Isaiah 41 - Introduction

The appearance of the Conqueror Cyrus, a proof that Jehovah presides over the destinies of all nations

The prophet here touches the soil of contemporary history. Although he is more of a theologian than earlier prophets, he is nevertheless like them an interpreter to Israel of the signs of the times, and the great historical fact which was the occasion of his message is the rise of the new Persian Power. The victories of Cyrus have already challenged the attention of the world. He conquered Media in 549; he overthrew Croesus, king of Lydia, in 540, and captured Babylon in 538. The stand-point of the prophecy is obviously somewhere in this career of conquest, certainly subsequent to 549, when the Medo-Persian empire was consolidated, and most probably subsequent to the defeat of Croesus in 540, the most signal success of Cyrus prior to the occupation of Babylon, which of course is still in the future. See Introd. pp. xvii ff.

In form the chapter is dramatic. Two great debates are imagined: the first (Isaiah 41:1) between Jehovah and the nations; the second (Isaiah 41:21) between Jehovah and the idols, the subject of both being the appearance of Cyrus. In the intervening passage (Isaiah 41:8) Jehovah encourages His servant Israel in view of this great crisis of history.

The chapter accordingly may be analysed as follows:

i. Isa 41:1-7. The proof of Jehovah's sovereignty in the form of a discussion between Him and the nations.

(1) Isaiah 41:1. The nations are summoned into the presence of Jehovah, that it may be seen whether they can produce an explanation of the rise of Cyrus (1). The problem is propounded: who has raised him up? who is leading him from victory to victory? (2 f.); to which the answer follows in the end of Isaiah 41:4.

(2) Isaiah 41:5. In their consternation the nations are represented as betaking themselves to the fabrication of new idols to reassure themselves against the advance of the conqueror. (But see the notes below.)

ii. Isa 41:8-20. Turning from the nations, Jehovah addresses Israel with words of encouragement and consolation.

(1) Isaiah 41:8. Israel is Jehovah's servant or client, chosen in the person of Abraham to be the organ of the true religion and never since cast off; hence it is upheld through all its history by the strength of its Almighty Protector.

(2) Isaiah 41:11. Israel need not fear (in the coming convulsions) for by the help of Jehovah it shall put to shame all its enemies, and annihilate mountains of opposition.

(3) Isaiah 41:17. But Israel, in the distress and misery of the Exile, needs first of all refreshment; and this shall be abundantly and miraculously provided. The figures are suggested by the thirsty march through the desert: but, as in ch. Isaiah 40:3 f., the material becomes a symbol of the spiritual, of Jehovah's all-sufficient grace for the needs of His people.

iii. Isa 41:21-29. The argument for Jehovah's Divinity is resumed; but this time the parties to the debate are the true God and the idols.

(1) Isaiah 41:21. The question is first stated in general terms: what proof can the false gods produce of their own divinity? Has any articulate prediction of theirs anticipated the great events that are happening? Or will they nowundertake to foretell the issue of those events? They cannot; and their pretensions are dismissed as unworthy of serious consideration.

(2) Isaiah 41:25. Then the appearance of Cyrus is adduced as an instance in which they might have been expected to exercise the divine function of foreknowledge. But while Jehovah has called and strengthened Cyrus and announced it beforehand, theyhave not even fore seen that He would do so.