Isaiah 44:6.— Vitringa begins the third discourse of the fourth book of this prophesy at this verse, extends it to the 48th chapter, and divides it into four sections; the first section, continuing the thread of the preceding disputation and conviction, from the deliverance of the church to be procured by Cyrus, clearly foretold by Isaiah and subsequent prophets, describes the madness of idolatry, and ascribes this great work, as if it were now present, to God alone. Chap. Isaiah 44:6-28. The second, after an apostrophe to Cyrus, pursues the same conviction, and largely sets forth the use and consequence of the blessing, namely, the calling and salvation of the Gentiles, chap. 45: The third foretels the destruction of the Babylonish empire, and demonstrates the vanity of every other false religion, from the vanity of the Babylonish idolatry; chap. 46: and in the fourth, the prophet more largely foretels the fall of Babylon, and the catastrophe of the Babylonish empire: chap. 47: The first section is three-fold; the first part is redargutory, wherein the Jewish people, who had revolted from God by idolatry, are convinced, first, of the true divinity of the God of Israel, from the illustrious effects of his providence, clearly foretold by him, and proved by the event; Isaiah 44:6-8 where we have a magnificent preface, containing the exordium of the reproof, Isaiah 44:6 and the reproof itself, Isaiah 44:7-8. Secondly, they are convinced of the vanity and folly of idolatry and idolaters; Isaiah 44:9-20. The second part is exhortatory, encouraging the Jewish people to true repentance, as well from this conviction, as from the promises of grace, and the effects of those promises, Isaiah 44:21-22. The third part is consolatory, wherein the deliverance of the people from the Babylonish captivity is described as if present, and as a wonderful effect of divine providence and grace; and particularly celebrated from its principal cause: wherein we have, first, the proposition, by way of apostrophe, to heaven, earth, and all the creatures, inciting them to praise God for this singular blessing to his people. Secondly, a declaration of this blessing with respect to its causes; GOD the principal one, Isaiah 44:24-27. Cyrus the instrumental, Isaiah 44:28.
Thus saith the Lord— You perceive that the discourse again departs from the immediately preceding subject, which is wholly evangelical, and that with a preface the prophet renews the conviction of idolaters, particularly the Jews, who were to be carried captive to Babylon, and for whose seed God would perform those promises which the prophet had just foretold. God would begin to fulfil those promises with the deliverance of the Jewish nation from Babylon: this should be the first sign of his reconciliation with his people. But the people could not partake of these benefits without a true conversion to God, and a renunciation of all idolatry and false religion. To which therefore, as to a condition absolutely necessary, the prophet here invites the people; and this is the foundation of the whole discourse. See Vitringa.