Isaiah 45:11

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 45:11-19

The people of God in captivity, who reconciled themselves to the will of God in their affliction and were content to wait his time for their deliverance, are here assured that they should not wait in vain. I. They are invited to enquire concerning the issue of their troubles, Isa. 45:11. The Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, though he does not allow them to strive with him, yet encourages them, 1. To consult his word: ?Ask of me things to come; have recourse to the prophets and their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 45:11

Thus saith the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker ,.... He whose name alone is Jehovah, who is glorious in holiness, the Sanctifier of his people, and the Maker of them, both as creatures, and new creatures: ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me ; these words are not spoken to idolaters, or the idolatrous Jews, or those of them that were inclined to idolatry; directing them to ask of the Lord, and not of their idols,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 45:11

Ask me of things to come "And he that formeth the things which are to come" - I read ויוצר veyotser , without the ו vau suffixed; from the Septuagint, who join it in construction with the following word, ὁ ποιησας τα επερχομενα . "Do ye question me." - תשאלוני tishaluni , Chald. recte; praecedit ת tau ; et sic forte legerunt reliqui Intt. - Secker. "The Chaldee has, more properly, תשאלוני tishaluni , with a ת tau preceding; and thus the other interpreters... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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 45:11

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

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 45:11-13

Isaiah 45:11-13. Thus saith the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker Israel’s Maker. A preface this which always ushers in some gracious promise: see Isaiah 43:1; Isaiah 43:3; Isaiah 43:14; and Isaiah 44:6; and Isaiah 48:17. Ask me of things to come, &c. The words thus rendered contain a concession, and the sense of them may be this: although the potter doth not give an account to the clay, nor parents to their children, yet I will so far condescend to you as to be at your command in... read more

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