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Isaiah 44:1-28 open_in_new
The Impotence of Idols
1-23. The reproach of God's people shall be entirely removed. Jehovah the Eternal, who rules the events of history, contrasted with the futile gods of the heathen.
24-28. This great Jehovah pledges the restoration of His people through Cyrus.
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Isaiah 44:2 open_in_new
Jesurun] i.e. 'upright,' a symbolic name of Israel (Deuteronomy 32:15), indicating its ideal character. Fear not] i.e. on account of past failure and apparent inability to realise the future which God sets before you.
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Isaiah 44:5 open_in_new
The meaning is that the nations of the world will count it an honour to associate themselves with Israel and be reckoned as the Lord's people. Subscribe, etc.] i.e. sign himself as the Lord's. Surname himself] as with a title of honour.
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Isaiah 44:6 open_in_new
Cp. Isaiah 43:11; Isaiah 43:18. His redeemer] i.e. the deliverer of Israel.
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Isaiah 44:7 open_in_new
A challenge to others to foretell the future, as Jehovah does by His prophet (Isaiah 41:22). RM 'And who, as I, can proclaim? let him declare it,' etc.
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Isaiah 44:8 open_in_new
From that time] RV 'of old.' My witnesses] see Isaiah 43:10; Isaiah 43:12. No God] RV 'no Rock.' Rock, as a title of God (cp. Isaiah 17:10; Deuteronomy 32:4; Deuteronomy 32:15; Deuteronomy 32:18), expresses the permanent strength and protection He affords.
8-20. The folly of idolaters exposed.
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Isaiah 44:9 open_in_new
They are their own, etc.] RV 'their own witnesses see not,' i.e. the witnesses on behalf of the idols (the heathen), as opposed to Jehovah's witnesses (the Jews), Isaiah 44:8.
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Isaiah 44:11 open_in_new
All his fellows] RM 'all that join themselves thereto.' They are of men] i.e. of human origin, and, therefore, cannot make God. Bead, 'The smith sharpeneth a tool and worketh,' etc. (RM).
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Isaiah 44:12 open_in_new
Description of the making of a metal idol. The maker is frail man.
13, etc. Description of the making of a wooden idol. A line] RV 'a pencil. Fitteth] RV 'shapeth.'
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Isaiah 44:14 open_in_new
The v. describes the choosing of the wood, and the planting of the tree, for making an idol. Cypress.. ash] RV 'holm tree.. fir.' Strengthened] i.e. carefully tends its growth, or chooses, selects.
15-17. The uses to which the tree is put. Part is used for human purposes, part to make a god.
18-20. Idolaters are so infatuated that they do not see the contradiction involved in such conduct.
21-23. A contrast. Jehovah will show His power and graciousness in the deliverance of His people.
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Isaiah 44:22 open_in_new
A cloud] which soon disperses.
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Isaiah 44:24 open_in_new
He is supreme over all things.
By myself] RV 'who is with me? 'implying that Jehovah alone does these things.
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Isaiah 44:25 open_in_new
He frustrates false prophets, but pledges Himself to fulfil the predictions of His own prophets as to the restoration of Jerusalem (Isaiah 44:26-28).
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Isaiah 44:26 open_in_new
Servant] here a synonym for 'prophet': cp. Isaiah 20:3. Messengers] the prophets generally.
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Isaiah 44:27 open_in_new
The allusion is to the drying up, (a) of the waters which would impede the returning exiles, or (b) of the waters which protected Babylon (Jeremiah 50:38; Jeremiah 51:36). Cyrus, in fact, entered Babylon by diverting the Euphrates from its usual channel and marching by the river bed.
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Isaiah 44:28 open_in_new
As the Assyrian was Jehovah's appointed instrument for the chastisement of His people (Isaiah 10:5), so Cyrus is singled out as His instrument for their restoration. Even saying, etc.] literally fulfilled in the decree of Cyrus (Ezra 1:1; 2 Chronicles 36:22-23).