Isaiah 45:9-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 45:9-11

Murmuring against God's arrangements at once foolish and wicked Man is very apt to consider himself wiser than God, if not altogether, at any rate in this or that particular matter. There are few who do not at times imagine that, had the arrangement of the universe been committed to them, they could have improved it in many respects. Some would have had no sin; almost all would have had no suffering. Every one would have made some change or other. Bishop Butler suggests that such... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 45:9-12

The argument for acquiescence. No doubt there are circumstances in which men find— I. A TEMPTATION TO REBEL . 1 . Men are bitterly disappointed , or they are greatly distressed ; their high hopes are dashed to the ground, or their chief treasures are taken from their grasp. 2 . Then they think themselves aggrieved ; they imagine that the Almighty is dealing with them as he does not with their fellows—that he is acting ungraciously and even unjustly toward them. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 45:9-13

ISRAEL WARNED NOT TO CALL IN QUESTION GOD 'S MODES OF ACTION . Apparently, Isaiah anticipates that the Israelites will be discontented and murmur at their deliverer being a heathen king, and not one of their own body. He therefore warns them against presuming to criticize the arrangements of the All-Wise, reminding them of his unapproachable greatness (verse 12), and once more assuring them that the appointment of Cyrus is from him (verse 13). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 45:9-13

The sovereignty of God. I. THE MURMURER AGAINST PROVIDENCE . He is compared to a "potsherd among potsherds on the ground." "Woe unto him who, though made of earth, and with no intrinsic authority over others of his race, presumes to find fault with the Maker!" (cf. Isaiah 29:16 ; Isaiah 64:8 ; Jeremiah 18:1-6 ; Jeremiah 19:1 , Jeremiah 19:10 , Jeremiah 19:11 ; Romans 9:20-24 ). In the account of the Creation, the Almighty is conceived as making man out of the dust of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 45:10

Woe unto him that saith unto his father, etc.! A change is made in the metaphor, the relationship of a father and his child being substituted for that of a potter and his clay. What would a man think of a child murmuring against his parent for not having made him stronger, handsomer, cleverer? Would not such a child be regarded as most unnatural, and as deserving to have woe denounced upon him? read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 45:11

The Holy One of Israel ; i.e. he who always does right, and with whom, therefore, it is absurd to find fault. His Maker ; i.e. Israel's Maker, who has, therefore, the right to do with him as he pleases. Ask me of things to come concerning my sons . This sentence is wrongly punctuated. The last three words should be attached to what follows, thus: "Ask me of things to come: concerning my sons and concerning the work of my hands command ye me;" i.e. first learn of me what in my... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 45:12

I, even my hands ; literally, I , my hands ; i.e. "my hands, and my hands alone." All their host . The "host of heaven" is sometimes put for the stars, and may be so understood here; but "commands" are laid on intelligent rather than on unintelligent beings. (The object of the verb tsavah in Hebrew is almost always personal.) read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 45:9

Wo unto him that striveth with his Maker! - This verse commences a new subject. Its connection with the preceeding is not very obvious. It may be designed to prevent the objections and cavils of the unbelieving Jews who were disposed to complain against God, and to arraign the wisdom of his dispensations in regard to them, in permitting them to be oppressed by their enemies, and in promising them deliver ance instead of preventing their captivity. So Lowth understands it. Rosenmuller regards it... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 45:10

Wo unto him that saith unto his father ... - It is wicked and foolish for a son to complain of his father or mother in regard to his birth, or of his rank and condition of life. Probably the idea is, that if a child is by his birth placed in circumstances less advantageous than others, he would have no right to com plain of his parents, or to regard them as having acted improperly in having entered into the marriage relation. In like manner it would be not less improper, certainly, to complain... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 45:11

Thus saith the Lord - This verse is designed still further to illustrate the general subject referred to in this chapter, and especially to show them, that instead of complaining of his designs, or of finding fault with his sovereignty, it was their privilege to inquire respecting his dealings, and even to ‘command’ him. He was willing to be inquired of, and to instruct them in regard to the events which were occurring.And his Maker - (See the note at Isaiah 43:1).Ask me of things to come - I... read more

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