Finding help from the LORD to face the trying challenges of life! Isaiah 41
The book of Isaiah is a spectacular vision or book about God, His Ways, and His purposes for His
people. Chapter 40 presented an incredible series of images depicting the LORD's unfathomable vast
understanding, his vast power and authority, as well as depicting God's caring concern for his people.
Chapter 41 builds upon these images and their understanding of God. Both chapters are application
oriented. Both chapters seek to address fundamental concerns, perspectives, and beliefs/viewpoints
about God and about being God's people. It appears from this chapter that the people of God have a self
image/self perception/ or identity problem. God addresses them personally and directly half way
through the chapter as little Israel, O worm Jacob. (v.14). These are two telling expressions describing their
own self worth. These names for Israel go hand in hand with the complaint that Israel voiced in chapter
40 to God. There remember they complained that "my way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is
disregarded by my God." (40:14) Together these statements portray a mindset of a people who are
depressed and who feel so helpless. They are like tiny helpless worms lacking resources to face their
troubles.
On top of their feeling of helplessness, Israel complained and accused God for not knowing about
them and not caring about them. I maintain that chapter 40 is a powerful response to both their
defective mindset and the complaint that God does not care- and that God does understand their
situation, or even lacks the resources to help them. Chapter 41 continues to argue God's perspective that
the LORD not only knows all about them, God is involved in their lives, and that God cares about them. Let
us take a closer look at this chapter in order to see how God attempts to correct their misguided
understanding and perception of who they are (little Jacob) and who He is! But before we jump in and
take a closer look at this wonderfully encouraging chapter, I want to assert the three key ideas of the
chapter that the author wants us to know, hold on to, and apply to our own lives. 1) The imperial
summons: Do not be afraid! 2) The imperial assurance: I am with you. I will help you! 3) The imperial
backing: I am the LORD- your Redeemer and the Holy One of Israel. I may be wrong in my assessment
that these are the three main points, but I see that everything else in this great chapter either amplifies or
is tied in some way to these primary main ideas. So with this in mind let us take a closer look.
I. God reminds Israel that he is sovereign in human affairs. (vs. 1-7) This chapter resumes the
LORD's direct address to Israel from chapter 40. But wait a minute! The text states in verse one that God
is specifically addressing the nations. "Be silent before me you islands. Let the nations come forward to
speak..." The same group is talked about in verse 5 being referred to as islands and the parallel term "the
ends of the earth. I take Oswalt's position that all nations-all people including Jacob/Israel even those
who are at the ends of the earth are being summoned by God to come to court. "Let us meet together at
the place of judgment." All nations are summoned to trial to settle a judgment or case. This is not a legal
trial, but a trial to settle a controversy- an argument. What is the issue? What is being put on trial?
History! Specifically, Jacob's king is addressing all humanity and is asking everyone including his people
Israel the following question: "Who stands behind the events that happen in history?" This is the issue
that is addressed in the three verses (2-4). The question specifically involves asking this question with
respect to the powerful military and political person coming upon the world scene. This powerful
individual is initially identified as being the one from the East. Most commentators today see this as a
reference to Cyrus who will be explicitly named latter. 1 This one from the East is currently conquering or
in the process of subduing nations and kings effortlessly before his triumphal conquests. These three
verses attribute his success not merely to his own greatness as a military leader, but to someone working
behind the scenes. Someone else besides the conqueror is prompting him to move against other nations.
This someone else "hands kings and nations over to him." Verse four states that this same one is
responsible for "doing this and carrying it through." or for making it happen. The climax to this court
scene and to the debatable question that was raised from the beginning of this scene is stated in the 2nd
half of verse four. Please note this is both an emphatic reply to his own question and a extended
commentary appended to it. "Who has stirred up one from the east, calling him in righteousness to his
service?"(vs 2).
God's answer. God does not wait to let the nations answer! It was probably a rhetorical question
that at the very least, his listeners should have known the answer. Verse four "I, the LORD- the first of
them and with the last- I am he." God addresses the nations including Israel with a fact that they should
know and not ignore. He the LORD-the God of Israel is the one responsible for raising up, equipping, and
giving the One from the East (Cyrus) victory in his military campaigns. In God's words he is the one who
has done this and carried it through. No one else not even Cyrus! But that is not all that Isaiah or the text
wants us to see.
God's expanded comments. (v4) God adds two statements to his answer. "Calling forth
generations2 Implication: God not only claims to have raised up this one from the East, but others in past
generations as well. God claims to have called other people to do his work as well. The verse implies that
has called people and individuals from the beginning of time. For example, Israel should know that God
did this for Abraham and Jacob. God called them for a task or as the NIV interprets vs 2 calling them to his
service. The second statement "the first of them and with the last" could be a reference to God eternal
nature. This is asserting that God has been present with all generations from the beginning of time to the
end of time, since he has been present with each and every generation from the beginning. Taken
together God is claiming that history is not merely a series of events that happen as a result of human
actions and decisions. Rather The One from the East is not merely acting on his own impulses and
desires to increase his power and territory. No! God claims to have a hand in the events that happen in
this world.
The Nations response to this coming conqueror. (vs.5-7) The first four verses were focused
upon God putting the nations on trial to come up with an answer to the question that he demanded them
to answer. We saw that God gave his own response to the pressing question that he summoned them to
answer. The reader perhaps expects the islands or coastlands (the whole earth even the far ends of the
earth) to give their reaction to the previous trial. Verses 5-7 do focus on a response of the nations, but
with an unexpected twist. This unit describes the reaction of the nations- even the far ends to the earth
to the coming of the powerful subduing conqueror that God was raising up. They are terrified! "They
have seen and are afraid." (v5) News about his approach and conquests rightly fills them with fear and
dread. As the One from the East approaches, what do they do? They turn to each other for help and
support. And they turn to their idols for strength. Let us take a look.
1
Isaiah 44:28, 45:1.
2
(the term generation refers to a people of a particular period in history. Gn.7:1. )
As Cyrus approaches they turn to each other for strength and encouragement. There is nothing
wrong with that. This is the normal human reaction when faced with a threat. "Everyone helps his
neighbor and says to his brother "Be Strong!" This is an appropriate response even today. But the
second reaction to the news of the coming threat involving Cyrus, while not condemned explicitly, is
meant to raise questions. How do I see that? Note the details of the craftsmen working on an idol
hammering and touching up and repairing the gold plating of the idol. The interesting detail is that they
have to "nail down the idol with nails" so that it would not topple or be moved presumably by the coming
confrontation with Cyrus. Implied Point: Seriously! The nations who are in the path of the ongoing Cyrus
and his armies feel very threatened. In response to this threat, they turn for help to their god(s) as being
centered upon an idol. This idol that has to be nailed down so that it will not topple! The implied point for
his listeners to raise in their thinking is: This what you look to for security and protection against the
upcoming threat from Cyrus? Isaiah in the following central section immediately signals that Israel is not
to be like other people. They are to be different. They do not need to be afraid at the news of the coming
of this powerful conqueror. Why? The next section explains.
II. The LORD admonishes his people not to fear! He promises to help them. (Vs. 8-20)
This central section revolves around these two crucial points. Three times in this long section God
calls his people not to fear. Others may fear Cyrus approach. They should not. This section does not
provide specific reasons why they should not fear Cyrus' approach. It does not mention or even hint at
the possibility that Cyrus is going to be the means by which God is going to redeem or enable them to
return home.3 The section throughout rather reminds his people in Babylon that he is with them. He has
not forgotten them. They are his people-chosen by him and called to be his servants. Most of all; He
cares about them. He will help them, just like he cared for Abraham, Jacob, and their descendents in
Egypt. He will help them as well. How foolish of them to think " my way is hidden from Him, my cause is
disregarded by him. Let us take a look at how the following verses strongly seek to disabuse his people
then and now from such foolish thinking.
A. God declares his commitment to them. (vs.8-9) These are two very important verses in this
core section of 13 verses. These two verses reaffirm God's commitment to Jacob/Israel in exile. They
explicitly declare that God has not abandoned them. God has not rejected them. They are his special
people whom he in the past called out of Egypt to the land of Israel. They were called to be his holy
people. The exile was God's judgment upon them for their sin. God indeed punished them. God sent them
into exile. But God did not reject them or abandon them. This is the point of these two verses. The first of
two points is that God reaffirms that Jacob/Israel are his people. He does this by twice by referring to
them as called or chosen by Him. God also declares them to be his servants. Just like Abraham their
ancestor was called and declared God's servant, so are they. Not just in the past. God affirms this twice in
this short section. But you O Israel, my servant.... (vs8) "I said You are my servant I have chosen and not
rejected you." (vs.9) What they and we sometimes we find it hard to believe is that God affirms that he
loves or cares for them. "you descendents of Abraham my friend. " God declares them to be his friend
which signifies that he loves them. This is description applies not just to Abraham but to them as well.
3
The following chapters will perhaps add details that would foretell Cyrus' role as one who would enable the exiles to return home.
B. The Core Idea of this address! "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am
your God; I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (vs.10) What
a wonderful verse of Scripture! I see that this verse is the essential summary of the whole chapter. The
verse draws attention to three core ideas that will be developed further and reiterated several times in
this chapter. First: the call to not be afraid (vs. 10, 13, 14). Three times in this core section God calls his
people directly to not be afraid! Second: The promise by God that He will be with them to help them! (vs.
10, 13, and 14) Three times in this section God explicitly promises to help them. Third: The identity and
nature of the one making this promise. "I am your God" (vs. 10, 13, 14, and 16). You may not think this is
worthy as being classified as the third key I idea of this central section, but I do. I see that while it may not
be obvious, but God's promise to help them is contingent upon "who he is". Throughout this section the
author carefully names the one who is making this wonderful promise not to be afraid. For example
Isaiah's favorite term for God as we have seen is "the Holy One of Israel" This name occurs three times in
this section (14, 16, and 20) This is not by accident. So, I suggest these are his main points around which
he attaches the other lesser but equally important ideas that are expressed in this section.
Finally, let me acknowledge that this is one of the most thought provoking and densest parts of
Scripture. As a attempt to get a handle of the remaining 10 verses, let me suggest to you that it is
structured like a hymn or popular hit song. By that I mean that I see a refrain that is composed more or
less by three main ideas....Do not be afraid, I will help, and I am the LORD- your God. Be on the lookout for
this! But in addition to the refrain or chorus, be also on the lookout for three concrete examples depicting
or imaging for us vividly how the LORD will be with us to help us! You may see this chapter differently.
But let us take a closer look at this rich section.
C. First Stanza: God promises to defeat or remove the threat of their enemies against them
(v11-13). In this first section of three verses God promises to help Israel against the threat of her
enemies. Now the exact nature of this threat is not specified, except the text does a nice job defining the
threat in terms of "those who wage war against them...who oppose them...who rage against them. This
seems threatening to me. However, this threat does not seem to fit the overall context of this section of
scripture being addressed to the exiles living in Babylon in the 6th century. Who is threatening them? I do
not know. The important thing to note is that God who is with them promises to help them. How will he
help them? He will so defeat them so that they will become "ashamed and disgraced." This is the language
of defeat! Their enemies will become so neutralized that they no longer become a threat. This is seen by
the strong emphasis that their enemies will “be as nothing and perish" or " they will be as nothing at all."
Why, because God will save his people from them. Please notice and relish the refrain in verse 13 " I am
the LORD your God who takes you by your right hand and says to you Do not fear; I will help you." Please be
careful to note that all three of main ideas are present in this first refrain along with a wonderful picture
of God helping his people as portrayed by God taking hold of their right hand as he helps them. Do you
see God doing this for you or me as we encounter some distressing threats?
D. Second Stanza: God promises to help his people crush & triumph in their struggles. (1416) This is the second of three stanzas that promise the LORD's help to his people. Like the first stanza, it
too is a very powerful word of assurance to God’s peoples everywhere that he will help us in our time of
need. Once again all three main ideas: Not to be afraid, the promise of help, and the nature of the one
promising help are conveyed in these three verses. The threat of enemies who wage war is carried over
from the first stanza. What is different between the two stanzas is upon the emphasis of what God will do.
While the first stanza promised that God would deliver his people from their threat-the troubling
situation, this second stanza promises that God would make them victorious.
This is a promise that they will not just survive a threat, but God will make them triumphant. This
is a subtle but important distinction. Moses and the generation were not just delivered form their
oppressive situation in Egypt, but God made them triumph as well. God guided them to Canaan where
they were free and provided a land where they would thrive. This text by the use of two contrasting
images promises that God will transform a weak and helpless Israel into a strong nation that will prosper
in the face of threats. The first image is conveyed at the start of verse 14 where God addresses Jacob as "O
worm Israel" This is reinforced immediately by calling Israel or Jacob as "little Israel" The term expresses
the helpless and weakness of this generation living in exile. But to this worm-this group of helpless and
weak people, God promises to make them strong. What is the image that is used to convey strength? God
will help them by making them be "like a threshing sledge" Oh! Normally a threshing sledge was a heavy
wooden sled with sharp teeth underneath the sled that was pulled by oxen over the recently harvest
grain. It was used to crush the stalks of grain and separate the good grain from the husks. God promises
Israel that she will become strong again. They will become strong like a threshing sledge that can even
crush a mountain of rock into dust. This is hyperbole! The point is this is a promise of not just surviving
from her enemies but triumphing over them as well. How so! It is interesting that Israel survived as a
people more than the empires of Assyria and Babylon. How can that be? The Holy One of Israel -the
Redeemer of Israel is the one who makes the promise to help them.
E. Third Stanza: God promises to help provide for the needs of His People. (17-20) Whereas
the first two stanzas probably focused upon the same threat ( threat of enemies) to their well being, this
stanza focuses upon a different threat that also threatens the welling being of the people. The threat is
simply no water! This stanza starts of f by saying that God's people are needy. "They are poor and needy."
Without saying so they too feel threatened and afraid. Why? Because they could not find water to drink!
This is perhaps allusion to the experience of Israel in the wilderness where they could not find water to
drink.4 The result is that their tongues became parched with thirst. (v17) What did Israel do back in
Moses day? They complained and they grumbled. But in this text when the people perhaps on their
return journey from Babylon to Judah experience thirst God promises that once again He will help them.
Specifically, Isaiah declares " But I the LORD will answer them; I, the God of Israel will not forsake them."
There again is God's same promise but expressed in different words that God promises to help them.
Verses 18-19 strongly emphasize not merely that God will meet their needs and provide the water
that they need to satisfy their thirst, but he will do so abundantly. God will come to their aid to help them.
The text says "he will make rivers flow on barren heights." And the LORD "will turn the desert into pools
of water." This is not just deliverance, but the idea that God will abundantly supply the needs of his people
who call upon him. Even verse nine which seems like an extraneous detail " cedar, olive, and acacia trees
will flourish in the wasteland" It is a vivid detail- perhaps hyperbole- to underscore the idea that God will
help his people- He will not only deliver them but cause them to flourish. Why does God act in such a
way? The concluding verse of this central section explains why! So that we come to realize that God cares!
Let us look at verse 20. "So that people may see and know may consider and understand that the hand of
the LORD has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it." Do you see what he is saying? God will
keep his promises. He has not abandoned his people. God knows what they need. He will help them. He
4
Exodus 17:1-3
does care! The God of Israel the Holy One of Israel is committed to and involved in the affairs of his
people. This verse is the answer to the question that God summoned all the nations to hear and to answer
in the first four verses of the chapter.
III. The LORD claims that He alone is able to foretell the future. (21-29)
In this concluding section the LORD -Jacob's King challenges the nations to another question. In
the first section of this chapter (v.1-7) God challenged the nations with a question that he himself
answered. In this closing section God challenges the nations and their gods in particular to foretell what
will happen (vs. 22). In the first two verses that begin this closing section, God challenges them to make
a case and set forth their arguments. The arguments while not explicitly identified seem to be arguments
or a case concerning "what is going to happen." God case as outlined in verse 23 seems to be that the
LORD asserts the one who is able to declare or announce what is going to happen-i.e. the things to comeis God. This can be seen by the statement that is made by God to the gods of the nations. "Declare to us the
things to come so that we may know that you are gods." This is followed by the statement "Do something
good or bad. The context suggests this should be interpreted as tell us what is going to happen whether
good or bad. This is the criteria that the LORD establishes as a test. If their gods do declare what is to
come... then the LORD himself argues then "we (those who hear the prediction) will be dismayed
(troubled) and filled with fear or awe. Why? Only the real God who controls history can predict the
future. But since they cannot do this the conclusion is their deeds (predicting the future) are worthless.
The gods themselves are worthless too. And those who choose to serve these so called gods are
detestable. (vs. 24)
The LORD's case. The LORD claims to be different from these gods who cannot tell the future. The
LORD claims that he can and does announce to his people what he is going to do. ( vs. 25-27). Once again I
think that verse 25 is speaking of Cyrus whom the LORD claims to be raising this conqueror who comes
from the east (from the rising sun) as well as the north. These verses emphatically declare that He is the
one who announced it beforehand. No one else did. He did so that we could know and say that the LORD
God said so? More importantly, when these events happen, people will say that “He was right!” The
unstated conclusion should be drawn from this section is that the LORD alone is God, since he alone has
the capacity to tell us what is going to happen.