Isaiah 45:18

For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else. FOR THUS SAITH THE LORD THAT CREATED THE HEAVENS - (note, .) HE CREATED IT NOT IN VAIN, HE FORMED IT TO BE INHABITED - therefore, Judah lying waste during the Babylonian captivity, shall be populated again by the exiles. The Jews, from this passage, infer that, after the resurrection, the earth shall be inhabited; because there can be no reason why the earth should then exist in vain anymore than now ()....

18._For thus saith Jehovah. _This verse tends to confirm the preceding; for the Prophet means that the Jews are fully convinced that the Lord will at length deliver them, though they are oppressed by wretched bondage. _God the maker of the earth. _Some think that by “the earth” is here meant Judea, but I consider it to be an argument from the less to the greater, as we said formerly on the twelfth verse, that, since the providence of God extends universally to the creatures, much more does it relate to those whom he has adopted to be his sons; for of them he has a special care. In short, the Prophet’s argument is this. “Since God created the earth, that men might have an abode and habitation in it, much more did he create it, that there might be a residence for his Church; for he takes a deeper concern about his Church than about all the rest.” If, therefore, he founded the earth, if he...

11-19 Believers may ask in prayer for what they need; if for their good, it will not be withheld. But how common to hear God called to account for his dealings with man! Cyrus provided for the returning Jews. Those redeemed by Christ shall be provided for. The restoration would convince many, and convert some; and all that truly join the Lord, find his service perfect freedom. Though God be his people's God and Saviour, yet sometimes he lays them under his frowns; but let them wait upon the Lord who hides his face. There is a world without end; and it will be well or ill with us, according as it shall be with us in that world. The Lord we serve and trust, is God alone. All that God has said is plain, satisfactory, and just. As God in his word calls us to seek him, so he never denied believing prayers, nor disappointed believing expectations. He gives grace sufficient, and comfort and sat...

Verse Isaiah 45:18. _HE FORMED IT TO BE INHABITED _- "For he formed it to be inhabited"] An ancient MS. has כי _ki_ before לשבת _lashebeth_; and so the ancient Versions....

FOR THUS SAITH THE LORD - This verse is designed to induce them to put uuwavering confidence in the true God. For this purpose, the prophet enumerates the great things which God had done in proof that he alone was A mighty, and was worthy of trust. HE HATH ESTABLISHED IT - That is, the earth. The language here is derived from the supposition that the earth is laid upon a foundation, and is made firm. The Septuagint renders this, ‘God who displayed the earth to view, and who, having made it, divided it (διώρισεν αὐτὴν _diōrisen_ _autēn_) that is, parcelled it out to be inhabited. This accords well with the scope of the passage. HE CREATED IT NOT IN VAIN - He did not form it to remain a vast desert without inhabitants. HE FORMED IT TO BE INHABITED -...

EXPOSITION ISAIAH 45:1 GOD'S WILL CONCERNING HIM ANNOUNCED TO CYRUS. This direct address of God to a heathen king is without a parallel in Scripture. Nebuchadnezzar, Pharaoh, Abimelech, were warned through dreams. Nebuchadnezzar was even promised Divine aid (Ezekiel 30:24, Ezekiel 30:25). But no heathen monarch had previously been personally addressed by God, much less called "his anointed," and spoken to _by his name _(Isaiah 45:4). Three motives are mentioned for this speci

FOR THUS SAITH THE LORD, THAT CREATED THE HEAVENS,.... These words, and what follow, are the words of the Son of God, of the Lord the Saviour, in whom Israel is saved with an everlasting salvation; and this is said to assure them of it, as well as to distinguish himself from the gods of the Gentiles, who made not the heavens and the earth, as he had done; for by the Word of the Lord, the essential Word of God, were the heavens made in the beginning; see Psalms 33:6: GOD HIMSELF, THAT FORMED THE EARTH, AND MADE IT, HE HATH ESTABLISHED IT; the Saviour is God himself, truly and properly God, who has all the perfections of deity in him; and this appears as from his creation of the heavens, so from his forming, making and establishing the earth; he made the chaos of the earth out of nothing; he formed that chaos he made into a beautiful order, and prepared, as the last word c sig

While we are reading this chapter, and thinking of Cyrus, the Lord's anointed deliverer for Israel, let us not forget the greater Deliverer of whom the hymn writer sings, «Thus saith God of his Anointed; He shall let my people go Tis the work for him appointed, Tis the work that he shall do; And my city He shall found, and build it, too.» Isaiah 45:1. _Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;_ It was thought impossible for any foreign troops to enter Babylon; yet the gates were found open, and the army of Cyrus marched in, and took possession of the city....

CHAPTER 45 The Word of Jehovah to Cyrus, to Israel and to the Ends of the Earth 1. _Thus saith Jehovah to Cyrus (Isaiah 45:1)_ 2. _Thus saith Jehovah: Israel shall be saved (Isaiah 45:14)_ 3. _Thus saith Jehovah to the ends of the earth: Every knee to bow (Isaiah 45:18) _ Cyrus is called in this chapter God's anointed (Messiah). Jehovah called him by name, but it was for the sake of Israel. But it is well to bear in mind that Cyrus, God's instrument, called and prepared to make the restoration of a remnant possible, is likewise a type of Christ, through whom alone the promises of God to the nation can be accomplished. Note the statements “Israel shall be saved in Jehovah with an everl

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 the conquests of Cyrus is not that the earth, apart from the land of Israel, shall become a desolation instead of a dwelling-place. The survivors are bidden approach. They have proved the impotence of their portable gods. But Yahweh long ago predicted these events; the issue has demonstrated His control of history. With surprising grace He invites all men to turn to Him for deliverance. Yea, He has proclaimed, and His word cannot but fulfil itself, that every man shall swear allegiance to Him. He is the only source of victory and strength. His opponents shall be discomfited, but Israel shall boa...