Isaiah 41:2-4

In these verses, Jehovah challengeth the inquiry into is sovereignty and power, that the eternity of his nature, and the graciousness of purposes in redemption, may be fully proved. And in the instance of Abraham, the great father of the faithful, as it should seem, is meant, the righteous man. See Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:11; Romans 4:11. The Chaldee paraphrase renders the words, who brought Abraham publickly from the East. And it should seem that the Lord refers, in Abraham's instance, to the slaughter of the kings; Genesis 14:14. But what is yet more particularly to be regarded, in the illustration of these verses of the Prophet, is that Jehovah seems to point to the sovereignty of his distinguishing grace, in the call of Abraham. Who was it called this righteous man? And what righteousness was it he had, but the righteousness of faith in the promised redemption by Christ? And who gave him this faith? Oh! how truly blessed is it to trace the Lord's hand as the first and predisposing cause, in all dispensations, whether of providence or grace? But while we behold Abraham, let us not overlook Christ. Who raised up Jesus, the Holy One of Israel, in his mediatorial character, and gave nations before him, and made him universal Lord of angels and of men! Here is the sum and substance of the scripture, to which the whole points, and in which the whole centres. Christ is indeed the Christ of God. Acts 3:26; Luke 9:20.