Isaiah 41:18

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 41:17-20

Isaiah 41:17-20. When the poor and needy seek water, &c. When my poor people are come to the greatest extremity of danger and misery, then will I appear for their relief. I will open rivers in high places Upon the hills and mountains, where, by the course of nature, there are no rivers; and fountains in the midst of valleys Or, in the valleys, namely, in such of them as are not well watered. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, &c. Those people who are like a dry... 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Isaiah 41:18

open rivers, &c. Note that all these physical marvels must be accomplished by the miraculous power of God, not by the spirituality of His People. See note on Isaiah 35:1 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Isaiah 41:17-20

Isaiah 41:17-20. When the poor and needy seek water— Here, according to my hypothesis, says Vitringa, is described the state of the afflicted Christian church, after its happy beginning; particularly under Nero, who was the first public persecutor of the Christians. After the Israelites had departed from Egypt, and passed the Red Sea, wandering three days in the desert, they were in great want of water, wherewith God miraculously supplied them. Such was the case of the first Christian church:... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 41:18

18. Alluding to the waters with which Israel was miraculously supplied in the desert after having come out of Egypt. high places—bare of trees, barren, and unwatered (Jeremiah 4:11; Jeremiah 14:6). "High places . . . valleys" spiritually express that in all circumstances, whether elevated or depressed, God's people will have refreshment for their souls, however little to be expected it might seem. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 41:1-20

The fearful servant, Israel 41:1-20The Lord, through His prophet, assured fearful Israel in this segment. Israel need not fear the nations (Isaiah 41:1-7) because Yahweh remained committed to His people and would use them to accomplish His purposes in the world (Isaiah 41:8-20). This expression of God’s grace would have encouraged and motivated the Israelites to serve their Lord.The courtroom setting pictured in Isaiah 41:1-7 enabled Isaiah to make God’s transcendent monotheism clear and... 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 41:18

He would provide by innovation (water where it did not usually appear, on hilltops), multiplication (more water where there was some, in valleys), and transformation (water where it never existed, in deserts; cf. Isaiah 35:6-7). 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 41:18

(18) I will open rivers.—The words have all the emphasis of varied iteration. Every shape of the physical contour of the country, bare hills, arid steppes, and the like, is to be transformed into a new beauty by water in the form adapted to each: streamlets, rivers, lakes, and springs. (Comp. Isaiah 35:7.) read more

Group of Brands