Isaiah 41:8-13

But thou, Israel, &c.— The prophet here subjoins to his reproof of the nations, a consolation to the people of God, drawn from the same argument, as also he had done in the preceding section. See the analysis of this chapter. In order fully to understand this consolation, it is necessary to observe, that the scene of this exhortation is to be fixed in the midst of the period between the return of the people of God from Babylon, and the manifestation of the Son of God. To this church, afflicted, weak, and struggling with adversity, which, after the return from banishment, amid straits and difficulties, expected the redemption of Israel, and a completion of the excellent promises given to the fathers, this consolation belongs: and, indeed, it is peculiarly suited to the distresses of those times, when Antiochus particularly so much oppressed Judaea; and it is well joined to the preceding prophesy respecting Cyrus; a wonderful event, well calculated to sustain their hopes, and convince them of the truth and power of their God. There is nothing in this passage of difficult interpretation. In the 9th verse, instead of called thee from the chief men thereof, Vitringa reads, called thee out from the sides thereof: an expression, which well denotes Mesopotamia or Chaldaea, and is used for it in Jeremiah 6:22; Jeremiah 31:8 Isaiah 41:14.