Isaiah 41:25

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.

I have raised up {H5782} one from the north {H6828}, and he shall come {H857}: from the rising {H4217} of the sun {H8121} shall he call {H7121} upon my name {H8034}: and he shall come {H935} upon princes {H5461} as upon morter {H2563}, and as the potter {H3335} treadeth {H7429} clay {H2916}.

"I roused someone from the north, and he has come from the rising sun; he will call on my name. He will trample on rulers as if they were mud, like a potter treading clay."

I have raised up one from the north, and he has come— one from the east who calls on My name. He will march over rulers as if they were mortar, like a potter who treads the clay.

I have raised up one from the north, and he is come; from the rising of the sun one that calleth upon my name: and he shall come upon rulers as upon mortar, and as the potter treadeth clay.

Isaiah 41:25 is a powerful declaration of God's sovereign control over world events and leaders, even those who do not explicitly acknowledge Him. This verse is part of a larger section in Isaiah where God challenges the idols of the nations, demonstrating His unique power to foretell and accomplish His plans.

Context

This prophecy is delivered during a time when Judah faced significant threats, particularly from Babylon. God is asserting His unparalleled power and foreknowledge against the impotence of pagan gods. He promises to raise up a deliverer who will subdue nations and bring about His purposes. While not named directly in this specific verse, the "one from the north" and "from the rising of the sun" is widely understood to be Cyrus the Great, the Persian king who conquered Babylon and later issued a decree allowing the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem (Ezra 1:2). This prophecy precedes Cyrus's birth by over a century, highlighting God's omniscience and control over history.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Foreknowledge: The verse emphasizes that God is the one who "raised up" this conqueror. He orchestrates geopolitical shifts and raises leaders according to His divine will, demonstrating His absolute control over human history and future events. This theme is central to understanding God's power over nations, as seen in Daniel 2:21.
  • God's Instrument of Justice: Cyrus, though a pagan king, was God's chosen instrument to execute judgment on Babylon and facilitate the return of Israel from exile. He would "come upon princes as upon morter, and as the potter treadeth clay," signifying a complete and decisive victory over opposing rulers and empires. This imagery underscores the overwhelming power granted to God's chosen agent.
  • Prophecy of Deliverance: For the exiled Israelites, this verse offered hope. It assured them that God had a plan for their restoration, even if it involved a foreign king. The phrase "shall he call upon my name" indicates that this powerful figure would, perhaps unknowingly or through his actions, fulfill God's purposes and acknowledge His supremacy, even if not converting to monotheism. Isaiah 45:1-4 further elaborates on God's specific calling of Cyrus.

Linguistic Insights

The imagery of "he shall come upon princes as upon morter, and as the potter treadeth clay" is vivid and powerful. "Morter" (or mortar) refers to the material used in building, which is thoroughly mixed and compacted underfoot. "Treading clay" is a process where a potter prepares clay by kneading and trampling it to remove air bubbles and achieve consistency, making it pliable for shaping. Both metaphors convey overwhelming conquest, complete subjugation, and the utter helplessness of the conquered rulers before the divinely empowered force. It speaks to the ease and thoroughness with which God's chosen instrument would dismantle opposition.

Practical Application

Isaiah 41:25 offers profound comfort and challenge for believers today. It reminds us that God remains sovereign over all global events, political powers, and human leaders. Even in times of uncertainty or apparent chaos, God is working out His purposes. We can trust that He is in control and that His plans will ultimately prevail, just as He raised up Cyrus to fulfill His will. This verse encourages us to look beyond immediate circumstances and recognize God's hand in history, knowing that He can use anyone, anywhere, to accomplish His divine agenda, ultimately for the good of His people and the glory of His name. It reinforces the truth that no human power can thwart God's ultimate plan of working all things for good.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

  • 2 Samuel 22:43

    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.

  • Isaiah 10:6

    I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

  • Zechariah 10:5

    ¶ And they shall be as mighty [men], which tread down [their enemies] in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the LORD [is] with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded.

  • Isaiah 44:28

    That saith of Cyrus, [He is] my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.

  • Isaiah 45:6

    That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that [there is] none beside me. I [am] the LORD, and [there is] none else.

  • Isaiah 46:10

    Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times [the things] that are not [yet] done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

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