イザヤ書 41:21-24 JCB

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 41:21-29

JEHOVAH 'S CONTROVERSY WITH THE NATIONS AND THEIR IDOL - GODS . The argument is now taken up from Isaiah 41:1-4 . Jehovah and his worshippers are on the one side; the idol-gods and their votaries on the other. The direct challenge, however, is given by Jehovah himself to the idols: 1 . What predictions of their own can they bring forward as proofs of supernatural knowledge? 2 . What indications can they give of power either to do good or to do evil ( Isaiah 41:22 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 41:21-29

The futility and absurdity of false systems do not prevent them from keeping their hold on men. At the present day, men are apt to find it strange that the prophets should spend so much time, employ so many words, in confuting idolatry and showing it to be utter and absolute folly. To us of the present age the absurdity seems palpable and gross—therefore not worth arguing against. But systems of religion or of irreligion, whenever they have become established and have got possession of men's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 41:21-29

A true test of Divinity. When these words were written the question to be solved was—Which god, of all the rival deities, is worthy of human trust and worship? The question now is—What is the authority to which we shall submit our judgment and in which we shall rest?—is it human nature, or is it the forces of the material world, or is it the Lord God? The verses before us suggest to us that one criterion in this state of inquiry is to be found in the consideration that we cannot find rest in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 41:22

Let them … show us what will happen . God claims that the power of predicting the future is his own inalienable prerogative. He defies the idol-gods and their votaries to give any clear prediction of future events. No doubt the claim to possess the power was made very generally among the idolatrous nations, who almost universally practised divination, and in many case s possessed oracles. But it was a false claim, based upon fraud and cunning, which deceived men as often as dependence was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 41:23

Yea, do good, or do evil . Here the proof required of the idol-gods is changed. If they cannot prophesy, can they effect anything? Can they do either good or harm? Let them show this. It is a plain "abatement" from the first demand, and therefore properly introduced by "yea" ( aph ); comp. 1 Kings 8:27 . That we may be dismayed ; i.e. rather, perhaps, that we may look to it , or examine it; i.e. see if yon have really shown a power of doing anything. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 41:23

The helplessness of idols. Before God can hopefully intervene on behalf of man, man must have become thoroughly convinced of his own helplessness, and of the insufficiency of all on whom he is disposed to rely. In the time of the Babylonish captivity, many, surrounded day by day with idolatrous sentiments and associations, would incline to reliance on these idols, and to seeking help and deliverance from them. Therefore the prophet, by solemn warnings, by satire and taunt, strives to break... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 41:24

A pause may be supposed between Isaiah 41:23 and Isaiah 41:24 , during which the idol-gods are given the opportunity of "bringing, forth their strong reasons," and, in one way or other, proving their Divinity. But they are stricken dumb; they say nothing. Accordingly, "judgment goes against them by default" (Cheyne), and Jehovah breaks out upon them with words of contempt and contumely, Behold, ye are of nothing , etc. "Ye are utterly vain and futile." read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 41:21

Produce your cause - This address is made to the same persons who are referred to in Isaiah 41:1 - the worshippers of idols; and the prophet here returns to the subject with reference to a further argument on the comparative power of Yahweh and idols. In the former part of the chapter, God had urged his claims to confidence from the fact that he had raised up Cyrus; that the idols were weak and feeble compared with him; and from the fact that it was his fixed purpose to defend his people, and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 41:22

Let them bring them forth - Let the idols, or the worshippers of idols, bring forth the evidences of their divine nature and power. Or more probably it means, ‘let them draw near or approach.’And show us what shall happen - None but the true God can discern the future, and predict what is to occur. To be able to do this, is therefore a proof of divinity to which God often appeals as a demonstration of his own divine character (see Isaiah 44:7-8; Isaiah 45:3-7; Isaiah 46:9-10). This idea, that... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 41:23

That we may know that ye are gods - The prediction of future events is the highest evidence of omniscience, and of course of divinity. In this passage it is admitted that if they could do it, it would prove that they were worthy of adoration; and it is demanded, that if they were gods they should be able to make such a prediction as would demonstrate that they were invested with a divine nature.Yea, do good, or do evil - Do something; show that you have some power; either defend your friends,... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 41:21-29

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 41:21-29

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 41:21-29

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 41:22

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 41:23

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 41:23

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 41:24

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 41:21

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 41:22

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 41:23

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