Yahweh will Deliver All who Look to Him. Yahweh created the earth to be, not desolate, but a dwelling-place for man. Nor has He concealed Himself in some remote mysterious shrine, like the oracles of some heathen deities. He has declared the truth when He has been inquired of. Even now the end of the conquests of Cyrus is not that the earth, apart from the land of Israel, shall become a desolation instead of a dwelling-place. The survivors are bidden approach. They have proved the impotence of their portable gods. But Yahweh long ago predicted these events; the issue has demonstrated His control of history. With surprising grace He invites all men to turn to Him for deliverance. Yea, He has proclaimed, and His word cannot but fulfil itself, that every man shall swear allegiance to Him. He is the only source of victory and strength. His opponents shall be discomfited, but Israel shall boast of her triumph through Him.
Isaiah 45:19. a place of: delete. in vain: read mg.
Isaiah 45:21. bring forth: i.e. perhaps, your witnesses.
Isaiah 45:23. The word, once uttered, becomes almost a personality, certainly a force, which will not return until it has fulfilled itself (cf. Isaiah 55:11). Read the first mg. rendering, substituting truth for righteousness.
Isaiah 45:24. unto me: read, to Jacob. righteousness: victory. even. ashamed: read, for his sake shall be confounded and ashamed all they that were incensed against him.