Isa 41:8-28 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Isa 41:8-16: 41:8-16 These two prophecies of salvation for God’s servant Israel (41:8-13 , 14-16 ) prepare for the first of the suffering servant songs (see study note on 42:1-4). 41:8 The servant—here the nation of Israel—was God’s chosen one , whose calling was grounded in God’s purposes. • Abraham my friend: The phrase in Hebrew could mean Abraham who loves me or Abraham whom I love. See also Jas 2:23 .

Summary for Isa 41:8-16: 41:8-16 ^a These two prophecies of salvation for God’s servant Israel (41:8-13 ^b, 14-16 ^c) prepare for the first of the suffering servant songs (see study note on 42:1-4). 41:8 ^d The servant—here the nation of Israel—was God’s chosen one, whose calling was grounded in God’s purposes.

• Abraham my friend: The phrase in Hebrew could mean Abraham who loves me or Abraham whom I love. See also Jas 2:23 ^e.
41:9 ^f I have chosen you restates 41:8 ^g to emphasize God’s commitment and faithfulness to his people Israel, who had not been faithful to him.

• not throw you away: Because of the Exile, the people felt that God had rejected them (see 49:21 ^h; 54:6 ⁱ). However, God had good purposes for them.
41:10 ^j I am with you: The promise of God’s presence (see 7:14 ^k) is central to the Bible. Because God is present, his people do not need to fear (see also 43:1-2 ^l, 5 ^m).

• I am your God: The Lord used the language of the covenant to affirm that he is their God and that they are his people (see also Jer 7:23 ⁿ; 31:1 ^o, 33 ^p; Ezek 14:11 ^q; 36:28 ^r; 37:27 ^s; Zech 8:8 ^t).

• hold you ... my victorious right hand: The Lord used language reminiscent of the Exodus (cp. Exod 15:6 ^u) to encourage Israel (see also Isa 41:13 ^v; 63:12 ^w).
41:14 ^x In exile, Israel was in a lowly state.

• God is the Redeemer. He works mightily to rescue and restore people from sin and its consequences (for Israel, the Exile; for application to Jesus, see Luke 2:38 ^y; 21:28 ^z; Rom 3:24 ^aa; 1 Cor 1:30 ^ab; Gal 4:5 ^ac; Eph 1:1-14 ^ad; Titus 2:14 ^ae; Heb 9:12 ^af).
41:16 ^ag When the grain is thrown into the wind, the chaff is blown away. Likewise, Israel’s enemies appeared to be strong but would easily be driven off.
41:18 ^ah rivers ... fountains ... pools of water ... springs: These images would strike a responsive chord in an agrarian culture. They also suggest that rescue from the Exile would be a second exodus (cp. Exod 15:27 ^ai; 17:6 ^aj).
Summary for Isa 41:21-29: 41:21-29 ^ak This trial scene develops the Lord’s case against idolatry. Idols are nothing but a human creation, whereas God is the Creator of all things. Idols cannot speak, act, accomplish anything, or save their worshipers. 41:21 ^al the King of Israel: See 6:5 ^am; 43:15 ^an; 44:6 ^ao.
41:25 ^ap I have stirred up a leader: The God who had planned the Exile through Babylon had already planned for Israel’s restoration from exile through Cyrus (see 41:2 ^aq; see also 13:17 ^ar).

• Although Persia is located to the east, rough terrain required those traveling to Israel and Judah to enter from the north.

• I will give him victory ... He will trample them: As Babylon was sent to trample Assyria, so Persia would trample Babylon.
41:26 ^as Idols and false gods could not predict the future.
41:27 ^at The messenger with good news told of God’s coming to rescue his people (see 40:9 ^au).