Isaiah 45:9

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 45:9

(9) Woe unto him that striveth . . .—The sequence of thought is not at first apparent. Were those who strove, the heathen nations who resisted Cyrus, or Israelites who desired some other deliverer, say a prince of the house of David? The latter seems more probable. In either case men were guilty of the folly of criticising the Almighty.Let the potsherd strive . . .—The sentence, as the italics show, is abrupt, but is better taken without inserting the verbs, and in apposition with the... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Isaiah 45:1-25

The Treasures of Darkness Isaiah 45:3 I. There are Treasures of Darkness. Darkness is approached from two standpoints in God's Book. From one viewpoint it is something to be feared, dreaded, loathed. But darkness is shown to us from another angle of vision, and then it is desirable, inestimable in worth. He who knows what is in darkness assures us that He will give us the treasures of darkness. But what is the literal meaning of these words? In the East of old, instead of depositing their... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Isaiah 45:1-25

; Isaiah 44:1-28; Isaiah 45:1-25; Isaiah 46:1-13; Isaiah 47:1-15; Isaiah 48:1-22CHAPTER IXFOUR POINTS OF A TRUE RELIGIONIsaiah 43:1-28 - Isaiah 48:1-22WE have now surveyed the governing truths of Isaiah 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: the One God, omnipotent and righteous; the One People, His servants and witnesses to the world; the nothingness of all other gods and idols before Him; the... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Isaiah 45:1-25

CHAPTER 45 The Word of Jehovah to Cyrus, to Israel and to the Ends of the Earth 1. Thus saith Jehovah to Cyrus (Isaiah 45:1-13 ) 2. Thus saith Jehovah: Israel shall be saved (Isaiah 45:14-17 ) 3. Thus saith Jehovah to the ends of the earth: Every knee to bow (Isaiah 45:18-25 ) Cyrus is called in this chapter God’s anointed (Messiah). Jehovah called him by name, but it was for the sake of Israel. But it is well to bear in mind that Cyrus, God’s instrument, called and prepared to make the... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Isaiah 45:9

45:9 {l} Woe to him that contendeth with his Maker! [Let] the potsherd [contend] with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, {m} He hath no hands?(l) By this he bridles their impatience, who in adversity and trouble murmur against God, and will not tarry his pleasure: willing that man would match with his like, and not contend against God.(m) That is, it is not perfectly made. read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Isaiah 45:1-25

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

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Isaiah 45:1-25

Precious Promises Isaiah 45-47 In the fifty-fifth chapter we come upon the beginning of many exceeding great and precious promises. However long we may be detained by imagery that is hardly explicable, or by prophecies that appear too remote to be of use to ourselves, we are ever and anon refreshed with doctrines and promises which have a direct reference to our deepest necessities and purest desires. We need more than a grand Bible, as we need more than a high heaven to gaze upon. The heaven... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Isaiah 45:9-10

How beautiful and striking is this figure of the potsherd, to shed the folly and danger of finding fault with God. Earthen vessels, struck one against another, will break; contentions among men are foolish; but contention against God, in any of his dispensations, of nature, providence, or grace, is madness itself. Equally senseless would be the expostulating of a child to its parent, concerning its being. What can a sinful father beget, but a sinful child; or a polluted mother bring forth, but... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Isaiah 45:9

Earthen. Literally, "Samian." (Haydock) --- Samos was famous for its pottery. (Pliny, [Natural History?] xxxv. 12.) Hebrew, "Clay, disputest thou against the potters of the earth?" He shews the folly of idols, after having proved his own divinity. (Calmet) --- Protestants, "Let the potsherds strive with the potsherds of the earth." (Haydock) read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 45:5-10

5-10 There is no God beside Jehovah. There is nothing done without him. He makes peace, put here for all good; and creates evil, not the evil of sin, but the evil of punishment. He is the Author of all that is true, holy, good, or happy; and evil, error, and misery, came into the world by his permission, through the wilful apostacy of his creatures, but are restrained and overruled to his righteous purpose. This doctrine is applied, for the comfort of those that earnestly longed, yet quietly... read more

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