Isaiah 45:8-18

8 Distil, you heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the eretz open, that it may bring forth yeshu`ah, and let it cause righteousness to spring up together; I, the LORD, have created it.

9 Woe to him who strives with his Maker -- a potsherd among the potsherds of the eretz! Shall the clay ask him who fashions it, "What are you making?" or your work, "He has no hands?"

10 Woe to him who says to a father, "What have you become the father of?" or to a woman, "With what do you travail?"

11 Thus says the LORD, the Holy One of Yisra'el, and his Maker: Ask me of the things that are to come; concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands, command you me.

12 I have made the eretz, and created man on it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens; and all their host have I commanded.

13 I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will make straight all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let my exiles go free, not for price nor reward, says the LORD of Hosts.

14 Thus says the LORD: "The labor of Mitzrayim, and the merchandise of Kush, and the Seva'im, men of stature, shall come over to you, and they shall be yours. They shall go after you. In chains they shall come over; and they shall fall down to you. They shall make supplication to you: 'Surely God is in you; and there is none else, there is no other god.

15 Most assuredly you are a God who hid yourself, God of Yisra'el, the Savior.'

16 They shall be put to shame, yes, confounded, all of them; they shall go into confusion together who are makers of idols.

17 [But] Yisra'el shall be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation: you shall not be put to shame nor confounded world without end.

18 For thus says the LORD who created the heavens, the God who formed the eretz and made it, who established it and didn't create it a waste, who formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is no one else.

Isaiah 45:8-18 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.