Isaiah 45:14

“Thus saith the Lord, &c.] The following words are said not to Cyrus, nor to Christ, but to the church, as the feminine pronouns show; and Kimchi observes, they are directed to Jerusalem: the labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia, and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee; a prophecy of the conversion of many in these nations, who should join themselves to the churches of Christ, formed among them, and make use of their riches, got by merchandise, labour, and industry, for the support of the interest of religion; and had its accomplishment in part, in the first times of the Gospel, which was brought into Egypt, as it is said, by the Evangelist Mark; and by which, no…”

“The language but cursorily alludes to Egypt, Ethiopia, and Seba, being given to Cyrus as a ransom in lieu of Israel whom he restored (Isa 43:3), but mainly and fully describes the gathering in of the Gentiles to Israel (Act 2:10-11; Act 8:27-38), especially at Israel's future restoration (Isa 2:2; Isa 14:1-2; Isa 19:18-22; Isa 60:3-14; Isa 49:23; Psa 68:31; Psa 72:10-11). labour--wealth acquired by labor (Jer 3:24). Sabeans . . . of stature--the men of Meroe, in Upper Egypt. HERODOTUS (3.30) calls the Ethiopians "the tallest of men" (see on Isa 18:2; Ch1 11:23). thee--Jerusalem ("my city," Isa 45:13). in chains-- (Psa 149:8). "The saints shall judge the world" (Co1 6:2) and "rule the nations…”

“Thus saith the Lord - This verse is designed to denote the favors which in subsequent times would be conferred on Jerusalem, the city which Isaiah 45:13 was to be rebuilt. It bas reference, according to Lowth, to the conversion of the Gentiles, and their admission into the church of God. Grotius, however, understands it as addressed to Cyrus, and as meaning that, because he had released the Jews without reward, therefore God would give him the wealth of Egypt, Ethiopia, Sabaea, and that those nations should be subject to him. But in this opinion probably he stands alone, and the objections to it are so obvious that they need not be specified. Some of the Jewish interpreters suppose that it…”

“The labour - The wealth gotten by their labour. Thee - Jerusalem shall not only be rebuilt, but the wealth and glory of other countries shall be brought to it again. This was in part verified in Jerusalem; but it was much more fully accomplished in the church of the gospel, in the accession of the Gentiles to that church which began in Jerusalem, and from thence spread itself into all the parts of the world. Come over - They shall be taken captive by thee, and willingly submit themselves to thee. Isaiah 45:15”

“45:14 Egyptians . . . Ethiopians . . . Sabeans: Israel’s restoration would bring them a new sovereignty. Foreign nations would honor God, and because they recognized God’s special blessing on his people, they would also want to honor his people.”

“The labour: Isa 18:7, Isa 19:23-25, Isa 23:18, Isa 49:23, Isa 60:5-16, Isa 61:5, Isa 61:6, Isa 66:19, Isa 66:20; Psa 68:30, Psa 68:31; Psa 72:10-15; Zac 8:22, Zac 8:23 the Sabeans: That the Sabeans were of a most majestic appearance is particularly remarked by Agatharchides, an ancient Greek historian quoted by Bochart. Job 1:15; Eze 23:42; Joe 3:8 men of stature: Isa 10:33; Num 13:32; Sa2 21:20; Eze 31:3 in chains: Isa 14:2, Isa 49:23; Psa 149:6, Psa 149:8 they shall fall: Isa 60:14, Isa 61:5, Isa 61:9; Exo 11:8; Est 8:17; Act 10:25, Act 10:26; Rev 3:9 Surely: Isa 45:24; Jer 16:19; Zac 8:20-23; Co1 8:4-6, Co1 14:25; Th1 1:9 and there: Isa 45:5, Isa 45:6, Isa 44:8 Isaiah 45:15”

“The second half is uttered in the prospect, that the judgment which Cyrus brings upon the nations will prepare the way for the overthrow of heathenism, and the universal acknowledgment of the God of Israel. The heathen submit, as the first strophe or group of vv. ( Isa 45:14-17) affirms, to the congregation and its God; the idolatrous are converted, whilst Israel is for ever redeemed. With the prospect of the release of the exiles, there is associated in the prophet's perspective the prospect of an expansion of the restored church, through the entrance of "the fulness of the Gentiles." "Thus saith Jehovah, The productions of Egypt, and gain of Ethiopia, and the Sabaeans, men of tall stature,…”