Isaiah 41

Chap. XLI. Ver. 1—29. God’s expostulation with his people on their ingratitude.—The Prophet having intimated the deliverance from Babylon, and the still greater redemption couched under it, resumes the subject, foretells the success of the deliverer that should release them from their captivity, and the ineffectual attempts of the nations and their idols to impede his progress. He then encourages the seed of Abraham not to fear; for that God would subdue all their enemies under them, and furnish every thing necessary to refresh and comfort them in their passage homewards through the desert. These he exhibits, under the figures of fountains and rivers, and the cultivation of the barren deserts. The Prophet then takes occasion to extol the prescience of God, in his knowledge of future events; and justly challenges the idols of the heathens to give the like proof of their deity or divinity.

But they are all vanity, and accursed are they that choose or serve them. The chief question in this chapter regards “the righteous person from the east,” concerning whom there are two principal opinions. Bishop Lowth, following the Chaldee and the great stream of Jewish interpreters, understands it of Abraham; but with all our reverence for the learned prelate, we confess ourselves more inclined to the interpretation which explains it of Cyrus, who is expressly named by the Prophet, (Isaiah 44)and xlv.; in the last verse of the former being called the Lord’s “Shepherd,” and in the first of the latter “the Lord’s anointed,” and before whom the Lord had promised to break his enemies in pieces.

The advocates of both these interpretations, however, give the text a reference ultimately to the Messiah, in whom centre all the rays of typical and prophetic glory. The latter interpretation (as referring to Cyrus) is sanctioned also by names of great eminence, among whom we shall only mention Gataker, Dr. J. Smith, and Dr.

Notes on the verses

Chap. XLI. Ver. 2. As the dust to his sword.—That is, numerous as the dust. See (Isaiah 17:13). xxix. 5.

Ver. 5. They drew near, and came.—That is, the heathen, struck with astonishment, flew to idols for protection.

Ver. 7. The carpenter encouraged the goldsmith.—Lowth, “The carver