Isaiah 45:21

“Tell ye, and bring them near, and let them take counsel together, &c.] Tell them what I say of their ignorance and stupidity; and gather them all together, their gods, their makers, and their worshippers, and let them lay their heads together, and consult what proof they are able to give of their divinities, particularly by foretelling things to come: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? that is, who of all their gods or priests have ever declared this or anyone thing at any distance of time before it came to pass? either this everlasting salvation of my people, or the redemption by Cyrus, which was a type of it, and was spoken of beforehand? have ever…”

“Challenge the worshippers of idols (Isa 41:1). take counsel together--as to the best arguments wherewith to defend the cause of idolatry. who . . . from that time-- (Isa 41:22-23; see on Isa 44:8). Which of the idols has done what God hath, namely, foretold, primarily as to Cyrus; ultimately as to the final restoration of Israel hereafter? The idolatry of Israel before Cyrus' time will have its counterpart in the Antichrist and the apostasy, which shall precede Christ's manifestation. just . . . and . . . Saviour--righteous in keeping His promises, and therefore a Saviour to His people. Not only is it not inconsistent with, but it is the result of, His righteousness, or justice, that He…”

“Tell ye, and bring them near - That is, announce, and bring forward your strongest arguments (see the notes at Isaiah 41:1). Who hath declared this from ancient time? - Who has clearly announced the events respecting Cyrus, and the conquest of Babylon, and the deliverance from the captivity? The argument is an appeal to the fact that God had clearly foretold these events long before, and that therefore he was the true God. To this argument he often appeals in proof that he alone is God (see the note at Isaiah 41:22-23). And there is no God else beside me - (See Isaiah 45:5). A just God - A God whose attribute it is always to do right; whose word is true; whose promises are fulfilled; whose…”

“Take counsel - To maintain the cause of their idols. This - This great work, Babylon's destruction, and the redemption of God's people. Isaiah 45:23”

“Tell ye: Psa 26:7, Psa 71:17, Psa 71:18, Psa 96:10; Jer 50:2; Joe 3:9-12 and bring: Isa 41:1-4 who hath declared: Isa 41:22, Isa 41:23, Isa 43:9, Isa 44:7, Isa 44:8, Isa 46:9, Isa 46:10, Isa 48:3, Isa 48:14 and there is: Isa 45:5, Isa 45:14, Isa 45:18, Isa 44:8 a just: Isa 45:25, Isa 43:3, Isa 43:11, Isa 63:1; Jer 23:5, Jer 23:6; Zep 3:5, Zep 3:17; Zac 9:9; Rom 3:25, Rom 3:26; Tit 2:13, Tit 2:14 Isaiah 45:22”