41:1ffThe “king from the east” is Cyrus Hl of Persia, who would be king within a century and a half (he is also mentioned by name in 44:28). He conquered Babylon in 539 B.C. and was responsible for the decree releasing the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem. God could even use a pagan ruler to protect and care for Israel, because God is in control of al! world empires and politics.
Life Application Study BibleIsaiahChapter 41
Isaiah 41
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 1153, 1154, 1155, 1156
41Isaiah 41
1The court is ready for your case.
2“Who has stirred up this king from the east,rightly calling him to God's service?
Who gives this man victory over many nationsand permits him to trample their kings underfoot?With his sword, he reduces armies to dust.With his bow, he scatters them like chaff before the wind.
3He chases them away and goes on safely,though he is walking over unfamiliar ground.
4Who has done such mighty deeds,summoning each new generation from the beginning of time?It is I, the LORD, the First and the Last.Talone am he.”
5The lands beyond the sea watch in fear.Remote lands tremble and mobilize for war.
6The idol makers encourage one another,saying to each other, “Be strong!”
7The carver encourages the goldsmith,and the molder helps at the anvil.“Good,” they say. “It’s coming along fine.”Carefully they join the parts together,then fasten the thing in place so it won't fall over.
8“But as for you, Israel my servant,Jacob my chosen one,descended from Abraham my friend,
9Thave called you back from the ends of the earth,saying, ‘You are my servant.’For I have chosen youand will not throw you away.
10Don't be afraid, for I am with you.Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you.I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
11“See, all your angry enemies lie there,confused and humiliated.Anyone who opposes you will dieand come to nothing.
12You will look in vainfor those who tried to conquer you.Those who attack youwill come to nothing.
13For I hold you by your right hand—I, the LORD your God.And I say to you,‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.
14Though you are a lowly worm, O Jacob,don’t be afraid, people of Israel, for I will help you.I am the LORD, your Redeemer.I am the Holy One of Israel.’
15You will be a new threshing instrumentwith many sharp teeth.You will tear your enemies apart,making chaff of mountains.
16You will toss them into the air,and the wind will blow them all away;a whirlwind will scatter them.Then you will rejoice in the LORD.You will glory in the Holy One of Israel.
17“When the poor and needy search for water and there is none,and their tongues are parched from thirst,then I, the LORD, will answer them.I, the God of Israel, will never abandon them.
18I will open up rivers for them on the high plateaus.I will give them fountains of water in the valleys.I will fill the desert with pools of water.Rivers fed by springs will flow across the parched ground.
19I will plant trees in the barren desert—cedar, acacia, myrtle, olive, cypress, fir, and pine.
20T am doing this so all who see this miraclewill understand what it means—that it is the LORD who has done this,the Holy One of Israel who created it.
21“Present the case for your idols,”says the LORD.“Let them show what they can do,”says the King of Israel.*
22“Let them try to tell us what happened long agoso that we may consider the evidence.Or let them tell us what the future holds,so we can know what's going to happen.
23Yes, tell us what will occur in the days ahead.Then we will know you are gods.In fact, do anything—good or bad!Do something that will amaze and frighten us.
24But no! You are less than nothing and can do nothing at all.Those who choose you pollute themselves.
25“But I have stirred up a leader who will come from the north.Ihave called him by name from the east.I will give him victory over kings and princes.He will trample them as a potter treads on clay.
26“Who told you from the beginningthat this would happen?Who predicted this,making you admit that he was right?No one said a word!
27Twas the first to tell Zion,‘Look! Help is on the way!"*I will send Jerusalem a messenger with good news.
28Not one of your idols told you this.Not one gave any answer when I asked.
29See, they are all foolish, worthless things.All your idols are as empty as the wind.
The LORD’s Chosen Servant
42 1 “Look at my servant, whom I strengthen.He is my chosen one, who pleases me.Ihave put my Spirit upon him.
Textual footnotes
- 41:11a Hebrew in Pathros, Cush.
- 41:21 Hebrew the King of Jacob. See note on 14:1.
- 41:27 Or ‘Look! They are coming home.’
Life Application Notes 5 notes
41:4Each generation gets caught up in its own problems, but God's plan embraces all generations. When your great-grandparents lived, God worked personally in the fives of his people. When your great-grandchildren live, God will still work personally in the lives of his people. He is the only one who sees 100 years from now as clearly as 100 years ago. When you are concerned about the future, talk with God, who knows the generations of the future as well as he knows the generations of the past.
41:8-10God chose Israel through Abraham because he wanted to, not because the people deserved it (Deuteronamy 7:6-8; 9:4-6). Although God chose the Israelites to represent him to the world, they failed to do this; so God punished them and sent them into captivity. Now all believers are God’s chosen people, and all share the responsibility of representing him to the world. One day God will bring all his faithful people together. We need not fear because (1) God is with us (“I am with you”), (2) God has established a relationship with us (“l am your God”), and (3) God gives us assurance of his strength, help, and victory over sin and death. Are you aware of all the ways God has helped you?
41:14When will this remnant of God’s people be returned to their land? Old Testament prophecy is often applied both to the near future and the distant future. Judah would soon be exiled to Babylon, and a remnant would return to Jerusalem in 538 B.C. at Cyrus's decree. In the ages to come, however, God’s people would be dispersed throughout the world. These locations represent the four corners of the known world—-Hamath in the north, Egypt in the south, Assyria and Babylonia in the east, the distant coastlands in the west. Ultimately God’s people will be regathered when Christ comes to reign over the earth.
41:21-24Israel was surrounded by many nations whose gods Supposedly had special powers, such as helping crops grow and providing victory in war. These gods, however, failed to deliver. A god with limited or no power at all is not really a god. When we are tempted to put our trust in something other than the living God—money, career, family, or even military power— we should stop and ask some serious questions. Will it come through? Will it unfailingly provide what I am looking for? God delivers. When he makes a promise, he keeps it. He is completely trustworthy.