Book of Isaiah
Chapter 41
Chapters 40-66 form the crown to the first section of Isaiah (Chapters 1-39) by properly preparing the reader. The three subsections of chapters 40-66 are obvious. The Chapters are evenly split into three sections. These sections are outstanding because of the way they end . . . NOT the way they begin.
Ch.40-48: Isaiah 48:22 There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked. (KJV)
Ch.49-57: Isaiah 57:21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. (KJV)
Ch.58-66: Isaiah 66:24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh. (KJV)
Chapter 49-57 God’s gracious provision of redemption
This second section of Isaiah (chapters 49-57) points to the only effective cure for Israel’s real problems. Outwardly, their exile would seem to be what was ruining their lives. If from section one they can understand their judgment is because of their sin, then they will look for relief not only in a return to their homeland but in the healing of their sins. God alone provides this healing. Although they are comforted about their return to Palestine, it is but a small part of the whole worldwide plan of healing that the Almighty God will be providing through the gracious Servant, Christ Jesus.
The Servant serves as the focus of hope in these chapters. Because of this Servant, Israel can be assured God has NOT forsaken them. It will be this Servant that will lead all the nations to serve God. Slowly the Servant is introduced. His work is not easy, but He finds strength in the LORD God.
God, by the prophet Isaiah, reveals the stupidity of those that worshipped idols. The specific instance of God's care for His people Israel in raising up Cyrus to be their deliverer is a great proof both that His sovereignty is far above all idols and He has power to protect His people.
Theme: God overrules individuals; God invites Israel to trust Him; God overturns idols.
This chapter continues the thought of chapter 40 in revealing the awesome greatness of our Almighty God. The emphasis in this chapter is not upon God as Creator as much as on His just and righteous dealings with man. The awesome magnitude of God is revealed both in Creation and human history.
God, by the Prophet shows the foolishness of those that worshipped idols. The main subject here is that God loves His children and will protect and lead them through the evil world which is oppressed and troubled with pitfalls and dangers. There is abundant comfort here for the child of God.
God Overrules Individuals (41:1-6)
Isaiah 41:1 Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment. (KJV)
Keep silence before me, O islands . . .islands is often a symbol for Gentiles in the Bible. The great argument in the world after the Coming of Christ, which is clearly spoken of in the preceding chapter, was IF He were a ‘divine Person’ (the Son of God, the Messiah). This was first objected to by the Jews, and later by many who called themselves Christians.
And let the people renew their strength . . . gather up all their energy, collect their most powerful arguments and produce their strong reasons in favor of their views of idolatry.
Let them come near, then let them speak . . . let them come into open court, and plead their case, speaking out all they have to say; and let them not say that they were not permitted to speak and were condemned without a hearing.
Let us come near together in judgment . . . and fairly try the case; the issue of which is put upon this single point that follows.
*****The whole world’s population is moving toward Judgment Day. The confrontation is coming between light and darkness, between God and man, between faith and unbelief. God calls upon each person to turn to Him and accept the salvation He has to offer. God encourages you, but He does not demand anything of you. He simply asks you to accept the grace and salvation that He has to offer. Salvation is a very personal thing! It is a personal relationship with the LORD!
Isaiah 41:2 Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? he gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow. (KJV)
Who raised up the righteous man from the east . . . some interpret this of Abraham; for he was a righteous man, and believed in Christ for righteousness, had the righteousness of faith when circumcised, and required his children and servants to do the same (Gen.15:6; 17:10-14, 23-27). He was raised up out of an idolatrous family, from Ur of the Chaldees, on the other side the river Euphrates, which lay east of Judea; he was called by the LORD (Gen.12:1-3; Josh.24:3; Neh.9:7; Isa.51:2; Acts 7:2-3; Heb.11:8); and was obedient to Him (Gen.12:1-4; 21:4; 22:12; Neh.9:8; Acts 7:3-8; Heb.11:8-17; Jam.2:21); he went forth at His command, not knowing where he was going (Heb.11:8). God gave him by Promise the land of Canaan, possessed by several nations, and which his seed afterwards inherited. He made him, in a spiritual sense, the father of many nations (Gen.17:4-5; Rom.4:17-18), and actually the father of all believers (Gal.3:26-29).
Whom God called to his foot . . . called him to follow His guidance. This could refer to Abraham, Cyrus and/or Christ Jesus.
Gave the nations before him . . . this could also refer to Abraham, Cyrus and/or Christ Jesus.
And made him rule over kings? . . . this could also refer to Abraham, Cyrus and/or Christ Jesus.
He gave them as dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow . . . this could also refer to Abraham, Cyrus and/or Christ Jesus. This conqueror from the east was triumphant wherever he went. He had victory over kings and nations; his sword strikes them down as if they were dust. His bow scatter them like straw before the wind. This could also refer to Abraham, Cyrus and/or Christ Jesus.
*****Some say this king from the east was Abraham, others say it was Cyrus II of Persia, who would be king within a century and a half. He is mentioned by name (Isa.44:28; 45:1). He conquered Babylon in 539 B.C. and was responsible for the decree releasing the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem. God could even use a pagan ruler to protect and care for Israel, because God is in control of all world empires and politics.
This righteous man from the east is a strong expression that could actually refers to a quality . . . that of righteousness . . . instead of a person. It could refer to the rule of righteousness which Christ will establish at His return to earth in the latter days. I do not know the correct answer to this, but I do know that Christ shall establish a kingdom of righteousness in the latter days (Rom.14:17; Heb.1:8).
Isaiah 41:3 He pursued them, and passed safely; even by the way that he had not gone with his feet. (KJV)
He pursued them, and passed safely. . . went on in the pursuit with great ease, safety and success. In the latter days, Christ shall pursue them, and He shall indeed pass safely.
Even by the way that he had not gone with his feet . . . this is added as further evidence of God's wonderful providence, in encouraging and enabling him to march by unknown paths; which hath often proven dangerous and destructive to great armies. This also was verified both in Abraham and in Cyrus, as is well known; and shall be certain in the latter days when Christ returns to Earth.
Isaiah 41:4 Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he. (KJV)
Who hath wrought and done it . . . forced and achieved it, formed the scheme and brought it to pass; that is, raising up the righteous man from the east, and succeeding him in the manner described.
Calling the generations from the beginning? . . . this begins the answer to the above question, which may be rendered,
He that calleth the generations from the beginning . . . He (the LORD) has brought about and done this; for it is only He that knew them from all eternity, before they were (Ps.139:15-16), and all the men that would be in them, and could call them by their names; and who calls things that are not (Isa.46:10), as though they were; and who calls them into being at the exact appointed time, and continues a succession of them, one after another; who calls by His grace all that are called in successive generations, and rules over them by His power, providence, and grace. Name, God knows your name: (Ex.33:17; Ps.22:9-10; 71:5-6; 91:14; 139:15-16; Isa.43:1, 2, 7; 49:1, 5; Jer.1:5; Mal.3:16; Mat.6:4-8; Jn.10:3, 14-15; Rev.20:15).
I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he . . . the immutable Jehovah (Ex.6:3; Ps.83:18; Isa.12:2; 26:4), the everlasting I AM (Ex.3:14), the Alpha and the Omega (Rev.1:8, 11; 21:6; 22:13), the beginning and the ending the first and the last (Rev.22:13); all which is said of Christ Jesus, and is the Person here speaking (Rev.1:8), which phrases express His eternal deity. He is the first and the last in God the Father’s thoughts, purposes and decrees; in the covenant of grace; in the Creation of all things; in the salvation, justification, sanctification, adoption, and glorification of His people; and in the church, in Heaven and Earth.
See Special Comments at the end of this chapter for Names and Titles of our Awesome Triune God.
*****This to me is a difficult section. Different ideas are given for verse 2, concerning the righteous man raised up from the east; and, since I do not know which is true, I offer the following. WHAT is to be proved is:
#1. That the LORD is Almighty God, and that He is the first and with the last (vs.4), that He is infinite, eternal and unchangeable, that He has governed the world from the beginning, and will continue to rule it to the end of time. He has reigned of old and will reign forever; the counsels of His Kingdom were from eternity, and the continuance of it will be to eternity.
#2. That Israel is His servant (vs.8), whom He owns, protects and employs them, and in whom He is and shall be glorified. Just as there is a God in Heaven, so too, there is a church on Earth that is also in His specific care, the same as Israel (Gal.3:26-29). Elijah prayed (1 Ki.18:36), Let it be known that thou art God, and that I am thy servant.
#3. That it was the LORD who called Abraham, the father of this despised nation, out of an idolatrous country, and by many instances of His favor made his name great (Gen.12:2). He was certainly a righteous man whom God raised up from the east. Who was it that brought Abraham publicly from the east? It was the LORD! God calls Israel the seed of Abraham; and He calls the generations of Israel, from the beginning. Abraham was a righteous man, a man of righteousness that believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness; and so he became the father of all those who by faith in Christ are made the righteousness of God through him (Rom.4:3, 11; 2 Cor.5:21). He was a great example of righteousness in his day, and taught his household to do judgment and justice (Gen.18:19). An example for us!
#4. The LORD called him to his foot, to follow Him with implicit faith; for he went out, not knowing where he was going, but knew Whom he followed (Heb.11:8). All those whom God effectually calls, He calls to His foot, to be subject to Him, to attend Him, and to follow the Lamb of God wherever He goes. God’s TRUE children must come to His foot or be made His footstool. Lamb of God: (Jn.1:29, 36; Rev.5:6; 7:17; 14:10; 15:3; 19:9; 21:22-23; 22:1, 3).
#5. The LORD gave nations to him, the nations of Canaan, which He promised to make him master of, and thus far gave him an interest in that the Hittites acknowledged him a mighty prince among them (Gen.23:6). He made him rule over those kings whom he conquered for the rescue of his brother Lot (Gen.14). And when God gave them as dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow, he then pursued them, and passed safely, or in peace, under the LORD’S divine protection, even though it was in a way he was totally unacquainted with.
#6. That it was the LORD who would raise up Cyrus from the east. God will raise him up in righteousness, will call him to his foot, make what use of him as He pleases, and make him victorious over the nations that oppose his coming to the crown, and give him success in all his wars (Isa.41:2; 44:28; 45:1-4, 13; 46:11; 48:14-15). The LORD can and does use heathens in His work of providing for His people.
#7. The righteous man from the east, I believe can and does mean Christ Jesus, the Messiah, in the latter days. Christ, who IS righteousness itself (1 Cor.1:30), IS the Lord our righteousness (Jer.23:6; 33:16), whom God will in the fullness of time (Gal.4:4), raise up and make Him victorious over the powers of darkness (Eph.6:12); so that He shall spoil them and make a show of them openly (Rev.19:11-21; 20:10). We do have an awesome God!
Isaiah 41:5 The isles saw it, and feared; the ends of the earth were afraid, drew near, and came. (KJV)
The isles saw it, and feared . . . the isles (vs.1), saw it; discerned the mighty work of God in delivering His people, and overthrowing their enemies, in so wonderful a manner, even all the isles of the heathen. Feared, lest they would be involved in the same calamity, as being conscious that they also were enemies to God's people. They feared what would be the result of all this, that their old religion their fathers retained, and they were brought up in, would be abolished; and especially a panic seized the craftsmen and priests on this account, whose livelihood depended on the idols. Isles: (Gen.10:5; Est.10:1; Ps.72:10; 97:1; Isa.24:15; 40:15;41:5; 42:4, 10; 49:1; 51:5; 60:9; 66:19; Jer.2:10; 25:22; 31:10; Eze.26:15, 18; 27:3, 6-7, 15, 35; 39:6; Dan.11:18; Zep.2:11).
The ends of the earth were afraid . . . meaning the inhabitants that lived in the furthest parts of the Earth, where ignorance and idolatry totally reigned, for the sound of God’s Truth went into all the Earth, and their words to the end of the world (Rom.10:18).
Drew near, and came . . . they drew near, and came . . . NOT to God, nor to Abraham, nor Cyrus; but instead to their gods, to defend themselves in defense of their religion, and to consult what was should be done in such an emergency.
The Ends of the Earth
The ends of the earth is used 28 times in the KJV of the Bible (Isa. 41:5,9; 26:15; 40:28; 43:6; 45:22; 52:10; Dt. 33:17; 1Sam. 2:10; Job 28:24; 37:3; 38:13; Ps. 48:10; 59:13; 65:5; 67:7; 72:8; 98:3; 135:7; Prov. 17:24; 30:4; Jer. 10:13; 16:19; 25:31; 51:16; Mic. 5:4; Zech. 9:10; Acts 13:47).
The ends of the world is used in Ps. 22:27; Rom. 10:18; 1Cor. 10:11.
The end of the world is used 13 times, and refers to the inhabited Earth (Ps. 19:4; Isa.23:17; 62:11; Mat.13:39-40, 49; 24:3, 14; 28:20; Jn.13:1; 18:37; Heb.9:26; 2 Pet.2:20)
Isaiah 41:6 They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage. (KJV)
They helped everyone his neighbor . . . by advice and counsel, by the best arguments they could make use of, to withstand the new religion, and defend their idolatry; to prevent the embracing the one, and giving up the other.
And everyone said to his brother, be of good courage . . . they strengthened each other in their idolatrous worship, encouraging each other to oppose the prevailing doctrine; urging, that the craft of some was in danger, and the religion of them all at stake, and their gods were likely to fall into contempt. They encouraged and assisted one another in their idolatrous practices. An instance of this can be seen in Demetrius the craftsman at Ephesus, when the Gospel prevailed mightily, who stirred up the workmen of the same skill as himself, suggesting the loss of their business, and the dishonor reflected on their goddess Diana (Acts 19:20-38).
*****Since the LORD is coming to right the wrongs and relieve injustices, individuals who are right with God can be of good courage. There absolutely is hope for any person who stands firm in trusting God. He does not have to worry about the future or eternity! God is in control!
God Invites Israel to Trust Him (41:7-14)
The reference to idolatry continues.
Isaiah 41:7 So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved. (KJV)
So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith . . . the carpenter, when he had made a wooden image, cheerfully hurried to the goldsmith, to cover the idol it with plates of gold or silver.
And he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil . . . the goldsmith beat out thin plates of gold and silver with the hammer, to decorate the wooden idol (god), encouraged the smith at the forge, that smote on the anvil, and making nails for the fastening it to a pillar or wall, to hasten his work.
Saying, it is ready for the sodering . . . for the several joints had to be put together, by soldering them.
And he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved . . . the goldsmith fastened the sheets of gold or silver with nails, that they might be kept firm and close to it; and/or the smith that smote on the anvil, and made the nails, fastened the image with them at some proper place, that it might not fall, or be taken away. All which represents the hurry and concern idolaters were in to keep up their craft and religion (Jer.10:3-15).
Isaiah 41:8 But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend. (KJV)
But thou, Israel, art my servant . . . the spread and success of the Gospel drew great resentment from the Heathens who embraced and professed idolatry.
Jacob whom I have chosen . . . Jacob, an Israelite indeed, a plain hearted man, wrestling and prevailing in prayer with God, whom He chose to be His people, and peculiar treasure (Ex.19:5; Ps.135:4; Ecc.2:8), who, although disallowed indeed of men (1 Pet.2:4), were like their Saviour and Lord, chosen of God, and precious. Whom I have chosen, out of the heap of the idolatrous nations, to be His peculiar people.
The seed of Abraham my friend . . . with whom God made a Promise of perpetual friendship (Gen.12:2; 15:1, 18). The spiritual seed of Abraham, were believers in Christ, and friends of His, as Abraham was (Gal.3:26-29).
Isaiah 41:9 Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. (KJV)
Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth . . . meaning Israel, whom the LORD took to Himself, and brought forth from the loins of Abraham.
And called from the chief men thereof . . . from the midst of many great and noble persons, among whom he lived in Chaldea. This tells of God's remarkable mercy to Abraham, and therefore to the Israelites descended from him. The LORD passed by many of Abraham's betters, and called him into fellowship with Himself (1 Cor.1:26). What a privilege it is, to have fellowship with the LORD! http://www.godcannotlie.org/truth_about_salvation.htm
And said unto thee, thou art my servant . . . and not only called them by the name, but made them such in reality.
I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away . . . the LORD does not cast away any whom He has chosen and foreknown. God does not choose for just a moment, but forever, by making an everlasting covenant with Jacob (Israel) and thy seed through all generations. The LORD is saying that He chose them when He had just cause of refusing them. This goes for today’s time as well, for which I am extremely grateful.
Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. (KJV)
Fear thou not, for I am with thee . . . not merely by His Spirit or power, Who is everywhere; or by His providence of supporting, preserving, observing and overruling all things; but in a way of special grace to guard and protect His people, support and supply them, comfort and strengthen their hearts (2 Cor.12:9-10) . . . so they do not need to fear any of their enemies, nor whatsoever they may be called to suffer for His Name's sake, even though they pass through fire and water, and the valley of the shadow of death (Ps.23:4; 66:12; Isa.43:1-2).
Be not dismayed, I am thy God . . . through Christ, in a covenant way, as appeared by the actual calling of them; and therefore depends on His love and His power, expecting to receive all needed supplies, and having no fear of enemies, or to be discouraged at anything that should befall them. Dismayed means to look about, as persons in distress and dumbfounded.
I will strengthen thee . . . with strength in their souls, to perform duties, exercise grace, withstand corruptions, resist temptations, bear afflictions, suffer persecutions and do their work, according to the will of God; for IF God is the strength of His people, they need not be afraid of anyone or anything (Ps.27:1).
Yea, I will help thee . . . help them out of all their afflictions and temptations, and out of the hands of all their enemies; help them in the discharge of duty, in the exercise of grace, in bearing their cross (Lk.14:27) http://www.godcannotlie.org/luke_ch14.htm . . . in fighting the LORD'S battles, and in their journey to another world. He helps them to every mercy, temporal and spiritual, to all needed supplies of grace, and at last to glory; whose help is suitable and seasonable, and may be expected, since He is able to help, He has promised to help His people, and He is faithful that has promised (Heb.10:23; 11:11).
I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness . . . either by His almighty power, or by His Son, the Man at His right hand, and the author of eternal salvation to His people (Heb.5:9; 12:2). This expresses His support and maintenance of them, not just in a providential way, but in a way of special grace; and of His powerful protection and preservation of them, so that they shall be able to stand in the grace of God, walk in His ways and not fall, but to persevere, hang in there, endure to the end (Mat.24:13; Mk.13:13), even though their trials and temptations may be great and many. Right hand of God: (Mk.16:19; Acts 2:33; 7:56; Rom.8:34; Col.3:1; Heb.10:12; 12:2; 1 Pet.3:22).
*****This verse has been a great pillar of strength and a tremendous source of comfort to God's children of every age.
Now consider another remarkable verse:
Isaiah 41:11 Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. (KJV)
Behold, all they that were incensed against thee . . . all those who are angry with the LORD because of His outrage against the worship of their idols,
Shall be ashamed and confounded . . . will know the shame of confusion and defeat. Their idols will NEVER be able to help them, nor can they ever defend their worship of them. The same is said in regard to Christ: Isaiah 45:24 Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed. (KJV) . . . ALL those who are enraged about Christ Jesus, shall one day bow down to Him (Isa.45:23; Rom.14:11; Phil.2:10).
They shall be as nothing, and they that strive with thee shall perish . . . idolators, unbelievers and the wicked all shall come to nothing and utterly perish. All the persecutors of God's people shall regret what they have done.
Isaiah 41:12 Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. (KJV)
Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them . . . their idols shall be so totally consumed, that although they search for them, thou shalt not be able to find them anywhere.
Even them that contended with thee . . . the men who struggled with them, not by words and arguments, but by severe persecutions, striving to hinder the progress of the Gospel, and to root Christianity out of the world.
They that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought . . . the men of war that proclaimed and carried on war against the Christians, in order to utterly destroy them; yet they, and all their efforts, came to nothing, the Gospel prevailed, and Paganism was abolished; which came to pass in Constantine's time.
Shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought . . . shall be utterly brought to nothing. This is repeated twice, to show the certainty and greatness of their destruction. This also looks to the latter days, when they flee into holes and corners, to rocks and mountains, to hide themselves from the wrath of the Lamb (Rev.6:15-17).
Isaiah 41:13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. (KJV)
For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand . . . take hold of it, join in alliance with His people, go Hand in hand with them . . . and having such a One with them, and on their side, they need fear no enemy. This expresses great freedom and friendship, which assures believers of the strong affection of God towards them; that they may know they are safe, being held by Him as a child in the hand of its parents, which is then not afraid of anything. The LORD holds the right hand of His people, teaching them to walk by faith, leading them into His Presence and to close relationship with Himself, that keeps them from falling.
Saying unto thee, fear not, I will help thee . . . just as one friend takes another by the hand in times of distress, and encourages him, promising to help them (vs.10).
*****Here is God's gracious offer to trust Him. This is indeed a tremendous comfort to God’s people, then and now! God wants us to be confident in His love, grace and mercy to us. He wants us to know how He enables us to walk with Him, have fellowship with Him, and know Him. If you are not one of God’s children, you do not know the tremendous blessings that you are missing! Some people get so involved things of the world (1 Jn.2:15) that they miss out completely just how incredibly good our God really is! http://www.godcannotlie.org/truth_about_salvation.htm
Isaiah 41:14 Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. (KJV)
Fear not, thou worm Jacob . . . Jacob is Israel (Gen.32:28; 35:10). He was weak in himself, and despised and trodden under foot by his proud and potent enemies. Although the saints are poor, weak and shameful things, yet the LORD bids them not to fear any of their enemies, for He would take their part, and protect them.
And ye men of Israel . . . one version says, ye dead men of Israel, another version says ye few men of Israel . . . meaning Christ's flock is a little flock with few in it, compared to the men of the world.
I will help thee, saith, the LORD, and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel . . . this is repeated (vs.10), to confirm it, and is the more strongly guaranteed by the characters of a Redeemer of His people out of the hands of all their enemies, and the holy and just God, and Sanctifier of them, which He here takes to Himself, and makes Himself known by.
*****There are many who think that they are really something . . . but in reality, they are a worm (Job 25:6) . . . a nobody! It is only God who can make any of us important. Only God can make someone a somebody. Little man huffs and puffs like the wolf trying to blow the little pigs' houses down. Where man is going, and what it is he getting out of what he is doing, depends totally on WHERE he places his trust! Fellowship with the LORD, His salvation, His goodness, His grace . . . all of these blessings are yours when you turn to Him, and trust Him to fulfill, His Promises! He cannot lie (Tit.1:2), so you can believe Him and trust Him!
Isaiah 41:15 Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff. (KJV)
Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument, having teeth . . . one version says as a new threshing cart, having teeth like saws, for the Jews threshed out some grains by pulling a cart with wheels over it, which wheels had teeth or spikes of iron (Isa.28:27-28); or by a cart or sled filled with stones to press it down, and at the bottom with iron teeth, which being drawn back and forth by oxen over the sheaves, separated the grain from the husk.
Thou shall thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff . . . this
symbolically means kingdoms and states; the great and lofty rulers of the world, which set themselves against the LORD; such persons often expressed in Scripture under the idea of hills and mountains.
Isaiah 41:16 Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the LORD, and shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel. (KJV)
Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them . . . referring to the custom of the Jews, who had their threshing floors on the tops of hills and mountains, where they took the opportunity and advantage of the wind to carry away the chaff. This suggests that in like manner, the enemies of the church and people of God should be dealt with, which are like the chaff the wind drives away, and is found no more (Ps.1:4), and so too Pagan Rome was no more as such when subdued by Constantine, nor will the Roman Antichrist and his anti-Christian states (Dan.2:35). We can compare this with what is said of literal Babylon, which shall have its accomplishment in mystical Babylon in the latter days (Jer.51:33).
And thou shalt rejoice in the LORD . . . one version is: in the word of the LORD, and so it rephrases the preceding clause, His Word shall scatter them as the whirlwind scatters chaff. Therefore in Him the saints shall rejoice, because it is He that destroys their enemies. When Pagan Rome was abolished, and the Heathen emperors were driven out of it and destroyed, there was great joy among the people of God, saying, now is come salvation and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ (Rev.12:10) there will be great rejoicing in the Lord likewise when Babylon (Rome) falls (Rev.18:2), in the latter days, when the saints have gotten victory over the beast (Rev.15:2).
And shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel . . . whose arm alone has done the above things, and to whom the glory is to be given. It is the true character of believers to rejoice in Christ, in His Person, offices and grace, and to glory in His being made unto them wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (1 Cor.1:30; Philemon 1:3).
Isaiah 41:17 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. (KJV)
When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst . . . this is not to be understood literally, but spiritually; not of their outward circumstances. Although the people of God are for the most part the poor of the world, hungry, thirsty and naked; but of their spiritual estate . . . as being in Christ they need nothing. They discover the love of God, supplies of grace from Christ, more spiritual light, strength and comfort, pardon and righteousness, increased faith, and sufficient grace to help them in their time of need (2 Cor.12:9).
I the LORD will hear them . . . the LORD hears and answers them, and supply their needs (Phil.4:19). Only the LORD God Almighty, and can help them, for He changes not (Mal.3:6), and He cannot lie (Tit.1:2), and therefore they shall not be consumed (Gal.5:15).
I the God of Israel will not forsake them . . . neither their persons, nor His work of grace upon them, but will support them, and provide for them, and carry on His work in them; of which they may be assured, because He is the God of Israel, their covenant God and Father.
Isaiah 41:18 I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. (KJV)
I will open rivers in high places . . . upon the mountains, where by the course of God’s rule there are no rivers.
And fountains in the midst of the valleys . . . God Himself is the Eternal Fountain of Living Waters; Christ is the Fountain of Life, and in Him are wells of salvation (Isa.12:3); the grace of the Spirit is a well of Living Water (Jn.4:10-11), springing up unto eternal life.
I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water . . . with regard to the Gentile world, which was like a wilderness and dry land before the Gospel came into it.
Isaiah 41:19 I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together: (KJV)
I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree. . . where such trees were not common, but in Lebanon, and such similar places. The shittah tree is thought to be a kind of cedar; it is the same of which is the shittim wood (Ex.25:5; 26:15, 26, 37; Ex.27:1; 36:20).
And the myrtle, and the oil tree . . . about the former there is no difficulty, and one would think there should be none about this, and that the olive tree is meant; but some think that is not certain, and think that the pine tree is meant; and that the olive tree is different from this oil tree (Neh.8:15).
I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together . . . what some render the pine, another version interprets it the elm. By all these are symbolically meant converted persons in the Gentile world, in whom as great a change was brought about, as if, instead of briers and thorns, came up such trees as these; and who, by the grace of God, were made as good and beautiful as some of these trees were; and fragrant with a sweet scent in their graces and duties; and as profitable and fruitful in grace and good works like others of them; and comparable to them, as being some of them evergreen, durable, and incorruptible; because of their persistence in grace and holiness.
Isaiah 41:20 That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it. (KJV)
That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together . . . not the nations of the world, as some think; but instead, the poor and needy; who in all this, by subduing kingdoms and states, their enemies, supplying their needs when in the greatest distress, and in a marvelous manner and converting sinners.
That the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it . . . for the things before said to be done carry in them plain marks of the Hand of the LORD, and are as clear proofs of His almighty power, as what was done in the Creation of all things. He can beat down mountains and hills, kingdoms and states, and make them as chaff; rivers can be opened in high places, and all manner of excellent trees could be planted in a wilderness. Too the work of conversion is a creation work; for men are by it made new creatures (2 Cor.5:17; Gal.6:15), and are clearly the workmanship of the Hand of God.
*****Verses 10-20 give the reasons for the promises, commands and predictions:
#1. See God's eternal love for them.
#2. Know that it is God who provides, protects and supplies the riches of life here and hereafter.
#3. Consider their ways that we can be grateful for the providence of God.
#4. Know that God has planned and created all things for the highest good of all (Rev.4:11).
The range of these verses is to silence the fears and encourage the faith of the servants of God in their sufferings. Possibly it is intended, first to support Israel, who was in captivity; but also, to all that faithfully serve God through patience and comfort of this Scripture may have hope.
There is a word of caution, counsel and comfort, which is often repeated, Fear thou not (vs.10); and again (vs.13), Fear not (vs.14), Fear not, thou worm Jacob; fear not the threats of the enemy, do not doubt the Promise of your God; fear not that you shall perish in your affliction or that the Promise of your deliverance will fail. It is against the mind and heart of God that His people should be a fearful, timid people.
For the suppressing of fear He assures them that they may depend upon His Presence with them as their God, and a God all-sufficient for them in the worst of times. We see with what great tenderness God speaks, and how willing He is to let the heirs of promise, know the immutability (does not change) of His counsel (Heb.6:17; 11:9), and how He desires to put them at ease. Fear not, for I am with you, not only within calling distance, but present with you (Heb.13:5-6); be not dismayed at the power of those that are against you, for I am your God, watching and working on your behalf. If you are weak, I will strengthen you. If you have no friends, remember that I am your Friend (Jn.15:13-15), and will help you in your time of need. If you feel that you are ready to sink, ready to fall, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness (vs.10), for My Hand which is full of righteousness, dispensing rewards and punishments (Ps.48:10). And again (vs.13) it is promised.
God Overturns Idols (41:21-29)
Isaiah 41:21 Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob. (KJV)
Produce your cause, saith the LORD . . . the prophet having pleaded God's case against the idolatrous Gentiles, whom he challenged to a dispute (vs.1), he now renews the challenge, and gives them the liberty and invites them to speak whatever they can on the behalf of their idols.
Bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob . . . the King of Jacob is theKing of saints, the true Israel (Gal.3:26-29), who acknowledge the LORD as their King and their God, and whom He rules over, protects and defends; and this title is assumed for the comfort of them, that although He is King over all the nations of the world, yet this was the thing in controversy, and the case to be decided, whether He was the true God, or the gods of the Gentiles; therefore their devoted followers are challenged to bring forward the strongest reasons and arguments they could gather, in proof of the divinity of their idols. Bring forth your strong reasons . . . prove that your idols are ‘god’.
*****This is a challenge to idolatry. Have you ever considered: WHO is an idolater? Have you ever considered the possibility that maybe it is you? Anything or anyone that you put between your soul and the LORD is an idol . . . no matter what it is. It is anything to which you are spending your time and energy. Anything that you allow to take the place of a personal relationship with the LORD is your idol. Idols can tell us nothing that we did not know before, so they are stupid. They can do nothing that we cannot do ourselves, so they are useless!
This entire Passage seems to express the idea that God bases His claim to be Divine upon the fact of His power to predict, plan and bring about that plan from the beginning to the end. At this time He gave an example of His power to foretell by stating that He would raise up Cyrus, a man He named over 150 years before He fulfilled the prophecy. Israel had not even been taken to Babylon yet when God predicted Cyrus would free them from captivity and command the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple (Isa.41:25; 44:28 – 45:4; Ezra Ch.1).
Isaiah 41:22 Let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come. (KJV)
Let them bring them forth . . . not their reasons, as before, but their gods; let their ‘gods’ appear in court and speak for themselves, when their worshippers have said all they can in defense of their deity.
And show us what shall happen . . . what shall come to pass in the future; and by that prove their divinity; for NONE but God can foretell or predict things to come with certainty. Show us what shall happen inall future events.
Let them show the former things what they be. . . not things that are past, for such things are history. Let them tell us what things shall happen, and in what order, which is first and which is last.
That we may consider them, and know the latter end of them . . . that we can weigh them in our minds, and seriously consider them, how and in what manner it is foretold they shall come to pass. And know the latter end of them . . . the result of them, whether the events did answer to their predictions, or what things happened next after those former things.
Or declare us things for to come . . . or after a long time (in the future).
Isaiah 41:23 Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together. (KJV)
Show the things that are to come hereafter . . . from this day to the consummation of all things. That we may know that ye are gods . . . as ye are said to be; that we may own and acknowledge you to be such, there being this clear proof of it, if it can be proven, foretelling things to come, both near and far off.
That we may be dismayed, and behold it together . . . when we see your deity, and are convinced of it by proofs, that we may be amazed and astonished, as not expecting such proof, and be confounded, and have no more to object to it. One version says: that we may consider and reason together . . . and bring the matter in controversy to an issue, as it is in the next verse.
Isaiah 41:24 Behold, ye are of nothing, and your work of nought: an abomination is he that chooseth you. (KJV)
Behold, ye are of nothing . . . not as to the material of them, for they were made of gold, silver, brass, etc. but as to the divinity of them: there was NO holiness, NO divinity in any of them, they were of absolutely NO worth nor value physically or spiritually; they could do nothing, neither good or evil, could NOT help their friends, or hurt their enemies . . . they were less than nothing, and vanity (Isa.40:17).
And your work of nought. . . and all the work put into casting and/or carving them, was all for no purpose, for nothing . . . meaning the disastrous and wicked effects of idolatry.
An abomination is he that chooseth you . . . anyone that chooses idolatry as the object of his worship; he is not only abominable, but an abomination itself to God. One version says: an abomination is that which ye have chosen for yourselves, or in which ye delight . . . meaning their idols. This is the final issue of the controversy, and judgment is passed both on the idols and their worshippers.
***** That which is charged upon these idols, let them disprove it if they can, is that they are as nothing. Their claims have no foundation at all, nor is there any ground or reason in the least for men's paying them the respect they do. There is nothing in any idol worthy of our regard. They are less than nothing, a vanity (Isa.40:17); worse than nothing! The work they do is of nothing, and so is the commotion that is made about them. There is no pretense for it; it is all a joke; it is all a deception put upon the world. He that chooses idolatry, is an abomination in God’s eyes. A servant is at liberty to choose his master, but a man is not at liberty to choose his ‘god’. He that chooses any other than the TRUE God chooses an abomination, and his choosing it makes it so.
Challenge of God:
#1. Produce your cause . . . state your case so that men may know idols are able to help you (vs.21).
#2. Bring forth your strong reasons . . . prove that idols are holy and living, not just lifeless material.
#3. Let them bring forth their proofs . . . predict one thing that is yet to come (vs.22).
#4. Let them show former things that they have predicted which came to pass, so that men may know they are capable of predicting the future things to the end.
#5. Show the things that are yet to come, that we may know that you are gods (vs.23).
#6. Do good or evil . . . perform any kind of act that we may all be dismayed together (vs.23).
#7. If your work is nothing then you are nothing (vs.24).
Isaiah 41:25 I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come: from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name: and he shall come upon princes as upon morter, and as the potter treadeth clay. (KJV)
I have raised up one from the north . . . you can neither foreknow or predict, nor can do anything; but I do now foretell, and shall certainly bring it to pass . . . a great revolution and change in the world, which you shall not be able to hold back. One . . . needs to be understood, as often being intended in the following words by the pronoun he. He is one person, prince, or general, together with his people or forces, as appears from the latter part of the verse. Some think that the prophet in this place speaks of two different persons . . . in the first clause of Nebuchadnezzar, who in Scripture is commonly said to come from the north (Jer.1:13; 4:6); and the next clause of Cyrus, who came from the east (Isa.46:11). And then the words may be thus rendered, one from the north, and he shall come; and one from the rising of the sun, he shall call. But it seems more natural and easier to understand the whole context of one and the same person, even of Cyrus, of whom he spoke before (vs.2), who might well be said to come, both from the north and from the east: from the north rather, because he was a Mede by his mother, and a Persian by his father; or because a great part of his army was gathered out of Media, which was, and in Scripture is said to be, northward in reference to Judea (Jer.50:9; 51:48); and because Darius the Mede joined with him in this expedition: and from the east, because Persia was directly east of Judea. And just in case this work of calling upon or proclaiming God's name is here ascribed to him as he came from the east, rather than as he came from the north, because that work was not done by Darius the Mede, but by Cyrus the Persian.
And from the rising of the sun he shall call upon my name . . . who shall proclaim my name, which Cyrus did in direct and forceful terms (Ezra 1:1-2).
And he shall come upon princes as upon morter, and as the potter treadeth clay . . . he shall come upon them with his army, and conquer them, and tread them down, and trample upon them, as mire is trodden upon in the streets; or as the clay is trodden by the potter, who does with it as he pleases. He shalltread them down as easily as a man treads down mortar.
*****The LORD produces proof that He is the One and Only TRUE God, and that there is none besides Him (Deut.4:35).
He has an irresistible power. This He will shortly make appear in the raising up of Cyrus and making him a type of Christ. He will raise him up from the north and from the rising of the sun. Cyrus by his father was a Persian, by his mother a Mede; and his army consisted of Medes, whose country lay north, and Persians, whose country lay east, from Babylon. God will raise him up to great power, and he shall come against Babylon with ends of his own to serve. He shall proclaim God's Name (Ezra 1:1-2); so it may be read. He shall publish the honor of the God of Israel; so he did remarkably when, in his proclamation for the release of the Jews out of their captivity, he acknowledged that the LORD God of Israel was the LORD God of Heaven, and he might be said to call on His Name when he encouraged the building of His Temple, and very probably did himself call upon Him and pray to Him (Ezra 1:2-3).
All opposition shall fall before him: He shall come upon the princes of Babylon, and all others that stood in his way, as mortar, and trample upon them as the potter treads clay, to serve his own purposes with it. Christ Jesus, as Man, was raised up from the north, for Nazareth lay in the northern parts of Canaan; and as the Angel of the covenant, He ascends from the east. He maintained the honor of Heaven. We must pray in His Name (Jn.14:13-14). He broke the powers of Hell, came upon the prince of darkness as mortar and trod him down.
Isaiah 41:26 Who hath declared from the beginning, that we may know? and beforetime, that we may say, He is righteous? yea, there is none that sheweth, yea, there is none that declareth, yea, there is none that heareth your words. (KJV)
Who hath declared from the beginning, that we may know? . . . which of the idols, or which one of their priests, have predicted future things before they came to pass? Did even one idol ever predict any event before it happened?
And before time, that we may say, he is righteous?. . . who has declared things before they have come to pass, exactly as they have been predicted? Only by this can it be known that they are gods, or the priests of such idols, by their perfectly foreseeing future events (Jer.28:9).
Yea, there is none that showeth, yea, there is none that declareth . . . that shows and declares things to come, or such as the true God shows and declares.
Yea, there is none that heareth your words . . . none of your worshippers have ever heard you speak even one word, who, when they have prayed to you, could never have an answer; and so you have no just claim to deity; or ever heard any of your prophets say such a thing should come to pass, and it did.
Seven Reasons for Prophecy
#1. That the end might be known from the beginning (Isa.41:26; Acts 15:26; Eph. 1:10; 2;7; 3:10-11).
#2. That these things might be known beforehand (Isa.41:26; 42:8-9).
#3. That we may know God is righteous (Isa.41:26).
#4. That the LORD might be recognized as the only true and living God; and the only One capable of making the future known to us.
#5. That such prophecies might be known as coming from the LORD Himself, and not idols or their prophets (Isa.41:27).
#6. That we may see how absolutely powerless idols are to reveal the future (Isa.41:28).
#7. That idols may be proven less capable of foretelling the future than man, for they are nothing, and vanity. (Isa.41:29; 40:17).
Isaiah 41:27 The first shall say to Zion, Behold, behold them: and I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings. (KJV)
The first shall say to Zion . . . I who am the first and the last (vs.4), which some ancient Jewish writers say this the Messiah, and apply the Passage to Him.
Behold, behold them . . . I represent things future as if they were present. Behold the promised Messiah, whom I have long spoken of, behold, He is come (Isa.42:1) and behold them, His apostles and ministers, publishing the good tidings.
And I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings . . . a messenger or messengers, the singular number being here put for the plural, as it is in many other places, the prophets, who shall foretell the good news of their deliverance from captivity. I think that this refers to Cyrus and also to Christ in the latter days.
Isaiah 41:28 For I beheld, and there was no man; even among them, and there was no counsellor, that, when I asked of them, could answer a word. (KJV)
For I beheld, and there was no man . . . not one Pagan priest nor Pagan prophet, could foretell things to come; nor could prove that their idols did or could say anything in favor of them.
Even amongst them, and there was no counsellor . . . no one could be an advocate for these idols, and no one could plead their case; none of them could give any good advice and counsel to persons that needed it.
That, when I asked of them, could answer a word . . . when asked what they had to say on behalf of their gods they worshipped, they were speechless; and too, all this may be said of the idols themselves, that there was none among them that could foretell a future event, or give any wholesome counsel to their worshippers, or could say anything in their own defense; and therefore, to close the controversy, the following sentence is pronounced.
Isaiah 41:29 Behold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing: their molten images are wind and confusion. (KJV)
Behold, they are all vanity . . . both the idols and the worshippers of the idols were all vanity; in vain they claim the title of deity, to which they have no right; and in vain do men worship them, since they receive no benefit by them.
Their works are nothing . . . they can do nothing, neither good nor evil; nothing is to be hoped or feared from them, and the worship given them is of no avail; nothing is gotten or gained by the worship of the idols; it is all useless and insignificant, absolutely, malicious and harmful.
Their molten images are wind and confusion . . . although they are made of metal, yet apart from the costly material of which they are made, they are no more solid or capable than the wind; and are like the chaos before the Creation . . . without form and void (Gen.1:1).
*****Confusion is the end result of idolatry or any philosophy that is anti-God or atheistic. It does NOT, nor CANNOT have any answers to the problems of life. No man-made system can ever satisfy the human heart. The answer is found in the One and Only LORD! He alone can bring great comfort, joy and peace!
Four facts about idols:
#1. They all are vanity, useless.
#2. Their works are nothing.
#3. They are as the wind.
#4. They are confusion, misperception
Special Comments
Names, Titles and Offices of our Triune God
74 names, titles, or offices of God the Father:
1. God (Gen. 1:1)
2. LORD (Gen. 2:4-22)
3. Most High God (Gen. 14:18-22)
4. The Almighty God (Gen. 17:1; Rev. 19:15)
5. The everlasting God (Gen. 21:33)
6. The God of heaven (Gen. 24:3)
7. The God of earth (Gen. 24:3; Rev. 11:4)
8. The LORD God of heaven (Gen. 24:7)
9. God Almighty (Gen. 28:3; 43:14; 48:3)
10. The mighty God (Gen. 49:24)
11. The God of Abraham (Ex. 3:6)
12. The God of Isaac (Ex. 3:6)
13. The God of Jacob (Ex. 3:6; 2Sam. 23:1)
14. I AM (Ex. 3:14)
15. God of the Hebrews (Ex. 5:3; 7:16)
16. JEHOVAH; LORD JEHOVAH (Ex. 6:3; Ps. 83:18; Isa. 12:2; 26:4)
17. God of Israel (Ex. 24:10; 34:23)
18. Jealous (Ex. 34:14)
19. God of the spirits of all flesh (Num. 16:22; 27:16)
20. The God of gods, LORD of lords (Dt. 10:17)
21. The eternal God (Dt. 33:27)
22. The living God (Josh. 3:10)
23. LORD God of Israel (Josh. 22:16; 24:2)
24. LORD God of gods (Josh. 22:22)
25. Strength of Israel (1 Sam. 15:29)
26. God of my rock (2 Sam. 22:3)
27. The Rock (2 Sam. 22:32; Ps. 18:2, 31)
28. God of the rock of my salvation (2 Sam. 22:47)
29. The Rock of Israel (2 Sam. 23:3)
30. The God of David (2 Chr. 34:3)
31. The righteous God (Ps. 7:9)
32. Fortress (Ps. 18:2; 91:2)
33. Deliverer (Ps. 18:2; 91:3)
34. Strength (Ps. 18:2)
35. Buckler (Ps. 18:2; 91:4)
36. The horn of salvation (Ps. 18:2)
37. High tower (Ps. 18:2)
38. The God of my salvation (Ps. 18:46)
39. The God of glory (Ps. 29:3)
40. The God of truth (Ps. 31:5; Isa. 65:16)
41. JAH (Ps. 68:4)
42. The Most High (Ps. 91:1, 9)
43. The Almighty (Ps. 91:1)
44. Refuge (Ps. 91:2, 9)
45. Holy One of Israel (Isa. 30:15)
46. The glorious LORD (Isa. 33:21)
47. The Creator (Isa. 40:28)
48. LORD God of hosts (Isa. 22:5)
49. The LORD thy Savior and Redeemer (Isa. 60:16)
50. The mighty One of Jacob (Isa. 60:16)
51. The LORD of hosts (Jer. 7:3, 21)
52. The true God (Jer. 10:10; Jn. 17:3)
53. The great and mighty God (Jer. 32:18)
54. The God of all flesh (Jer. 32:27)
55. Ancient of days (Dan. 7:9, 22)
56. The God of judgment (Mal. 2:17)
57. God of the living (Mk. 12:27)
58. The uncorruptible God (Rom. 1:23)
59. God of patience and consolation (Rom. 15:5)
60. The God of hope (Rom. 15:13)
61. The God of peace (Rom. 16:20)
62. God of all comfort (2 Cor. 1:3)
63. God of love and peace (2 Cor. 13:11)
64. The living and true God (1 Th. 1:9)
65. The only wise God (1 Tim. 1:17)
66. The blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and LORD of Lords (1 Tim. 6:15-16)
67. The great God (Tit. 2:13; Rev. 19:17)
68. God the Judge of all (Heb. 12:23)
69. God the Father (1 Pet. 1:2; 2Jn. 1:3)
70. The God of all grace (1 Pet. 5:10)
71. The only Lord God (Jude 1:4)
72. Lord God Almighty (Rev. 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7; 21:22)
73. The Lord God omnipotent (Rev. 19:6)
74. The Lord God of the holy prophets (Rev. 22:6)
138 Names, titles, or offices of God the Son:
1. Seed of the woman (Gen. 3:15)
2. Jehovah (the LORD, Gen. 19:24; Ps. 110:1, 5)
3. Shiloh (Gen. 49:10)
4. The star out of Jacob (Num. 24:17)
5. Prophet (Dt. 18:15; Lk. 24:19)
6. Rock of salvation (Dt. 32:15)
7. Daysman (Job. 9:33)
8. The Anointed (Ps. 2:2)
9. The Son (Ps. 2:12; Heb. 3:6)
10. Sanctuary (Isa. 8:14)
11. Stone of stumbling (Isa. 8:14)
12. Rock of offence (Isa. 8:14)
13. Wonderful (Isa. 9:6)
14. Counsellor (Isa. 9:6)
15. The mighty God (Isa. 9:6)
16. The everlasting Father (Isa. 9:6)
17. The Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6)
18. Rod out of Jesse (Isa. 11:1)
19. The Branch (Isa. 11:1; Zech. 3:8; 6:12)
20. An ensign of the people (Isa. 11:10)
21. My Servant (Isa. 42:1; Mt. 12:18)
22. My elect (Isa. 42:1)
23. Polished shaft (Isa. 49:2)
24. The Redeemer (Isa. 59:20)
25. The angel of His presence (Isa. 63:9)
26. The LORD our righteousness (Jer. 23:6)
27. Plant of renown (Eze. 34:29)
28. Messiah (Dan. 9:25; Jn. 4:25)
29. The Judge of Israel (Mic. 5:1)
30. The desire of all nations (Hag. 2:7)
31. The man that is My fellow (Zec. 13:7)
32. Refiner and purifier (Mal. 3:3)
33. Sun of righteousness (Mal. 4:2)
34. Jesus Christ (Mt. 1:1)
35. The son of Abraham (Mt. 1:1)
36. The son of David (Mt. 1:1; 9:27)
37. Christ (Mt. 1:17; 2:4)
38. Jesus (Mt. 1:21)
39. Emmanuel (God with us, Mt. 1:23)
40. King of the Jews (Mt. 2:2; 21:5)
41. Governor (Mt. 2:6)
42. Nazarene (Mt. 2:23)
43. The Son of God (Mt. 4:3)
44. Master (Mt. 8:19)
45. The Son of man (Mt. 8:20)
46. Physician (Mt. 9:12)
47. The bridegroom (Mt. 9:15)
48. The friend of sinners (Mt. 11:19)
49. The beloved (Mt. 12:18; Eph. 1:6)
50. The sower of the seed (Mt. 13:3)
51. The Son of the Highest (Lk. 1:32)
52. The horn of salvation (Lk. 1:69)
53. The dayspring (Lk. 1:78)
54. Christ the Lord (Lk. 2:11)
55. Saviour (Lk. 2:11)
56. The consolation of Israel (Lk. 2:25)
57. Salvation (Lk. 2:30)
58. Jesus of Nazareth (Lk. 4:34)
59. Holy One of God (Lk. 4:34)
60. The Word (Jn. 1:1-2)
61. God (Jn. 1:1-3; 20:28; Heb. 1:8)
62. The true Light (Jn. 1:9)
63. Only begotten Son (Jn. 1:18; 3:16)
64. Lamb of God (Jn. 1:29; Rev. 5:6)
65. The King of Israel (Jn. 1:49)
66. Teacher (Jn. 3:2)
67. Gift of God (Jn. 4:10)
68. Saviour of the world (Jn. 4:42)
69. The bread of God (Jn. 6:33)
70. The bread of life (Jn. 6:35,48-51)
71. Light of the world (Jn. 8:12)
72. Door of the sheep (Jn. 10:7)
73. The good shepherd (Jn. 10:11)
74. The way, the truth, the life (Jn. 14:6)
75. The vine (Jn. 15:1-8)
76. Lord and God (Jn. 20:28)
77. Holy One and Just (Acts 3:14)
78. Thy holy child Jesus (Acts 4:27)
79. A Prince and a Savior (Acts 5:31)
80. Lord of all (Acts 10:36)
81. A propitiation (Rom. 3:25; 1Jn. 2:2)
82. Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom. 6:23)
83. The Deliverer (Rom. 11:26)
84. Christ Jesus (1 Cor. 1:2; 1 Tim. 2:5)
85. The power of God (1 Cor. 1:24)
86. The wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24)
87. Sanctification (1 Cor. 1:30)
88. Lord of glory (1 Cor. 2:8)
89. Our passover (1 Cor. 5:7)
90. Spiritual Rock (1 Cor. 10:4)
91. Christ the firstfruits (1 Cor. 15:23)
92. The last Adam (1 Cor. 15:45)
93. The second man (Adam, 1 Cor. 15:45-47)
94. Image of God (2 Cor. 4:4)
95. Seed of Abraham (Gal. 3:29)
96. The Beloved (Eph. 1:6)
97. Chief corner stone (Eph. 2:20)
98. Head of the church (Col. 1:18)
99. Firstborn from the dead (Col. 1:18)
100. Christ Jesus our Lord (1 Tim. 1:12)
101. Mediator (1 Tim. 2:4-5)
102. The man Christ Jesus (1 Tim. 2:5)
103. Ransom for all (1 Tim. 2:6)
104. Seed of David (2 Tim. 2:8)
105. Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour (Tit. 1:4)
106. Brightness of His glory (Heb. 1:3)
107. Express image of His person (Heb. 1:3)
108. Upholder of all things (Heb. 1:3)
109. Captain of salvation (Heb. 2:10)
110. The Apostle and High Priest of our profession (Heb. 3:1)
111. Forerunner (Heb. 6:20)
112. Minister of the sanctuary (Heb. 8:2)
113. Testator (Heb. 9:16-17)
114. Author and finisher of faith (Heb. 12:2)
115. Great shepherd of the sheep (Heb. 13:20)
116. Shepherd and Bishop of souls (1Pet. 2:25)
117. Chief Shepherd (1Pet. 5:4)
118. Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2Pet. 1:11)
119. Day star (2 Pet. 1:19)
120. Advocate (1 Jn. 2:1)
121. Jesus Christ the righteous (1 Jn. 2:1)
122. Eternal life (1 Jn. 5:20)
123. Faithful witness (Rev. 1:5)
124. First begotten of the dead (Rev. 1:5)
125. Prince of the kings of earth (Rev. 1:5)
126. Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8; 21:6; 22:13)
127. The beginning and ending (Rev. 1:8)
128. The first and the last (Rev. 2:8)
129. Morning star (Rev. 2:28)
130. The Amen (Rev. 3:14)
131. Faithful and true witness (Rev. 3:14)
132. He who created all things through the Father (Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:15-18; Rev. 3:14)
133. Lion of the tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5)
134. The Root of David (Rev. 5:5)
135. The Word of God (Rev. 19:13)
136. King of kings, LORD of lords (Rev. 19:16)
137. Root and offspring of David (Rev. 22:16)
138. Bright and morning star (Rev. 22:16)
Names, titles, or offices of God the Holy Spirit:
1. Spirit of God (30 Times in KJV)
2. Spirit of wisdom (Ex. 28:3; Dt. 34:9; Isa. 11:2; Eph. 1:17)
3. The Spirit (over 100 times, Num. 11:17, 25; Gal. 6:8; Jn.1:33; 7:39; 14:17; 15:26; 16:15)
4. His Spirit (Num. 11:29; Ps. 106:33; Isa. 48:16; Rom. 8:11; 1Cor. 2:10).
5.Thy Spirit (2 Ki. 2:9; Ps. 104:30; 139:7)
6. My Spirit (Isa. 42:1; Acts 2:17-18)
7. The Spirit of the LORD (30 times, Judg. 3:10; 6:34; 15:14; Lk. 4:18; 2 Cor. 3:17-18)
8. The Spirit of Elijah (2 Ki. 2:15; Lk. 1:17)
9. Thy good Spirit (Neh. 9:20)
10. Thy free Spirit (Ps. 51:12)
11. The Spirit of judgment (Isa. 4:4; 28:6)
12. The Spirit of burning (Isa. 4:4)
13. Spirit of wisdom and understanding (Isa. 11:2)
14. Spirit of counsel and might (Isa. 11:2)
15. Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD (Isa. 11:2; 2 Tim. 1:7)
16. Excellent Spirit (Dan. 5:12; 6:3)
17. Spirit of grace and supplications (Zech. 12:10; Heb. 10:29)
18. The Holy Ghost (over 80 times, Mt. 1:18-20; 3:11; 12:31-32; 28:19; 1 Jn. 5:7)
19. The Spirit of your Father (Mt. 10:20)
20. The power of the Highest (Lk. 1:35)
21. The Holy Spirit (only once, Lk. 11:13)
22. The Comforter (Jn. 14:16, 26; 15:26)
23. The Spirit of truth (Jn. 14:17; 15:26; 16:13; 1 Jn. 4:6; 5:6)
24. Spirit of holiness (Rom. 1:4)
25. Spirit of life (Rom. 8:2)
26. Spirit of Christ (Rom. 8:9; 1 Pet. 1:11)
27. Spirit of adoption (Rom. 8:15)
28. Spirit of the living God (2 Cor. 3:3)
29. The Spirit of His Son (Gal. 4:6)
30. Holy Spirit of promise (Eph. 1:13)
31. Spirit of wisdom and revelation (Eph. 1:17)
32. Holy Spirit of God (Eph. 4:30)
33. Spirit of Jesus Christ (Php. 1:19)
34. The eternal Spirit (Heb. 9:14)
35. The Spirit of glory (1 Pet. 4:14)
36. The Spirit of prophecy (Rev. 19:10)
The Names, titles and offices of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit reveal the character, the work and separate jobs in the eternal Plan of the Almighty and Eternal God. God the Father’s role is headship; God the Son holds that of Creation and redemption; and God the Holy Spirit is the direct power of any and all operations. All three Persons of the Awesome Triune God work in perfect harmony in ALL things: the Creation, redemption and the eternal good of all people.
http://www.hisservants.org/books_our_awesome_triune_god.html
The Ends of the Earth
The ends of the earth is used 28 times in the KJV of the Bible (Isa. 41:5,9; 26:15; 40:28; 43:6; 45:22; 52:10; Dt. 33:17; 1Sam. 2:10; Job 28:24; 37:3; 38:13; Ps. 48:10; 59:13; 65:5; 67:7; 72:8; 98:3; 135:7; Prov. 17:24; 30:4; Jer. 10:13; 16:19; 25:31; 51:16; Mic. 5:4; Zech. 9:10; Acts 13:47).
The ends of the world is used in Ps. 22:27; Rom. 10:18; 1Cor. 10:11.
The end of the world is used 13 times, " refers to mean the inhabited earth (Ps. 19:4; Isa.23:17; 62:11; Mat.13:39-40, 49; 24:3, 14; 28:20; Jn.13:1; 18:37; Heb.9:26; 2 Pet.2:20)
KING CYRUS
Cyrus . . . This king, so eminent in antiquity, is said to have been the son of Cambyses king of Persia, and Mandane, daughter of Astyages king of the Medes. He was born about 600 years before Christ Jesus.
Josephus accounts for his partiality to the Jews from this circumstance; that he was shown the places in Isaiah the prophet where he is mentioned by name, and his exploits and conquests foretold (Isa.44:28; 45:1). When he found himself so well-known by the God of the Jews, he was anxious to give Him proofs of his gratitude in return . . . and so made the decree in favor of the Jews, restored their sacred vessels, gave them liberty to return to their own land, and encouraged them to rebuild the Temple of the Lord God of heaven (Ezra 1:2). I think this is worthy of a remark: in all the books written BEFORE the captivity, JEHOVAH (Ex.6:3; Ps.83:18; Isa.12:2; 26:4) is called the Lord of Hosts (55 times in the Book of Isaiah); but in all the books written AFTER the captivity, such as 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah and Daniel; He is called the God of Heaven. Both Names have the same meaning, for His armies are in Heaven.
All the kingdoms of the Earth . . . at this time the empire of the Medo-Persians was very extensive, according to ancient writers. Cyrus, at this time, reigned over the Medes, Persians, Hyrcanians, Armenians, Syrians, Assyrians, Arabians, Cappadocians, Phrygians, Lydians Phoenicians, Babylonians, Bactrians, Indians, Saci, Cilicians, Paphlagonians, Moriandrians and many others. His empire extended on the East, to the Red Sea; on the North, to the Euxine Sea; on the West, to the island of Cyprus and Egypt; and on the South, to Ethiopia.
It is very possible that when Cyrus took Babylon, he found Daniel there, who had been long known as one of the wisest ministers of state in all the East; and it is most likely that it was Daniel who pointed out to him the prophecy of Isaiah, and gave him those farther warnings relative to the Divine will which were revealed to himself. Of his death there are conflicting accounts.
The prophet Jeremiah (Jer.25:12; 29:14), had foretold that the Babylon captivity would last only 70 years: these were now ended; Cyrus had given the Jews permission and encouragement to return to Judea, and rebuild the Temple of the Lord; and thus the prediction of Jeremiah was fulfilled.
Scriptures . . . God IS God
Job 34:21 For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings. (KJV)
Psalm 33:13-15 The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. 14 From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. 15 He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works. (KJV)
Psalm 44:21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart. (KJV)
Psalm 90:8 Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. (KJV)
Psalm 139:2-12 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. 5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. 7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. (KJV)
Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. (KJV)
Ecc. 12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. (KJV)
Isaiah 44:24-26 Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself; 25 That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish; 26 That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof: (KJV)
Isaiah 46:9-10 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: (KJV)
Isaiah 6:1-8 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. 4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. 6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: 7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. 8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. (KJV)
Jeremiah 1:4-10 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. 6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. 7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. 8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. 9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. 10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant. (KJV)
Jeremiah 16:17 For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes. (KJV)
Jeremiah 17:10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (KJV)
Jeremiah 23:22-24 But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings. 23 Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? 24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD. (KJV)
Jeremiah 32:19 Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings: (KJV)
Hebrews 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (KJV)
Scriptures Prove a True Prophet
Deuteronomy 13:1-4 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, 2 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;
3 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. (KJV)
Jeremiah 28:9The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him. (KJV)
WARNINGS about False Prophets
Matthew 7:15-19 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. (KJV)
Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. (KJV)
Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (KJV)
Mark 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. (KJV)
Luke 6:26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. (KJV)
Acts 13:6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: (KJV)
2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (KJV)
1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (KJV)
Revelation 16:13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. (KJV)
Revelation 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (KJV)
Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (KJV) . . . The devil and ALL who follow him shall be cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (KJV) . . . Prepared for them!
Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: (KJV)
Book of Isaiah . . Isaiah's Mini-Bible
Isaiah Ch.1 . . Isaiah Ch.2 . . Isaiah Ch.3 . . Isaiah Ch.4 . . Isaiah Ch.5 . . Isaiah Ch.6 . . Isaiah Ch.7 . . Isaiah Ch.8 . . Isaiah Ch.9 . . Isa.Ch.10 . . Isa.Ch.11 . . Isa.Ch12 . . Home Page
JUDGMENT ON THE NATIONS . . . . . Isaiah Ch.13 . . Isaiah Ch.14 . . Isaiah Ch.15 . . Isaiah Ch.16 . . Isaiah Ch.17 . . Isaiah Ch.18 . . Isaiah Ch.19 . . Isaiah Ch.20 . . Isaiah Ch.21 . . Isaiah Ch.22 . . Isaiah Ch.23 . . Home Page
ISAIAH’S APOCALYPSE . . . . . Isaiah Ch.24 . . Isaiah Ch.25 . . Isaiah Ch.26 . . Isaiah Ch.27 . . Home Page
ISAIAH'S SIX WOES . . . Isaiah Ch.28 . . Isaiah Ch.29 . . Isaiah Ch.30 . . Isaiah Ch.31 . . Isaiah Ch.32 . . Isaiah Ch.33 . . Isaiah Ch.34 . . Isaiah Ch.35 . . Home Page
Isaiah's Historic Part . . Isaiah Ch.36 . . Isaiah Ch.37 . . Isaiah Ch.38 . . Isaiah Ch.39 . . Home Page
Isaiah Speaks of Messiah's Incarnation. . Isaiah Ch.40 . . Isaiah Ch.41 . . Isaiah Ch.42 . . Isaiah Ch.43 . . Isaiah Ch.44 . . Isaiah Ch.45 . . Isaiah Ch.46 . . Isaiah Ch.47 . . Isaiah Ch.48 . . Home Page
Isaiah's Introduction to the Suffering Servant
Isaiah's Suffering Servant Prophecy. . . Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Isaiah's Redemption Through the Suffering Servant . . . Isaiah Ch.49 . . Isaiah Ch.50 . . Isaiah Ch.51 . . Isaiah Ch.52 . . Isaiah Ch.53 . . Isaiah Ch.54 . . Isaiah Ch.55 . . Isaiah Ch.56 . . Isaiah Ch.57 . . Home Page
Isaiah's Vision of the Dispersion . . . Isaiah Ch.58 . . Isaiah Ch59 . . Isaiah Ch.60 . . Isaiah Ch.61 . . Isaiah Ch.62 . . Isaiah Ch.63 . . Isaiah Ch.64 . . Isaiah Ch.65 . . Isaiah Ch.66 . . Home Page
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