Isa 41:22, 43:9, 44:7 | JFB | e4.org | 22. what shall happen —"Let them bring near and declare future contingencies " [HORSLEY ]. former things . . . the latter end of them —show what former predictions the idols have given, that we may compare the event ("latter end") with them; or give new prophecies ("declare things to come") ( ), [MAURER ]. BARNES explains it more reconditely, "Let them foretell the entire series of events, showing, in their order, the things which shall first occur, as well as those which shall finally happen"; the false prophets tried to predict isolated events, having no mutual dependency; not a long series of events mutually and orderly connected, and stretching far into futurity. They did not even try to do this. None but God can do it ( ). "Or . . . things to come" will, in this view, mean, Let them, if they cannot predict the series, even predict plainly any detached events.

‏ Isaiah 41:22

22. what shall happen—"Let them bring near and declare future contingencies" [HORSLEY].

former things . . . the latter end of them—show what former predictions the idols have given, that we may compare the event ("latter end") with them; or give new prophecies ("declare things to come") (Isa 42:9), [MAURER]. BARNES explains it more reconditely, "Let them foretell the entire series of events, showing, in their order, the things which shall first occur, as well as those which shall finally happen"; the false prophets tried to predict isolated events, having no mutual dependency; not a long series of events mutually and orderly connected, and stretching far into futurity. They did not even try to do this. None but God can do it (Isa 46:10; 44:7, 8). "Or . . . things to come" will, in this view, mean, Let them, if they cannot predict the series, even predict plainly any detached events.

‏ Isaiah 43:9

9. who . . . can declare this—who among the idolatrous soothsayers hath predicted this; that is, as to Cyrus being the deliverer of Israel?

former—predictions, as in Isa 42:9 [MAURER]. Or, things that shall first come to pass (see on Isa 41:21, 22) [BARNES].

let them bring forth their witnesses—as I do mine (Isa 43:10).

justified—declared veracious in their pretended prophecies.

or—rather, "and"; let men hear their prediction and say, from the event, It is verified (see on Isa 41:26).

‏ Isaiah 44:7

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).