Isaiah 44:8-9

8 'Do not tremble and do not be afraid; 1Have I not long since announced it to you and declared it? And 2you are My witnesses. Is there any God 3besides * Me, Or is there any other 4Rock? I know of none.' "

The Folly of Idolatry

9 Those who fashion a graven image are all of them futile, and their precious things are of no profit; even their own witnesses fail to see or know, so that they will be 5put to shame.

Isaiah 44:8-9 Meaning and Commentary

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.

Cross References 5

  • 1. Isaiah 42:9; Isaiah 48:5
  • 2. Isaiah 43:10
  • 3. Deuteronomy 4:35, 39; 1 Samuel 2:2; Isaiah 45:5; Joel 2:27
  • 4. Isaiah 17:10; Isaiah 26:4; Isaiah 30:29
  • 5. Psalms 97:7; Isaiah 42:17; Isaiah 44:11; Isaiah 45:16

Footnotes 1

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