Tyndale Open Study NotesIsaiah 44

The promise of salvation gave Israel a future. Even though the people had sinned, God would still use them to bless the next generation (Isaiah 44:3).

The past had been dark because of their sin (see Isaiah 43:22–28). But the future would be different. God would begin a new time of blessing. His Spirit would change the people and make this new beginning possible.

• The restoration theme is connected with God’s promise to pour out the Spirit (see also Isaiah 32:15–17; Joel 2:28–32; Acts 2:16–18).

• on your descendants … your offspring: The next generation of Israelites offered hope.

This passage uses the form of a trial speech to press God’s argument that disgrace comes to all who trust in idols and false gods.

He takes some of it to warm himself … He also fashions it into a god and worships it: This description of making an idol is full of sarcasm and mocks the foolishness of idol worshipers (see also Isaiah 44:19).

closed their minds: Idol worshipers do not see the irony in using one part of a log for warmth and another part as their god.

The Lord promised to forgive the sins of Israel.

All creation is called to celebrate God’s redemption of Israel (compare Isaiah 1:2).

The Lord alone is sovereign over history. He raised up Cyrus of Persia to execute judgment on Babylon and restore Israel to the Holy Land.

False prophets and diviners used forbidden methods to predict the future. Eventually, God would reveal them as liars who believed something that is not true (see Isaiah 3:2; 9:15; 47:13; Deuteronomy 18:10–11).

The sudden loss of natural resources sometimes shows divine judgment (see Isaiah 42:15; compare 43:20). Here, however, God's ability to dry up streams with only a word shows his power to fulfill his promises through Cyrus of Persia.

My shepherd: Cyrus did more than just allow the Jews to return home. He led a major project to rebuild Jerusalem and restore the temple (see Isaiah 45:13; Ezra 1:2–4; 6:3–5).