The Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 41:21-29

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

JEHOVAH'S CONTROVERSY WITH THE NATIONS AND THEIR IDOL-GODS. The argument is now taken up from Isaiah 41:1-4. Jehovah and his worshippers are on the one side; the idol-gods and their votaries on the other. The direct challenge, however, is given by Jehovah himself to the idols:

1. What predictions of their own can they bring forward as proofs of supernatural knowledge?

2. What indications can they give of power either to do good or to do evil (Isaiah 41:22, Isaiah 41:23)? If they can do neither, they are vanity (Isaiah 41:24). Jehovah has both reared up Cyrus he and he only—and has announced the good tidings to his people (Isaiah 41:25-27). No such announcement has been made by the idol-gods; they are therefore mere "wind and confusion" (Isaiah 41:28, Isaiah 41:29).

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The Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 41:1-29Isaiah 41:1-29 · The Pulpit CommentarySECTION II.—RECOVERY OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD FROM THEIR SIN, AND FROM THEIR BONDAGE IN BABYLON (CH. 41-48.). EXPOSITION The Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 41:17-29Isaiah 41:17-29 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe claims of Jehovah. The thought seems to resume the thread broken off at the beginning of the chapter. Jehovah appeals to what he has done and to what he is. I. HIS MERCIFUL DEALINGS WITH HIS PEOPLE. The scene and st…Matthew Henry on Isaiah 41:21-29Isaiah 41:21-29 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryThere needs no more to show the folly of sin, than to bring to notice the reasons given in defence of it. There is nothing in idols worthy of regard. They are less than nothing, and worse than nothing. Let the advocates…Idolatry Exposed. (b. c. 708.)Isaiah 41:21-29 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleIDOLATRY EXPOSED. (B. C. 708.) The Lord, by the prophet, here repeats the challenge to idolaters to make out the pretentions of their idols: "Produce your cause (Isaiah 41:21) and make your best of it; bring forth the s…The Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 41:21-29Isaiah 41:21-29 · The Pulpit CommentaryA true test of Divinity. When these words were written the question to be solved was—Which god, of all the rival deities, is worthy of human trust and worship? The question now is—What is the authority to which we shall…The Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 41:21Isaiah 41:21 · The Pulpit CommentaryProduce your cause. The nations had been told to "draw near"—to "keep silence" while God spoke—and "then to speak" (Isaiah 41:1). Now the time for them to speak is come, and they are challenged to "produce" and plead "t…

commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 41:1-29SECTION II.—RECOVERY OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD FROM THEIR SIN, AND FROM THEIR BONDAGE IN BABYLON (CH. 41-48.). EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 41:17-29The claims of Jehovah. The thought seems to resume the thread broken off at the beginning of the chapter. Jehovah appeals to what he has done and to what he is. I. HIS MERCIFUL DEALINGS WITH HIS PEOPLE. The scene and st…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryMatthew Henry on Isaiah 41:21-29There needs no more to show the folly of sin, than to bring to notice the reasons given in defence of it. There is nothing in idols worthy of regard. They are less than nothing, and worse than nothing. Let the advocates…Matthew Henry commentaryIdolatry Exposed. (b. c. 708.)IDOLATRY EXPOSED. (B. C. 708.) The Lord, by the prophet, here repeats the challenge to idolaters to make out the pretentions of their idols: "Produce your cause (Isaiah 41:21) and make your best of it; bring forth the s…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 41:21-29The futility and absurdity of false systems do not prevent them from keeping their hold on men. At the present day, men are apt to find it strange that the prophets should spend so much time, employ so many words, in co…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 41:21Produce your cause. The nations had been told to "draw near"—to "keep silence" while God spoke—and "then to speak" (Isaiah 41:1). Now the time for them to speak is come, and they are challenged to "produce" and plead "t…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 41:21-29A true test of Divinity. When these words were written the question to be solved was—Which god, of all the rival deities, is worthy of human trust and worship? The question now is—What is the authority to which we shall…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 41:22Let them … show us what will happen. God claims that the power of predicting the future is his own inalienable prerogative. He defies the idol-gods and their votaries to give any clear prediction of future events. No do…Joseph S. Exell and contributors