que anuncie lo que va a suceder!

8 No tiemblen ni se asusten.¿Acaso no lo anuncié y profeticé hace tiempo?Ustedes son mis testigos.¿Hay algún Dios fuera de mí?No, no hay otra Roca;no conozco ninguna”».

9 Los que fabrican ídolos no valen nada;inútiles son sus obras más preciadas.Para su propia vergüenza,sus propios testigos no ven ni conocen.

10 ¿Quién modela un dios o funde un ídolo,que no le sirve para nada?

11 Todos sus devotos quedarán avergonzados;¡simples mortales son los artesanos!Que todos se reúnan y comparezcan;¡aterrados y avergonzados quedarán todos ellos!

12 El herrero toma una herramienta,y con ella trabaja sobre las brasas;con martillo modela un ídolo,con la fuerza de su brazo lo forja.Siente hambre, y pierde las fuerzas;no bebe agua, y desfallece.

13 El carpintero mide con un cordel,hace un boceto con un estilete,lo trabaja con el escoploy lo traza con el compás.Le da forma humana;le imprime la belleza de un ser humano,para que habite en un santuario.

14 Derriba los cedros,y escoge un ciprés o un roble,y lo deja crecer entre los árboles del bosque;o planta un pino, que la lluvia hace crecer.

15 Al hombre le sirve de combustible,y toma una parte para calentarse;enciende un fuego y hornea pan.Pero también labra un dios y lo adora;hace un ídolo y se postra ante él.

16 La mitad de la madera la quema en el fuego,sobre esa mitad prepara su comida;asa la carne y se sacia.También se calienta y dice:«¡Ah! Ya voy entrando en calor,mientras contemplo las llamas».

17 Con el resto hace un dios, su ídolo;se postra ante él y lo adora.Y suplicante le dice:«Sálvame, pues tú eres mi dios».

18 No saben nada, no entienden nada;sus ojos están velados, y no ven;su mente está cerrada, y no entienden.

19 Les falta conocimiento y entendimiento;no se ponen a pensar ni a decir:«Usé la mitad para combustible;incluso horneé pan sobre las brasas,asé carne y la comí.¿Y haré algo abominable con lo que queda?¿Me postraré ante un pedazo de madera?»

20 Se alimentan de cenizas,se dejan engañar por su iluso corazón,no pueden salvarse a sí mismos, ni decir:«¡Lo que tengo en mi diestra es una mentira!»

21 «Recuerda estas cosas, Jacob,porque tú eres mi siervo, Israel.Yo te formé, tú eres mi siervo;Israel, yo no te olvidaré.

22 He disipado tus transgresiones como el rocío,y tus pecados como la bruma de la mañana.Vuelve a mí, que te he redimido».

23 ¡Canten de alegría, cielos,que esto lo ha hecho el SEÑOR!¡Griten con fuerte voz,profundidades de la tierra!¡Prorrumpan en canciones, montañas;y bosques, con todos sus árboles!Porque el SEÑOR ha redimido a Jacob,Dios ha manifestado su gloria en Israel.

Jerusalén vuelve a ser habitada

24 «Así dice el SEÑOR, tu Redentor,quien te formó en el seno materno:“Yo soy el SEÑOR,que ha hecho todas las cosas,yo solo desplegué los cielosy expandí la tierra.¿Quién estaba conmigo?

25 »”Yo frustro las señales de los falsos profetasy ridiculizo a los adivinos;yo hago retroceder a los sabiosy convierto su sabiduría en necedad.

26 Yo confirmo la palabra de mis siervosy cumplo el consejo de mis mensajeros.Yo digo que Jerusalén será habitada,que los pueblos de Judá serán reconstruidos;y sus ruinas las restauraré.

27 Yo mando que se seque lo profundo del mar,y ordeno que se sequen sus corrientes.

28 Yo afirmo que Ciro es mi pastor,y dará cumplimiento a mis deseos;dispondrá que Jerusalén sea reconstruida,y que se repongan los cimientos del templo”».

Isaías 44 Commentary

Chapter 44

Here are promises of the influences of the Holy Spirit. (1-8) An exposure of the folly of idolatry. (9-20) Also the deliverance of God's people. (21-28)

Verses 1-8 Israel is here called Jeshurun, which means "the upright one." Such only are Israelites indeed, in whom is no guile. Those that serve God he will own. He will help them over difficulties, and in their services. Water is the emblem of the Holy Spirit; as water refreshes, cleanses, and makes the earth fruitful, so do his influences the soul. This gift of the Holy Ghost is the great blessing, the plentiful pouring out of which God kept for the latter days. Where God gives his Spirit, he will give all other blessings. Hereby shall be a great increase of the church; thus it shall be spread to distant places. Was there any other Rock, or Protector, that could defend them? None besides could foretell these things to come, of which God by his prophets gave notice. All was set in order in the Divine predictions, as well as in the Divine purposes. Could any other have done so? Who can compare with Israel's Redeemer and King?

Verses 9-20 Image-making is described, to expose the folly of idolaters. Though a man had used part of a log for fuel, he fell down before an image made of the remainder, praying it to deliver him. Man greatly dishonours God, when he represents him after the image of man. Satan blinds the eyes of unbelievers, causing absurd reasonings in matters of religion. Whether men seek happiness in worldly things, or run into unbelief, superstition, or any false system, they feed on ashes. A heart deceived by pride, love of sin, and departure from God, turns men aside from his holy truth and worship. While the affections are depraved, a man holds fast the lie as his best treasure. Are our hearts set upon the wealth of the world and its pleasures? They will certainly prove a lie. If we trust to outward professions and doings, as if those would save us, we deceive ourselves. Self-suspicion is the first step towards self-deliverance. He that would deliver his soul, must question his conscience, Is there not a lie in my right hand?

Verses 21-28 Return unto me. It is the great concern of those who have backslidden from God, like the Jews of old, to hasten their return to him. The work of redemption wrought for us by Christ, encourages to hope for all blessings from him. Our transgressions and our sins are as a thick cloud between heaven and earth: sins separate between us and God; they threaten a storm of wrath. When God pardons sin, he blots out, he dispels this cloud, this thick cloud, so that the way to heaven is open again. The cloud is scattered by the Sun of righteousness; it is quite gone. The comforts that flow into the soul when sin is pardoned, are like clear shining after clouds and rain. Let not Israel be discouraged; nothing is too hard for God: having made all, he can make what use he pleases of any. Those that learn to know Christ, see all knowledge to be foolishness, in comparison with the knowledge of him. And his enemies will find their counsels turned into foolishness, and themselves taken in their craftiness. The exact fulfilling the prophecies of Scripture confirms the truth of the whole, and proves its Divine origin. The particular favours God designed for his people in captivity, were foretold here, long before they went into captivity. Very great difficulties would be in the way of their deliverance; but it is promised that by Divine power they should all be removed. God knew who should be the Deliverer of his people; and let his church know it, that when they heard such a name talked of, they might know their redemption drew nigh. It is the greatest honour of the greatest men, to be employed as instruments of the Divine favour to his people. In things wherein men serve themselves, and look no further, God makes them do all his pleasure. And a nobler Shepherd than Cyrus does his Father's will, till his work is fully completed.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 44

In this chapter the Lord comforts his people with the promise of the effusion of his Spirit, and the blessings of his grace upon them; the consequence of which would be fruitfulness in them, and the conversion of others, who should profess themselves the Lord's people, Isa 44:1-5, he proves his deity in opposition to all false gods from his eternity, omniscience, and foretelling future events, Isa 44:6-8, exposes the stupidity of idol makers and the worshippers of them, Isa 44:9-20, makes gracious promises of the remembrance of his people, the remission of their sins, and their redemption by Christ, Isa 44:21-23, of which redemption from Babylon was a type; and of that assurance is given, from the Lord's creating all things by his power; from his frustrating and infatuating diviners and wise men; from his fulfilling his predictions delivered by his prophets; and from his mentioning by name the instrument of their redemption, Cyrus, Isa 44:24-28, which makes way for a particular prophecy concerning him in the next chapter.