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Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Isaiah 41:22-24

Isaiah 41:22-24. Let them bring them forth— God, teaching his people the right method of disputing against idolaters, draws an argument, and urges it strongly, from the certain prediction of future contingencies of great moment, in their connection and order, and in their coherence with former and latter things. He who can do this, by the judgment of the true God himself, cannot be denied the honour of divinity. He who cannot, is absurdly worshipped and esteemed as a god. Vitringa renders the... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 41:22

22. what shall happen—"Let them bring near and declare future contingencies" [HORSLEY]. former things . . . the latter end of them—show what former predictions the idols have given, that we may compare the event ("latter end") with them; or give new prophecies ("declare things to come") (Isaiah 42:9), [MAURER]. BARNES explains it more reconditely, "Let them foretell the entire series of events, showing, in their order, the things which shall first occur, as well as those which shall finally... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 41:1-22

2. The servant of the Lord 41:1-44:22There is an emphasis on the uniqueness of the Lord compared to other gods in this section, a theme that Isaiah introduced earlier (ch. 40 especially). The prophet particularly stressed Yahweh’s ability to control history in this connection. He did this to assure Israel that God loved her and had a future for her beyond the Exile, specifically to serve Him by demonstrating to the world that He is sovereign over history. These emphases become increasingly... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 41:22-23

He ordered the idolaters to bring their gods in and have them explain the flow of past history. Can they explain history? Are they able to explain how past events will unfold in the future? Can they predict the future and bring it to pass? In a word, are they transcendent? This would prove that they were really gods. Indeed, the Lord challenged: Have them do anything, good or bad, so that they might have some real effect on people. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 41:1-29

Cyrus God’s Agent1-7. Jehovah and the gods of the heathen compared as in a court of judgment. Jehovah has raised up Cyrus and given him victory, in order to carry out His good purposes, while the heathen gods are powerless to affect the course of events. 8-20. A digression: the events which bring terror to the nations bring deliverance to Israel. 21-29. Comparison of Jehovah with the gods of the heathen continued.1. The heathen nations lately conquered by Cyrus are called to plead their case as... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 41:22

(22) The former things.—Not, as the Authorised Version suggests, the things of the remote past, but those that lie at the head, or beginning of things to come—the near future. Can the false gods predict them as the pledge and earnest of predictions that go farther? Can they see a single year before them? We note that the challenge exactly corresponds to Isaiah’s own method of giving “signs” that his words are not idly spoken (Isaiah 7:10-14; Isaiah 38:7-8). The other meaning is maintained,... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Isaiah 41:1-29

The Antidote to Fear Isaiah 41:10 Fear is common to man; increased by, if it does not originate in, a consciousness of sin. The text indicates three reasons why the Christian should not be afraid. I. God's Presence. 'I am with thee.' Powerful, wise, and loving. II. God's Relationship. 'I am thy God.' These words imply on our part reverence, obedience, and submission; on His part guardianship and blessing. We naturally take special care of that which is our own. III. God's Promise. 1. 'I... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Isaiah 41:1-29

CHAPTER XIVTHE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF ISRAEL AND THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GODIsaiah 40:1-31; Isaiah 41:1-29; Isaiah 42:1-25; Isaiah 43:1-28; Isaiah 44:1-28; Isaiah 45:1-25; Isaiah 46:1-13; Isaiah 47:1-15; Isaiah 48:1-22; Isaiah 49:1-26; Isaiah 50:1-11; Isaiah 51:1-23; Isaiah 52:1-15; Isaiah 53:1-12; Isaiah 54:1-17; Isaiah 55:1-13; Isaiah 56:1-12; Isaiah 57:1-21; Isaiah 58:1-14; Isaiah 59:1-21; Isaiah 60:1-22; Isaiah 61:1-11; Isaiah 62:1-12; Isaiah 63:1-19; Isaiah 64:1-12; Isaiah 65:1-25; Isaiah 66:1-24IN... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Isaiah 41:1-29

CHAPTER 41 Jehovah’s Challenge 1. The address to the islands and the peoples (Isaiah 41:1 ) 2. Jehovah’s question, Cyrus and his ways predicted (Isaiah 41:2-4 ) 3. Nations troubled on account of Cyrus (Isaiah 41:5-7 ) 4. Israel as Jehovah’s servant (Isaiah 41:8 ) 5. The message of comfort and assurance of restoration (Isaiah 41:9-20 ) 6. Jehovah’s second challenge: He alone can declare things to come (Isaiah 41:21-24 ) 7. The future things revealed (Isaiah 41:25-29 ) Cyrus is... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Isaiah 41:1-29

ISAIAH INTRODUCTION TO PART TWO The chapters of Part 2 (chaps. 40-46) are chiefly millennial, and so different from the prevailing themes preceding, as to raise a query whether they were not written by some other author a second, or deutero-Isaiah, as some call him. We do not hold that opinion, the reasons for which are briefly stated in the author’s Primers of the Faith. In Synthetic Bible Studies, it was found convenient to treat this part as a single discourse though doubtless, such is not... read more

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