Isaiah 41:5

5 The islands saw it, and feared, the ends of the earth were astonished, they drew near, and came.

Isaiah 41:5 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 41:5

The isles saw it, and feared
Not the victory which Abraham got over the kings; nor Cyrus's expedition against Babylon, and other nations, and his deliverance of the Jews; but the progress of the Gospel, through the ministry of the Apostle Paul: the idolatrous inhabitants of the Gentile nations saw great multitudes embracing and professing the Gospel; they saw their idols neglected, and their temples abandoned; they feared what would be the consequence of all this, that their old religion their fathers retained, and they were brought up in, would be abolished; and especially a panic seized the priests on this account, whose livelihood depended upon it: the ends of the earth were afraid;
for the sound of the Gospel by him, and other apostles, went into all the earth, and their words to the end of the world, ( Romans 10:18 ) meaning the inhabitants that dwelt in the furthest parts of the earth, where ignorance and idolatry wholly reigned: they drew near, and came: not to God, nor to Abraham, or Cyrus; rather to their gods, to exert themselves in the defence of their religion; or, which is best, they got together to consult what was proper to be done on such an emergency.

Isaiah 41:5 In-Context

3 He shall pursue them, he shall pass in peace, no path shall appear after his feet.

4 Who hath wrought and done these things, calling the generations from the beginning? I the Lord, I am the first and the last.

5 The islands saw it, and feared, the ends of the earth were astonished, they drew near, and came.

6 Every one shall help his neighbour, and shall say to his brother: Be of good courage.

7 The coppersmith striking with the hammer encouraged him that forged at that time, saying: It is ready for soldering: and he strengthened it with nails, that it should not be moved.