Isaiah 41:2

Who raised up the righteous [man] from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made [him] rule over kings? he gave [them] as the dust to his sword, [and] as driven stubble to his bow.

Who raised up {H5782} the righteous {H6664} man from the east {H4217}, called {H7121} him to his foot {H7272}, gave {H5414} the nations {H1471} before {H6440} him, and made him rule {H7287} over kings {H4428}? he gave {H5414} them as the dust {H6083} to his sword {H2719}, and as driven {H5086} stubble {H7179} to his bow {H7198}.

Who has raised from the east one who is just and called him to be in his service? He hands nations over to him and subjects kings to him; his sword reduces them to dust, his bow to driven straw.

Who has aroused one from the east and called him to his feet in righteousness? He hands nations over to him and subdues kings before him. He turns them to dust with his sword, to windblown chaff with his bow.

Who hath raised up one from the east, whom he calleth in righteousness to his foot? he giveth nations before him, and maketh him rule over kings; he giveth them as the dust to his sword, as the driven stubble to his bow.

Commentary

Isaiah 41:2 introduces a powerful rhetorical question posed by God, highlighting His supreme authority and control over human history. This verse serves as a crucial part of God's argument to His people, Israel, that He alone is the true God, capable of delivering them and fulfilling His promises amidst the challenges they face.

Context

This passage falls within the "Book of Comfort" (Isaiah 40-66), primarily written to encourage the Jewish exiles in Babylon or to prepare future generations for this period of captivity. God is directly challenging the idols and false gods worshipped by other nations, demonstrating His unique power and foresight. The "righteous man from the east" is widely understood by scholars to refer to Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Persian Empire. God prophesies his rise and conquests over a century before Cyrus was born, specifically mentioning his role in allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem (as seen in Ezra 1:1-4). This verse emphasizes God's ability to raise up and use any individual, regardless of their own faith, to accomplish His divine will.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty: The fundamental message is God's absolute control over all nations and human affairs. He is the one who "raised up" leaders and orchestrates global events according to His divine purpose. This provides immense comfort and assurance to Israel in their time of uncertainty and fear of the surrounding empires.
  • God's Chosen Instrument: Even a pagan king like Cyrus becomes an unwitting servant in God's hands. God "called him to his foot," signifying immediate obedience and complete submission to God's unseen will, regardless of Cyrus's personal beliefs or awareness of God.
  • Effortless Conquest: The vivid imagery of enemies being "as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow" emphasizes the overwhelming and seemingly effortless victories granted to this divinely appointed leader. It illustrates that when God empowers, opposition crumbles easily and swiftly.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated as "righteous man" here is tzaddiq. While Cyrus was not righteous in a moral or covenantal sense from an Israelite perspective, God declares him 'righteous' because he is the instrument through whom God will execute His righteous plan and deliver His people from Babylonian captivity. The metaphors of "dust" and "stubble" powerfully convey the utter insignificance and vulnerability of opposing forces against God's chosen instrument, highlighting a swift and decisive victory that required no great effort from the conqueror, but rather flowed from divine empowerment.

Practical Application

Isaiah 41:2 offers profound comfort and a call to trust in God's unchanging character. In a world that often feels chaotic and out of control, this verse reminds us that God remains sovereign over all nations and leaders. He orchestrates events, even using unexpected people and circumstances, to fulfill His ultimate plan. We can find peace knowing that God's purposes will prevail, and He is always working for the good of those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). This should encourage us to trust His providence, even when we don't understand the immediate circumstances or how seemingly unrelated events fit into His grand design.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 45:1 (7 votes)

    ¶ Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to 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;

  • 2 Samuel 22:43 (6 votes)

    Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, [and] did spread them abroad.

  • Ezra 1:2 (5 votes)

    Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which [is] in Judah.

  • Isaiah 46:11 (5 votes)

    Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken [it], I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed [it], I will also do it.

  • Isaiah 40:24 (5 votes)

    Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble.

  • Isaiah 41:25 (5 votes)

    I have raised up [one] from the north, and he shall come: from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name: and he shall come upon princes as [upon] morter, and as the potter treadeth clay.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:23 (3 votes)

    Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which [is] in Judah. Who [is there] among you of all his people? The LORD his God [be] with him, and let him go up.