45:1 Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to a Cyrus, whose
b right hand I have held, to c subdue nations before
him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before
him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
(a) To assure the Jews of their deliverance against the
great temptations that they would abide, he names the
person and the means.
(b) Because Cyrus would execute the office of a deliverer,
God called him his anointed for a time, but after
another sort than he called David.
(c) To guide him in the deliverance of my people.
45:2 I will go before thee, and make the d crooked places
straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and
cut asunder the bars of iron:
(d) I will take away all impediments and hindrances.
45:3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden
riches of secret places, that thou mayest e know that I,
the LORD, who call [thee] by thy name, [am] the God of
Israel.
(e) Not that Cyrus knew God to worship him correctly, but
he had a certain particular knowledge as profane men
may have of his power, and so was compelled to deliver
God's people.
45:4 For Jacob my servant's f sake, and Israel my elect, I
have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee,
though thou hast not known me.
(f) Not for anything that is in you, or for your
worthiness.
45:5 I [am] the LORD, and [there is] none else, [there is] no
God besides me: I g girded thee, though thou hast not
known me:
(g) I have given you strength, power and authority.
45:7 I form the h light, and create darkness: I make peace,
and create evil: I the LORD do all these [things].
(h) I send peace and war, prosperity and adversity, as in
(Am 3:6).
45:8 Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour
down i righteousness: let the earth open, and let them
bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up
together; I the LORD have k created it.
(i) He comforts the Jews as if he would say, "Though when
you look to the heavens and earth for comfort you see
nothing now but signs of God's wrath, yet will cause
them to bring forth certain tokens of your deliverance,
and of the performance of my promise": which is meant
by righteousness.
(k) I have appointed Cyrus to this use and purpose.
45:9l Woe to him that contendeth with his Maker! [Let] the
potsherd [contend] with the potsherds of the earth. Shall
the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou?
or thy work, m He hath no hands?
(l) By this he bridles their impatience, who in adversity
and trouble murmur against God, and will not tarry his
pleasure: willing that man would match with his like,
and not contend against God.
(m) That is, it is not perfectly made.
45:11 Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his
Maker, Ask me n of things to come concerning my sons,
and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.
(n) Instead of murmuring, humble yourselves and ask what
you will for the consolation of my children, and you
will be sure of it as you are of these things which
are at your command. Some read it with an
interrogation, and make it the application of the
comparison.
45:12 I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, [even]
my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their
o host have I commanded.
(o) That is, the stars.
45:13 I have raised p him up in righteousness, and I will
direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall
let go my captives, not for q price nor reward, saith
the LORD of hosts.
(p) That is, Cyrus, that I may show by him the
faithfulness of my promise in delivering my people.
(q) Meaning, freely and without ransom, or any grievous
condition.
45:14 Thus saith the LORD, The labour r of Egypt, and
merchandise of Cush and of the Sabeans, men of stature,
shall come over to thee, and they shall be s thine: they
shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, and
they shall fall down to thee, they shall make supplication
to thee, [saying], Surely God [is] in thee; and [there is]
none else, [there is] no God.
(r) These people were tributaries to the Persians, and so
king Artahshashte gave this money toward the building
of the temple, (Ezr 7:27).
(s) While they were your enemies, they will now honour you
and you will rule them: which was accomplished in the
time of Christ.
45:15 Verily thou [art] a God that t hidest thyself, O God of
Israel, the Saviour.
(t) By this he exhorts the Jews to patience, though their
deliverance is deferred for a time: showing that they
would not repent their long patience, but the wicked
and idolaters will be destroyed.
45:18 For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God
himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath
established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to
be u inhabited: I [am] the LORD; and [there is] none
else.
(u) That is, of men, but chiefly of his Church.
45:19 I have not spoken in secret, x in a dark place of the
earth: I have not said to the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in
vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things
that are right.
(x) As do the false gods, who give uncertain answers.
45:20 Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, y ye
[that have] escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge
that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray to a
god [that] cannot save.
(y) All you idolaters who though you seem to have worldly
dignity yet in God's sight you are vile and abject.
45:22 Look to me, and be ye saved, all z the ends of the
earth: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else.
(z) He calls the idolaters to repentance, willing them to
look on him with the eye of faith.
45:23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth
[in] a righteousness, and shall not return, That to me
every b knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
(a) That is, that the thing which I have promise will be
faithfully performed.
(b) The knowledge of God and the true worshipping will be
through all the world, (Rom 14:11, Phil 2:10) by
which he signifies that we must not only serve God in
heart, but declare the same also by outward
profession.
45:24 Surely, c shall [one] say, in the LORD have I
righteousness and strength: [even] to him shall [men]
come; and all that are d incensed against him shall be
ashamed.
(c) Meaning the faithful will feel and confess this.
(d) All the contemners of God.
