Isaiah 41

1 taceant ad me insulae et gentes mutent fortitudinem accedant et tunc loquantur simul ad iudicium propinquemus

2 quis suscitavit ab oriente iustum vocavit eum ut sequeretur se dabit in conspectu eius gentes et reges obtinebit dabit quasi pulverem gladio eius sicut stipulam vento raptam arcui eius

3 persequetur eos transibit in pace semita in pedibus eius non apparebit

4 quis haec operatus est et fecit vocans generationes ab exordio ego Dominus primus et novissimus ego sum

5 viderunt insulae et timuerunt extrema terrae obstipuerunt adpropinquaverunt et accesserunt

6 unusquisque proximo suo auxiliatur et fratri suo dicit confortare

7 confortabit faber aerarius percutiens malleo eum qui cudebat tunc temporis dicens glutino bonum est et confortavit eum in clavis ut non moveatur

8 et tu Israhel serve meus Iacob quem elegi semen Abraham amici mei

9 in quo adprehendi te ab extremis terrae et a longinquis eius vocavi te et dixi tibi servus meus es tu elegi te et non abieci te

10 ne timeas quia tecum sum ego ne declines quia ego Deus tuus confortavi te et auxiliatus sum tui et suscepi te dextera iusti mei

11 ecce confundentur et erubescent omnes qui pugnant adversum te erunt quasi non sint et peribunt viri qui contradicunt tibi

12 quaeres eos et non invenies viros rebelles tuos erunt quasi non sint et veluti consumptio homines bellantes adversum te

13 quia ego Dominus Deus tuus adprehendens manum tuam dicensque tibi ne timeas ego adiuvi te

14 noli timere vermis Iacob qui mortui estis ex Israhel ego auxiliatus sum tui dicit Dominus et redemptor tuus Sanctus Israhel

15 ego posui te quasi plaustrum triturans novum habens rostra serrantia triturabis montes et comminues et colles quasi pulverem pones

16 ventilabis eos et ventus tollet et turbo disperget eos et tu exultabis in Domino in Sancto Israhel laetaberis

17 egeni et pauperes quaerunt aquas et non sunt lingua eorum siti aruit ego Dominus exaudiam eos Deus Israhel non derelinquam eos

18 aperiam in supinis collibus flumina et in medio camporum fontes ponam desertum in stagna aquarum et terram inviam in rivos aquarum

19 dabo in solitudine cedrum et spinam et myrtum et lignum olivae ponam in deserto abietem ulmum et buxum simul

20 ut videant et sciant et recogitent et intellegant pariter quia manus Domini fecit hoc et Sanctus Israhel creavit illud

21 prope facite iudicium vestrum dicit Dominus adferte si quid forte habetis dixit Rex Iacob

22 accedant et nuntient nobis quaecumque ventura sunt priora quae fuerint nuntiate et ponemus cor nostrum et sciemus novissima eorum et quae ventura sunt indicate nobis

23 adnuntiate quae ventura sunt in futurum et sciemus quia dii estis vos bene quoque aut male si potestis facite et loquamur et videamus simul

24 ecce vos estis ex nihilo et opus vestrum ex eo quod non est abominatio est qui elegit vos

25 suscitavi ab aquilone et venit ab ortu solis vocabit nomen meum et adducet magistratus quasi lutum et velut plastes conculcans humum

26 quis adnuntiavit ab exordio ut sciamus et a principio ut dicamus iustus es non est neque adnuntians neque praedicens neque audiens sermones vestros

27 primus ad Sion dicet ecce adsunt et Hierusalem evangelistam dabo

28 et vidi et non erat neque ex istis quisquam qui iniret consilium et interrogatus responderet verbum

29 ecce omnes iniusti et vana opera eorum ventus et inane simulacra eorum

Isaiah 41 Commentary

Chapter 41

God's care of his people. (1-9) they are encouraged not to fear. (10-20) The vanity and folly of idolatry. (21-29)

Verses 1-9 Can any heathen god raise up one in righteousness, make what use of him he pleases, and make him victorious over the nations? The Lord did so with Abraham, or rather, he would do so with Cyrus. Sinners encourage one another in the ways of sin; shall not the servants of the living God stir up one another in his service? God's people are the seed of Abraham his friend. This is certainly the highest title ever given to a mortal. It means that Abraham, by Divine grace, was made like to God, and that he was admitted to communion with Him. Happy are the servants of the Lord, whom he has called to be his friends, and to walk with him in faith and holy obedience. Let not such as have thus been favoured yield to fear; for the contest may be sharp, but the victory shall be sure.

Verses 10-20 God speaks with tenderness; Fear thou not, for I am with thee: not only within call, but present with thee. Art thou weak? I will strengthen thee. Art thou in want of friends? I will help thee in the time of need. Art thou ready to fall? I will uphold thee with that right hand which is full of righteousness, dealing forth rewards and punishments. There are those that strive with God's people, that seek their ruin. Let not God's people render evil for evil, but wait God's time. It is the worm Jacob; so little, so weak, so despised and trampled on by every body. God's people are as worms, in humble thoughts of themselves, and in their enemies' haughty thoughts of them; worms, but not vipers, not of the serpent's seed. Every part of God's word is calculated to humble man's pride, and to make him appear little in his own eyes. The Lord will help them, for he is their Redeemer. The Lord will make Jacob to become a threshing instrument. God will make him fit for use, new, and having sharp spikes. This has fulfilment in the triumphs of the gospel of Christ, and of all faithful followers of Christ, over the power of darkness. God has provided comforts to supply all their wants, and to answer all their prayers. Our way to heaven lies through the wilderness of this world. The soul of man is in want, and seeks for satisfaction; but becomes weary of seeking that in the world, which is not to be had in it. Yet they shall have a constant supply, where one would least expect it. I will open rivers of grace, rivers of living water, which Christ spake of the Spirit, ( john 7:38 john 7:39 ) . When God sets up his church in the Gentile wilderness, there shall be a great change, as if thorns and briers were turned into cedars, and fir-trees, and myrtles. These blessings are kept for the poor in spirit, who long for Divine enlightening, pardon, and holiness. And God will render their barren souls fruitful in the grace of his Spirit, that all who behold may consider it.

Verses 21-29 There needs no more to show the folly of sin, than to bring to notice the reasons given in defence of it. There is nothing in idols worthy of regard. They are less than nothing, and worse than nothing. Let the advocates of other doctrines than that of salvation through Christ, bring their arguments. Can they tell of a cure for human depravity? Jehovah has power which cannot be withstood; this he will make appear. But the certain knowledge of the future must be only with Jehovah, who fulfils his own plans. All prophecies, except those of the Bible, have been uncertain. In the work of redemption the Lord showed himself much more than in the release of the Jews from Babylon. The good tidings the Lord will send in the gospel, is a mystery hid from ages and generations. A Deliverer is raised up for us, of nobler name and greater power than the deliverer of the captive Jews. May we be numbered among his obedient servants and faithful friends.

Chapter Summary

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.