Isaiah 46:11

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.

Calling {H7121} a ravenous bird {H5861} from the east {H4217}, the man {H376} that executeth my counsel {H6098} from a far {H4801} country {H776}: yea, I have spoken {H1696} it, I will also bring {H935} it to pass; I have purposed {H3335} it, I will also do {H6213} it.

I call a bird of prey from the east, the man I intended, from a distant country. I have spoken and will bring it about; I have made a plan, and I will fulfill it.

I summon a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far-off land. Truly I have spoken, and truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, and I will surely do it.

calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country; yea, I have spoken, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed, I will also do it.

Isaiah 46:11 powerfully declares God's absolute sovereignty over history and nations, specifically foretelling the rise of a key figure who would execute His divine will. This verse serves as a profound affirmation of God's power to speak and bring to pass His purposes.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in Isaiah (chapters 40-48) where God contrasts His unique power and foreknowledge with the impotence of idols worshipped by other nations. The prophet Isaiah is addressing the people of Judah during their Babylonian exile, offering them hope and assurance of their future deliverance. God is demonstrating that He alone is the true God, able to declare the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10).

The "ravenous bird from the east" and "the man that executeth my counsel from a far country" is a clear prophetic reference to Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Persian Empire. Persia lay to the east of Babylon. Cyrus would swiftly conquer Babylon, acting as God's instrument, though he did not know the Lord, to allow the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple (Ezra 1:2-4).

Key Themes

  • God's Absolute Sovereignty: The verse emphasizes that God is in complete control of all events, even raising up pagan kings to fulfill His specific plans. He is not merely observing history; He is orchestrating it.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: God's ability to call Cyrus by name (prophetically in Isaiah 44:28, before Cyrus was even born) and then bring about his actions demonstrates the reliability and certainty of divine prophecy.
  • God's Unwavering Word: The repeated phrase, "I have spoken [it], I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed [it], I will also do it," underscores God's faithfulness and omnipotence. What He declares, He will undoubtedly accomplish. This provides immense comfort and assurance to His people.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "ravenous bird" (Hebrew: ‘ayit) literally means a "bird of prey" or "vulture." It is a vivid metaphor for Cyrus's swiftness, power, and decisive conquests, swooping down upon his targets, much like a bird of prey. The word for "counsel" (Hebrew: ‘etsah) signifies God's deliberate and unchangeable plan or purpose, highlighting that Cyrus's actions, though seemingly driven by his own ambitions, were ultimately aligned with God's pre-ordained will.

Practical Application

Isaiah 46:11 provides profound comfort and a strong foundation for faith. It reminds us that:

  • God is in Control: Even in chaotic or uncertain times, we can trust that God's ultimate plan is unfolding. He uses all things, even unexpected leaders or difficult circumstances, to achieve His purposes.
  • God's Promises are Sure: Just as God fulfilled His promise regarding Cyrus and the return from exile, so too will He fulfill all His promises to us. This passage powerfully affirms God's unwavering faithfulness to His spoken word.
  • Trust His Unfolding Plan: When events seem perplexing, remember that God's "counsel" will prevail (Proverbs 19:21). We are called to trust in His wisdom and timing, knowing that He will bring to pass everything He has purposed.
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.

  • Numbers 23:19

    God [is] not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do [it]? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

  • Isaiah 14:24

    ¶ The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, [so] shall it stand:

  • Isaiah 14:27

    For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul [it]? and his hand [is] stretched out, and who shall turn it back?

  • Job 23:13

    ¶ But he [is] in one [mind], and who can turn him? and [what] his soul desireth, even [that] he doeth.

  • 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.

  • Acts 5:39

    But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

  • Ephesians 1:11

    In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
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