Isa 44:7-8, 46:10 | JFB | STEP | 7. Who but God can predict future events and declare also the order and time of each (see on ; )? call —"openly proclaim" ( ) things to come [MAURER ]. Or, "call forth" the event; command that it happen ( ), [BARNES ]. set . . . in order —There is no chance or confusion; all events occur in the order best fitted to subserve God's plans. for me —It is FOR GOD that all things exist and take place ( ). But MAURER translates, "Let him set it forth ( ) to me. " since . . . ancient people —I have given the Jews predictions of the future ever since I appointed them as My people in ancient times; therefore they were qualified to be His witnesses ( ). As to their being God's "ancient (everlasting) people," see ; the type of the redeemed Church ( ).

Isaiah 44:7-8

7. Who but God can predict future events and declare also the order and time of each (see on Isa 41:22, 23; Isa 45:21)?

call—"openly proclaim" (Isa 40:6) things to come [MAURER]. Or, "call forth" the event; command that it happen (Isa 46:11; 48:15), [BARNES].

set . . . in order—There is no chance or confusion; all events occur in the order best fitted to subserve God's plans.

for me—It is FOR GOD that all things exist and take place (Re 4:11). But MAURER translates, "Let him set it forth (Job 37:19) to me."

since . . . ancient people—I have given the Jews predictions of the future ever since I appointed them as My people in ancient times; therefore they were qualified to be His witnesses (Isa 44:8). As to their being God's "ancient (everlasting) people," see De 32:7-9; Jer 31:3; the type of the redeemed Church (Eph 1:4).

8. be afraid—literally, "be astounded," or "distracted with fear."

from that time—namely, from the time that "I appointed the ancient people" (Isa 44:7). From the time of Abraham's call, his family were the depositories of the predictions of the Redeemer, whereas the promise of Cyrus was not heard of till Isaiah's time; therefore, the event to the prediction and accomplishment of which God appeals in proof of His sole Godhead, is the redemption of man by a descendant of Abraham, in whose person "the ancient people" was first formally "appointed." The deliverance of the Jews, by Cyrus, is mentioned afterwards only as an earnest of that greater mercy [HORSLEY].

no God—Hebrew, tsur, "rock" (De 32:4); that is, a stronghold to take refuge in, and a solid foundation to build on.

Isaiah 46:10

10. (Isa 45:21; 41:22, 23; 44:26).

yet—not in the Hebrew. Translate, "What had not been done" [HORSLEY].

do all my pleasure— (Isa 53:10; Ro 9:19).