Isaiah 44:7

KJV

And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And who, as I, shall call {H7121}, and shall declare {H5046} it, and set it in order {H6186} for me, since I appointed {H7760} the ancient {H5769} people {H5971}? and the things that are coming {H857}, and shall come {H935}, let them shew {H5046} unto them.

Complete Jewish Bible

Who is like me? Let him speak out! Let him show me clearly what has been happening since I set up the eternal people; let him foretell future signs and events.

Berean Standard Bible

Who then is like Me? Let him say so! Let him declare his case before Me, since I established an ancient people. Let him foretell the things to come, and what is to take place.

American Standard Version

And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I established the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and that shall come to pass, let them declare.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 44:7 presents a profound divine challenge, where the Lord God uniquely asserts His incomparable sovereignty, omniscient foreknowledge, and absolute control over all of history. Through a rhetorical question, God invites any rival deity or human to demonstrate the ability to call forth, declare, and meticulously arrange future events from ancient times, thereby contrasting His singular power and faithfulness with the impotence and silence of idols. This declaration serves as a powerful reassurance to Israel, His "ancient people," affirming His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises and His ultimate orchestration of their destiny and the world's.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 44:7 is embedded within the "Book of Comfort" (Isaiah 40-55), a section primarily addressed to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. Chapters 40-48 specifically focus on God's incomparable nature, His role as the sole Creator and Redeemer, and a sustained polemic against idolatry. This verse immediately follows God's declaration of Himself as the first and the last, the only God, and His challenge to idols to prove their existence or power by foretelling the future (e.g., [Isaiah 44:6](/isaiah/44-6 "Isaiah 44:6 - God, the First and the Last")). The surrounding verses, such as [Isaiah 44:8](/isaiah/44-8 "Isaiah 44:8 - God's Witness") and [Isaiah 44:9-20](/isaiah/44-9-20 "The Folly of Idol Worship"), further elaborate on the foolishness of idol worship, emphasizing that only the Lord can truly save and reveal what is to come. The verse, therefore, functions as a direct, unanswerable challenge to all false gods and their adherents, solidifying God's unique claim to divinity and His exclusive right to worship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Isaiah 44 is the Babylonian exile (586-538 BCE), a period of immense national trauma and spiritual crisis for the people of Israel. Uprooted from their homeland and temple, they were exposed to the polytheistic culture of Babylon, with its magnificent temples and powerful deities like Marduk. The temptation to assimilate and worship these seemingly potent gods was strong, especially given their own perceived abandonment by their God. Isaiah's prophecies, delivered through the prophet, served to counter this temptation by unequivocally declaring the Lord's absolute supremacy over all other gods and empires. The reference to "ancient people" (Israel) harks back to God's foundational covenant with Abraham (e.g., [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "The Call of Abraham")) and the establishment of Israel as His chosen nation, reminding them of their unique history and relationship with the one true God, who has always guided their path and will continue to do so.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Isaiah. Foremost is **Divine Uniqueness and Incomparability**, as God challenges anyone to match His power and knowledge, particularly His ability to declare future events (e.g., [Isaiah 40:25](/isaiah/40-25 "God's Incomparability")). This directly relates to the theme of **Foreknowledge and Prophecy**, where God's capacity to predict and bring to pass "the things that are coming, and shall come" is presented as irrefutable proof of His divinity, in stark contrast to the mute and powerless idols (e.g., [Isaiah 41:21-24](/isaiah/41-21-24 "God Challenges Idols to Predict the Future")). The phrase "set it in order for me" highlights God's absolute **Sovereignty and Orchestration of History**, demonstrating that He not only foresees but actively directs all events according to His divine purpose. Finally, the mention of "since I appointed the ancient people" underscores God's **Covenant Faithfulness and Special Relationship with Israel**, reminding them that their history and destiny are divinely ordained and secured by His unchanging promises (e.g., [Isaiah 43:1-7](/isaiah/43-1-7 "God's Redemption of Israel")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **call (Hebrew, _qârâʼ'_):** H7121, a primitive root meaning to call out to, address by name, summon, proclaim, or invite. In this context, it signifies God's authoritative utterance that brings something into being or declares His sovereign decrees, implying an act of summoning events into existence rather than merely predicting them.
* **declare (Hebrew, _nâgad'_):** H5046, a primitive root meaning to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication, to manifest, announce, or make known. Here, it refers to God's unique ability to explicitly reveal future events, often in detail, long before they occur, emphasizing a clear, public, and undeniable proclamation of what is to come.
* **set it in order (Hebrew, _ʻârak'_):** H6186, a primitive root meaning to set in a row, i.e., arrange, or put in order. This word highlights God's meticulous, purposeful, and active arrangement of historical events. It conveys that God not only foresees but also orchestrates and controls the sequence and outcome of all things according to His divine plan.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me":** This opening phrase is a profound rhetorical question, implying that no one—no idol, no human ruler, no other power—possesses the unique attributes of the Lord God. The triple action ("call," "declare," "set in order") underscores God's singular ability to initiate, reveal, and meticulously arrange events. The phrase "for me" emphasizes that this divine orchestration serves His own purposes and glory, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over all creation and history.
* **"since I appointed the ancient people?":** This clause provides the historical grounding for God's claim, serving as irrefutable evidence of His foreknowledge and control. It reminds Israel of their unique origin and destiny, tracing God's active involvement in their history from the very beginning. God's appointment of Israel as His chosen people long ago serves as a testament to His continuous guidance over their entire trajectory, from their inception to their current state of exile and future restoration.
* **"and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them.":** This is God's direct challenge to any rival. If there is another god or power, let them demonstrate their divinity by accurately predicting and bringing to pass future events, both those immediately "coming" and those more distant ("shall come"). This serves as the ultimate test of true deity, a test that only the Lord can pass, further highlighting the futility and silence of idols.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 44:7 is rich in literary devices that amplify its theological message. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question** ("And who, as I...?"), which serves not to elicit an answer, but to powerfully assert God's unparalleled uniqueness and the impossibility of any rival. This question establishes a direct **Challenge** to other gods, demanding they prove their existence and power by demonstrating foreknowledge, a capability exclusively held by the Lord. There is a strong element of **Contrast** woven throughout the passage, implicitly pitting the active, speaking, and ordering God against the mute, passive, and impotent idols. The phrase "the things that are coming, and shall come" employs **Merism**, a figure of speech where two contrasting parts represent the whole, signifying all future events, both near and far. Finally, the verse exhibits **Divine Self-Attestation**, where God Himself declares His own attributes and power, reinforcing His authority and truthfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 44:7 is a cornerstone passage for understanding God's unique attributes as revealed in the Old Testament. It establishes His absolute sovereignty, His omniscience (specifically His foreknowledge), and His active control over the unfolding of history. This verse is not merely a statement about God's power but a crucial theological polemic against all forms of idolatry, whether the physical idols of Babylon or the functional idols of our own hearts. It asserts that true worship belongs only to the One who can declare the future and bring it to pass, the God who has meticulously "set in order" the entire cosmic and human drama from eternity past to eternity future. His appointment of "the ancient people" (Israel) serves as a historical testament to His enduring faithfulness and the reliability of His prophetic word, providing a firm foundation for trust in His ongoing plan for redemption.

* [Isaiah 41:21-23](/isaiah/41-21-23 "God Challenges Idols to Predict the Future")
* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalm/33-10-11 "God's Counsel Stands Forever")
* [Acts 15:18](/acts/15-18 "God's Works Known from Eternity")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world characterized by uncertainty, rapid change, and often overwhelming chaos, Isaiah 44:7 offers a profound anchor for the soul. This verse reminds us that our God is not surprised by global events, personal crises, or the shifting tides of culture. He is the one who "calls," "declares," and "sets in order" all things, not merely observing history but actively orchestrating it according to His perfect and eternal plan. This truth invites us to a deeper level of trust, recognizing that even when circumstances seem beyond our control or understanding, they are never beyond His. It calls us to abandon any "idols" in our lives—whether they be wealth, power, human approval, or self-reliance—that promise security but ultimately deliver nothing. Instead, we are invited to worship and rely solely on the God who knows the end from the beginning, whose promises are unfailing, and whose sovereign hand guides all things for His glory and our good. This truth should inspire both humble submission and bold confidence in our daily walk, knowing that our future is secured by the omniscient and omnipotent God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's unique ability to "call, declare, and set in order" future events impact your trust in Him amidst personal uncertainties?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to place your trust in "idols" (things other than God) that promise control or security, and how does Isaiah 44:7 challenge those false hopes?**
* **Considering God's faithfulness to "the ancient people," how does this verse encourage you about God's faithfulness to His promises for your life and the Church today?**

### FAQ
**What is the main point of Isaiah 44:7?**

Answer: The main point of Isaiah 44:7 is to unequivocally assert the Lord God's unique and incomparable nature as the only true God. He demonstrates this by challenging any other supposed deity or power to match His ability to foreknow, declare, and meticulously orchestrate all future events from ancient times, contrasting His active sovereignty with the utter powerlessness and silence of idols. It's a declaration of His absolute control over history and prophecy.

**How does this verse relate to idolatry?**

Answer: This verse is a central part of Isaiah's strong polemic against idolatry. By challenging any other "god" to predict and control the future, God highlights the fundamental difference between Himself and the manufactured idols of other nations. Idols are mute, blind, and powerless; they cannot declare what is to come, nor can they bring anything to pass (compare [Isaiah 41:23-24](/isaiah/41-23-24 "Idols are Nothing")). Only the Lord possesses true foreknowledge and sovereign power, thereby proving Himself to be the one and only God worthy of worship.

**Who are "the ancient people" mentioned in the verse?**

Answer: "The ancient people" refers to Israel. This phrase emphasizes God's long-standing, covenantal relationship with them, dating back to their very origins as a nation, particularly through the call of Abraham (e.g., [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "God's Covenant with Abraham")). By reminding them that He "appointed" them from antiquity, God underscores His continuous, sovereign guidance over their history, providing comfort and assurance to the exiles that His plans for them are deeply rooted and will be fulfilled.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 44:7, with its emphasis on God's unique foreknowledge and His sovereign orchestration of history, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "things that are coming, and shall come" are precisely those redemptive purposes of God that culminate in Christ. From the earliest prophecies of a coming Redeemer (e.g., [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "The Protoevangelium")) to the detailed predictions of His birth, life, death, and resurrection, God "declared" and "set in order" every aspect of salvation history. Jesus Himself is the living embodiment of God's declared plan, the "Word made flesh" (e.g., [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh")), through whom all things were created and in whom all things hold together (e.g., [Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Christ's Supremacy")). His first coming was the precise fulfillment of countless prophecies, demonstrating God's perfect foreknowledge and ability to "call" and "set in order" His redemptive agenda. Furthermore, Christ's future return and the establishment of His eternal kingdom represent the final "things that are coming, and shall come," proving that God's sovereign plan, declared from ancient times, is meticulously unfolding towards its glorious, Christ-centered conclusion (e.g., [Revelation 21:1-7](/revelation/21-1-7 "The New Heaven and New Earth")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 41:26

Who hath declared from the beginning, that we may know? and beforetime, that we may say, [He is] righteous? yea, [there is] none that sheweth, yea, [there is] none that declareth, yea, [there is] none that heareth your words.

Isaiah 41:22

Let them bring [them] forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they [be], that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come.

Isaiah 46:9

Remember the former things of old: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else; [I am] God, and [there is] none like me,

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:

Isaiah 45:21

Tell ye, and bring [them] near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? [who] hath told it from that time? [have] not I the LORD? and [there is] no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; [there is] none beside me.

Genesis 17:7

¶ And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

Genesis 17:8

And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.