Isaiah Chapter 45

From The Open Bible Project

45:1 Thus says Yahweh to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held, to subdue nations before him, and strip kings of their armor; to open the doors before him, and the gates shall not be shut:

• (a) To assure the Jews of their deliverance against the great temptations that they would abide, he names the person and the means.
• (b) Because Cyrus would execute the office of a deliverer, God called him his anointed for a time, but after another sort than he called David.
• (c) To guide him in the deliverance of my people.

45:2 "I will go before you, and make the rough places smooth. I will break the doors of brass in pieces, and cut apart the bars of iron.

• (d) I will take away all impediments and hindrances.

45:3 I will give you the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that it is I, Yahweh, who call you by your name, even the God of Israel.

• (e) Not that Cyrus knew God to worship him correctly, but he had a certain particular knowledge as profane men may have of his power, and so was compelled to deliver God’s people.

45:4 For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel my chosen, I have called you by your name. I have surnamed you, though you have not known me.

• (f) Not for anything that is in you, or for your worthiness.

45:5 I am Yahweh, and there is none else. Besides me, there is no God. I will [20] strengthen [See Isaiah Footnotes 20] you, though you have not known me;

• (g) I have given you strength, power and authority.

45:6 that they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none besides me. I am Yahweh, and there is no one else.

45:7 I form the light, and create darkness. I make peace, and create calamity. I am Yahweh, who does all these things.

• (h) I send peace and war, prosperity and adversity, as in (Amos 3:6).

45:8 Distil, you heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness. Let the earth open, that it may bring forth salvation, and let it cause righteousness to spring up with it. I, Yahweh, have created it.

• (i) He comforts the Jews as if he would say, "Though when you look to the heavens and earth for comfort you see nothing now but signs of God’s wrath, yet will cause them to bring forth certain tokens of your deliverance, and of the performance of my promise": which is meant by righteousness.
• (k) I have appointed Cyrus to this use and purpose.

45:9 Woe to him who strives with his Maker-- a clay pot among the clay pots of the earth! Shall the clay ask him who fashions it, 'What are you making?' or your work, 'He has no hands?'

• (l) By this he bridles their impatience, who in adversity and trouble murmur against God, and will not tarry his pleasure: willing that man would match with his like, and not contend against God.
• (m) That is, it is not perfectly made.

45:10 Woe to him who says to a father, 'What have you become the father of?' or to a mother, 'To what have you given birth?'"

45:11 Thus says Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: "You ask me about the things that are to come, concerning my sons, and you command me concerning the work of my hands!

• (n) Instead of murmuring, humble yourselves and ask what you will for the consolation of my children, and you will be sure of it as you are of these things which are at your command. Some read it with an interrogation, and make it the application of the comparison.

45:12 I have made the earth, and created man on it. I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens; and I have commanded all their army.

• (o) That is, the stars.

45:13 I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will make straight all his ways. He shall build my city, and he shall let my exiles go free, not for price nor reward," says Yahweh of Armies.

• (p) That is, Cyrus, that I may show by him the faithfulness of my promise in delivering my people.
• (q) Meaning, freely and without ransom, or any grievous condition.

45:14 Thus says Yahweh: "The labor of Egypt, and the merchandise of Ethiopia, and the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over to you, and they shall be yours. They will go after you. They shall come over in chains; and they will bow down to you. They will make supplication to you: 'Surely God is in you; and there is none else. There is no other god.

• (r) These people were tributaries to the Persians, and so king Artahshashte gave this money toward the building of the temple, (Ezra 7:27).
• (s) While they were your enemies, they will now honour you and you will rule them: which was accomplished in the time of Christ.

45:15 Most certainly you are a God who hid yourself, God of Israel, the Savior.'"

• (t) By this he exhorts the Jews to patience, though their deliverance is deferred for a time: showing that they would not repent their long patience, but the wicked and idolaters will be destroyed.

45:16 They will be disappointed, yes, confounded, all of them. Those who are makers of idols will go into confusion together.

45:17 Israel will be saved by Yahweh with an everlasting salvation. You will not be disappointed nor confounded to ages everlasting.

45:18 For thus says Yahweh who created the heavens, the God who formed the earth and made it, who established it and didn't create it a waste, who formed it to be inhabited: "I am Yahweh; and there is no other.

• (u) That is, of men, but chiefly of his Church.

45:19 I have not spoken in secret, in a place of the land of darkness. I didn't say to the seed of Jacob, 'Seek me in vain.' I, Yahweh, speak righteousness. I declare things that are right.

• (x) As do the false gods, who give uncertain answers.

45:20 "Assemble yourselves and come. Draw near together, you who have escaped from the nations. Those have no knowledge who carry the wood of their engraved image, and pray to a god that can't save.

• (y) All you idolaters who though you seem to have worldly dignity yet in God’s sight you are vile and abject.

45:21 Declare and present it. Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has shown this from ancient time? Who has declared it of old? Haven't I, Yahweh? There is no other God besides me, a just God and a Savior; There is no one besides me.

45:22 "Look to me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.

• (z) He calls the idolaters to repentance, willing them to look on him with the eye of faith.

45:23 By myself have I sworn, the word has gone forth from my mouth in righteousness, and will not return, that to me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

• (a) That is, that the thing which I have promise will be faithfully performed.
• (b) The knowledge of God and the true worshipping will be through all the world, (Romans 14:11; Romans 2:10) by which he signifies that we must not only serve God in heart, but declare the same also by outward profession.

45:24 They will say of me, 'There is righteousness and strength only in Yahweh.'" Even to him shall men come; and all those who were incensed against him shall be disappointed.

• (c) Meaning the faithful will feel and confess this.
• (d) All the contemners of God.

45:25 In Yahweh shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.