Isaiah 45:9

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 45:9-10

Isaiah 45:9-10. Wo unto him that striveth, &c. Bishop Lowth renders this verse, “Wo unto him that contendeth with the power that formed him, the potsherd with the moulder of the clay! Shall the clay say to the potter, What makest thou? And to the workman, Thou hast no hands.” “The prophet,” he thinks, “answers or prevents the objections and cavils of the unbelieving Jews disposed to murmur against God, and to arraign the wisdom and justice of his dispensations in regard to them; in... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 45:1-19

God uses Cyrus (45:1-19)Cyrus’s many victories, and the power and wealth he gained through them, were all planned by God. God was preparing the way so that Cyrus could conquer Babylon and release the Jews. Throughout these events, Cyrus did not know God and was unaware that God was using him to carry out his purposes for Israel (45:1-4).To Cyrus, his release of the captive Jews was a relatively minor event in his long and glorious career, but in the eyes of God it was the purpose for which he... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Isaiah 45:9

earth = ground: i.e. here, clay. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Isaiah 45:9

"Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! A potsherd among the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands? Woe unto him that saith unto a father, what begettest thou? or to a woman, With what travailest thou?""That the infidel and discontented portion of the Jewish people is here intended, seems beyond dispute. No arguments could more forcibly evince the extreme arrogance and folly of creatures pretending to scan and... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Isaiah 45:9-10

Isaiah 45:9-10. Woe unto him that striveth— Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker; the potsherd with the potter: Shall the clay, &c.? The greater number of interpreters are of opinion, that this reproof refers to the impious and malevolent censurers of God among the Jewish people, who, dissatisfied with their present state of banishment, found fault with the ways of God towards their nation, and at the same time contemned the promises of deliverance given by the prophets, as not... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 45:9

9. Anticipating the objections which the Jews might raise as to why God permitted their captivity, and when He did restore them, why He did so by a foreign prince, Cyrus, not a Jew (Isaiah 40:27, c.), but mainly and ultimately, the objections about to be raised by the Jews against God's sovereign act in adopting the whole Gentile world as His spiritual Israel (Isaiah 40:27- :, referring to this catholic diffusion of the Gospel), as if it were an infringement of their nation's privileges so Paul... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 45:1-13

The instrument of redemption 45:1-13This section begins with God’s promise to Cyrus (Isaiah 45:1-8; cf. Psalms 2; Psalms 110) and concludes with a vindication of God’s right to use whom He will (Isaiah 45:9-13). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 45:9

"Woe" is a funeral cry that, in this context, indicates the extreme folly of dictating to the Creator how He may work (cf. chs. 5; 28-33). The Israelites, and we, must let God be God. People are clay vessels that God has made for His own purposes (cf. Isaiah 29:16; Jeremiah 18:6; Romans 9:20-21). We have no right to dictate to our Maker how He should behave, any more than the works of our hands have a right to question how we make them. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 45:9-13

God’s right to do as He pleases 45:9-13The Creator can do anything He wishes that is consistent with His own character and stated purposes. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 45:1-25

The Meaning of the Conquests of Cyrus1-13. The conquests of Cyrus are ordained by Jehovah for His purposes. Let not Israel Criticise the manner of its deliverance. 14-17. Great honour awaits Israel. 18-25. All the world shall recognise Jehovah’s righteousness and power.1. His anointed] as being consecrated to carry out the purposes of Jehovah, i.e. to release Israel from Babylon. This is the only place where a non-Israelite king is so entitled. Somewhat similarly Nebuchadnezzar is called... read more

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