ISAIAH 44:24 TO ISAIAH 45:8. YAHWEH'S COMMISSION TO CYRUS. Yahweh reminds Israel of His power as sole Creator of the universe. What He created He still controls, so that He falsifies the predictions deduced by the soothsayers from the omens, and makes the diviners look foolish, while He fulfils the... [ Continue Reading ]
YAHWEH JUSTIFIES HIS CHOICE OF CYRUS. Whoever questions the wisdom of Yahweh's working through Cyrus, He likens to clay that would instruct the potter. Would ye, He asks, question Me as to the things that are in process, or command Me as to the work I have in hand? Let it suffice that I who created... [ Continue Reading ]
HEATHEN PEOPLES SEE IN THE DELIVERANCE OF ISRAEL THE MIGHT OF ISRAEL'S GOD. The passage is obscure, but possibly represents captives whom Cyrus has taken from the nations delivered up to him in exchange for Israel as passing the returning exiles, and entreating, through Israel, Israel's God; for pla... [ Continue Reading ]
YAHWEH WILL DELIVER ALL WHO LOOK TO HIM. Yahweh created the earth to be, not desolate, but a dwelling-place for man. Nor has He concealed Himself in some remote mysterious shrine, like the oracles of some heathen deities. He has declared the truth when He has been inquired of. Even now the end of th... [ Continue Reading ]