Isaiah 45:18-21

For thus saith the Lord— The Almighty here renews his discourse to the proselytes of the nations, to confirm them in their belief of the true religion, and to eradicate all the prejudices of idolatry from their minds. A preface suitable to the scope of the discourse is prefixed, consisting of two articles; the first, in this verse, claiming to God the glory of creating this earth with a wise and gracious design: The second, in Isaiah 45:19 wherein God, first, opposes his predictions, and the manner of them, to the manner in which the ministers and prophets of the false gods delivered their prophesies, I have not spoken in secret, &c. Secondly, declares that they who sought him, should not do so in vain; and thirdly, that his promises were righteous and true; and should never fail those who confided in them: After which, we have in the 20th and 21st verses, the conviction of the proselytes; those who are escaped of the nations; where the truth of God and the vanity of idols are set forth, from the mighty work which God had done for the deliverance of his church, and from his prediction of that work. We may read the second clause of Isaiah 45:19. I said not to the seed of Jacob, in vain, seek me. The beginning of the 21st verse would be more clearly rendered thus, Come forth, and produce your arguments; nay, let them take counsel together, &c. See ch. Isaiah 41:21 and Vitringa.