이사야 41:22-23 KRV

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

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 41:21-24

Isaiah 41:21-24. Produce your cause He renews his challenge to the idolaters to plead the cause of their idols, and give convincing proof of their divinity: see on Isaiah 41:1. Bring forth your strong reasons Hebrew, הגישׁו עצמותיכם , which Bishop Lowth renders, “Produce these your mighty powers;” and Jerome, “Accedant idola vestra, quæ putatis esse fortissima,” let those of your idols, whom you think most powerful, approach. “I prefer this,” says the bishop, “to all other... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 41:1-29

The living God and idols (41:1-29)At that time Cyrus of Persia had been expanding his empire. He had conquered all the countries to the north and east, and was now threatening Babylon. The prophet imagines God calling the nations to assemble before him and asking them a question: who is it that has stirred up Cyrus to carry out this conquest? The answer: Yahweh (41:1-4).As the armies of Cyrus approach these nations the people panic, and in their distress call upon their gods for protection.... read more

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

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 41:23

23. do good . . . evil—give any proof at all of your power, either to reward your friends or punish your enemies ( :-). that we may be dismayed, and behold it together—MAURER translates, "That we (Jehovah and the idols) may look one another in the face (that is, encounter one another, 2 Kings 14:8; 2 Kings 14:11), and see" our respective powers by a trial. HORSLEY translates, "Then the moment we behold, we shall be dismayed." "We" thus, and in English Version, refers to Jehovah and His... 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