Isaiah 45

1. His anointed. Cyrus is called the anointed of Jehovah, because God had solemnly set him apart to perform an important public service in His cause.

To subdue nations. See Ezra i. 2.

1 will loose the loins of kings. As the girding of the loins was necessary to active exercise, so the “loosening” or ungirding them represents lassitude or weakness. God says that He will weaken the enemies of Cyrus.

3 the treasures of darkness. Hidden in vaults and “secret places.” The countries which Cyrus conquered were among the richest in the world. The wealth of Cressus, king of Lydia, was proverbial, and that of Babylon was probably greater (see Xenophon, Cyrop. vii. 2, 11).

5. I girded thee. See note on “loose,” ver. 1.

7. I form the light, and create darkness. According to the Persians there were two co-eternal beings, who divided the government of the world between them. One of these, called Ormuzd, was regarded as the principle of light, the source of all good; while the other, Ahriman, was thought to be the principle of darkness, and the fountain of all evil. Jehovah is the only God independent and sovereign. The “evil” and the “darkness” here are shown by the context to mean penal judgements.

8 let righteousness, etc. “Let her (the earth) cause,” etc., R.V.

9. Woe unto him, etc. The R.V. renders, more literally and expressly, “Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! a potsherd among the potsherds of the earth.”

11 command ye Me. Or, “ask of Me”; that is, instead of arrogantly doubting My proceedings, inquire humbly respecting My designs, and leave the care of them to Me.

13. I have raised him up. That is, Cyrus; who will be led to these generous acts not by any prospect of remuneration, but by a regard to the command of God: see Ezra i. 2.

14 the Sabeans. See note on xliii. 3. The extraordinary stature of the Sabeans is mentioned by Herodotus, b. 3, c. 20. It seems to be introduced here to enhance the glory of Israel’s superiority, and the submission of the Gentile nations.

15. Verily Thou art a God that hidest Thyself. The prophet utters his feelings of admiring awe at the view granted to him of God’s great plan of purifying, delivering, and honouring Israel, by their exile in Babylon and restoration by Cyrus. God’s work of redemption and restoration of His people calls forth from the apostle Paul a similar exclamation (Rom. xi. 33-36).

17 in the Lord. “By the Eternal.”

19. I have not spoken in secret. Not like the dark and doubtful responses of heathen oracles, to which men resorted in vain; but in plain, exact, circumstantial language, which should always be verified by the event.

20 ye that are escaped of the nations. Surviving the desolating judgements upon the idolaters.

These are invited to come and observe the uselessness of trusting in idol gods.

that set up. Rather, “that carry” (R.V.); a sarcastic reference to the fugitives carrying their helpless gods.

22. All the ends of the earth. “The ends of the earth” includes all nations: see Psa. lxxii. 8; xviii. 3. In this verse “the first imperative exhorts, the second promises” (Delitzsch).

23. I have sworn by Myself. Vers. 23, 24 contain a fuller statement of the truth intimated in ver. 22, that the benefits of salvation shall be extended to the whole world. That there is here a primary and direct reference to the Messiah is evident from Rom. xiv. 11; Phil. ii. 10, 11.

24. Surely. Or, “Only,” as R.V.

25 all the seed of Israel. That is, all the true children of God; His Israel gathered out of the whole human race.