Isaiah 45:22-23

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 45:22

Look unto me ; rather, turn unto me (as in Psalms 25:16 ; Psalms 69:16 ; Psalms 86:16 ); i.e; "Be converted—turn unto the Lord your God." It is implied that all can turn, if they will. And be ye saved . On conversion, salvation will follow. It will extend even to all the ends of the earth (comp. Psalms 98:3 , "All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God"). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 45:22

The eye of the soul. Look unto me, and be ye saved." Faith can look! We have the spiritual vision and the spiritual object. "Blessed are your eyes, for they see." We look, and are saved! Yes; and we look in hours of sorrow and unrest, and our burdens are lightened. This is no dream of the quietist; no meditation of the mystic. We do not look into infinity, and feel awe. We do not merely set religious imagination to work. We have a loving Lord and Saviour, to whom we look. "Sir, we would ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 45:22

Salvation by looking. The illustration at once suggested is that of the Israelites, healed from the bite of the serpents by looking at the God-provided brazen serpent, lifted up on high in the middle of the camp. This familiar subject needs only a bare outline of points to unfold and impress. I. HIM TO WHOM WE SHOULD LOOK . "I, if I be lifted up," said Christ, "will draw all men unto me." "That whosoever believeth on him might not perish, but have everlasting life." II. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 45:23

I have sworn by myself (comp. Genesis 22:17 ; Jeremiah 22:5 ; Jeremiah 49:15 ). "God swears "by himself," because he can swear by no greater" ( Hebrews 6:13 ). He condescends, for man's sake, to confirm in this way promises that are exceedingly precious (see the Homiletics on Isaiah 14:24 ). The word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness . So Dr. Kay and Mr. Cheyne (comp. Isaiah 45:19 , "I the Lord speak righteousness"). And shall not return; i.e. shall not be withdrawn or... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 45:23

The Lord's final triumph. (Comp. Philippians 2:10 .) It should be noticed that "kneeling" and "swearing to" are acts of homage and fealty; and they are so used in this passage. Still we "swear" allegiance to a sovereign. "If the heart be brought into obedience to Christ, and made willing in the day of his power, the knee will bow to him in humble adoration and addresses, and in cheerful obedience to his commands, submission to his disposals, and compliance with his will in both; and the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 45:22

Look unto me, and be ye saved - This is said in view of the declaration made in the previous verse, that he is a just God and a Saviour. It is because he sustains this character that all are invited to look to him; and the doctrine is, that the fact that God is at the same time just and yet a Saviour, or can save consistently with his justice, is an argument why they should took to him, and confide in him. If he is at the same time just - true to his promises; righteous in his dealings;... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 45:23

I have sworn by myself - This verse contains a fuller statement of the truth intimated in the previous verse, that the benefits of salvation should yet be extended to all the world. It is the expression of God’s solemn purpose that all nations should yet be brought to acknowledge him, and partake of the benefits of the true religion. The expression, ‘I have sworn by myself,’ denotes a purpose formed in the most solemn manner, and ratified in the most sacred form. God could swear by no greater... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 45:20-22

Isaiah 45:20-22. Draw near together To attend to what I have said, and am now about to say again, concerning the vanity of your idols; ye that are escaped of the nations Ye that survive those many and great destructions which I am bringing upon heathen nations for their abominable idolatries and other wickedness. Let those dreadful judgments upon others, and God’s great mercy in sparing you, awaken you to a more impartial and serious consideration of this subject, and induce you to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 45:23

Isaiah 45:23 . I have sworn by myself Which is the highest and most solemn oath possible, Hebrews 6:13; and therefore signifies that the matter, thus confirmed, is of extraordinary importance. The word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness It is what I will faithfully perform. And shall not return Namely, unto me void, or without effect, as this phrase is more fully delivered, Isaiah 55:11. It is a metaphor taken from ambassadors, who sometimes return to their princes without any... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 45:20-25

Babylon’s helpless gods (45:20-46:13)Cyrus’s conquest of Babylon will prove to those Babylonians who survive that to trust in idols for victory is useless. Wooden gods could not foresee Cyrus’s conquest, but Yahweh, the only true God, predicted it long ago (20-21). People of surrounding nations may previously have fought against Yahweh by trusting in idols, but now they should forsake those idols and submit to the living God. Then they will find victory, righteousness and strength, and will... read more

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