TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Isaiah 46:5–13. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
The deliverance of Israel by the destruction of Babylon (the general subject of all these chapters) is here insisted upon, and again promised, for the conviction both of idolaters who set up as rivals with God, and of oppressors who were enemies to the people of God.
I.For the conviction of those who made and worshipped idols, especially those of Israel who did so, who would have images of their God, as the Babylonians had of theirs,
1.He challenges them either to frame an image that should be thought a resemblance of him or to set up any being that should stand in competition with him (Isa 46:5): To whom will you liken me? It is absurd to think of representing an infinite and eternal Spirit by the figure of any creature whatsoever. It is to change his truth into a lie and to turn his glory into shame. None ever saw any similitude of him, nor can see his face and live. To whom then can we liken God? Isa 40:18, Isa 40:25. It is likewise absurd to think of making any creature equal with the Creator, who is infinitely above the noblest creatures, yea, or to make any comparison between the creature and the Creator, since between infinite and finite there is no proportion.
2.He exposes the folly of those who made idols and then prayed to them, Isa 46:6, Isa 46:7.
(1.)They were at great charge upon their idols and spared no cost to fit them for their purpose: They lavish gold out of the bag; no little will serve, and they do not care how much goes, though they pinch their families and weaken their estates by it. How does the profuseness of idolaters shame the niggardliness of many who call themselves God's servants but are for a religion that will cost them nothing! Some lavish gold out of the bag to make an idol of it in the house, while others hoard up gold in the bag to make an idol of it in the heart; for covetousness is idolatry, as dangerous, though not as scandalous, as the other. They weigh silver in the balance, either to be the matter of their idol (for even those that were most sottish had so much sense as to think that God should be served with the best they had, the best they could possibly afford; those that represented him by a calf made it a golden one) or to pay the workmen's wages. The service of sin often proves very expensive.
(2.)They were in great care about their idols and took no little pains about them (Isa 46:7): They bear him upon their own shoulders, and do not hire porters to do it; they carry him, and set him in his place, more like a dead corpse than a living God. They set him on a pedestal, and he stands. They take a great deal of pains to fasten him, and from his place he shall not remove, that they may know where to find him, though at the same time they know he can neither move a hand nor stir a step to do them any kindness.
(3.)After all, they paid great respect to their idols, though they were but the works of their own hands and the creatures of their own fancies. When the goldsmith has made it that which they please to call a god they fall down, yea, they worship it. If they magnified themselves too much in pretending to make a god, as if they would atone for that, they vilified themselves as much in prostrating themselves to a god that they knew the original of. And, if they were deceived by the custom of their country in making such gods as these, they did no less deceive themselves when they cried unto them, though they knew they could not answer them, could not understand what they said to them, nor so much as reply Yea, or No, much less could they save them out of their trouble. Now shall any that have some knowledge of, and interest in, the true and living God, thus make fools of themselves?
3.He puts it to themselves, and their own reason, let that judge in the case (Isa 46:8): "Remember this, that has been often told you, what senseless helpless things idols are, and show yourselves men - men and not brutes, men and not babes. Act with reason; act with resolution; act for your own interest. Do a wise thing; do a brave thing; and scorn to disparage your own judgment as you do when you worship idols." Note, Sinners would become saints if they would but show themselves men, if they would but support the dignity of their nature and use aright its powers and capacities. "Many things you have been reminded of; bring them again to mind, recall them into you memories, and revolve them there. O! you transgressors, consider your ways; remember whence you have fallen, and repent, and so recover yourselves."
4.He again produces incontestable proofs that he is God, that he and none besides is so (Isa 46:9): I am God, and there is none like me. This is that which we have need to be reminded of again and again; for proof of it he refers,
(1.)To the sacred history: "Remember the former things of old, what the God of Israel did for his people in their beginnings, whether he did not that for them which no one else could, and which the false gods did not, nor could do, for their worshippers. Remember those things, and you will own that I am God and there is none else." This is a good reason why we should give glory to him as a nonsuch, and why we should not give that glory to any other which is due to him alone, Exo 15:11.
(2.)To the sacred prophecy. He is God alone, for it is he only that declares the end from the beginning, Isa 46:10. From the beginning of time he declared the end of time, and end of all things. Enoch prophesied, Behold, the Lord comes. From the beginning of a nation he declares what the end of it will be. He told Israel what should befal them in the latter days, what their end should be, and wished they were so wise as to consider it, Deu 32:20, Deu 32:20. From the beginning of an event he declares what the end of it will be. Known unto God are all his works, and, when he pleases, he makes them known. Further than prophecy guides us it is impossible for us to find out the work that God makes from the beginning to the end, Ecc 3:11. He declares from ancient times the things that are not yet done. Many scripture prophecies which were delivered long ago are not yet accomplished; but the accomplishment of some in the mean time is an earnest of the accomplishment of the rest in due time. By this it appears that he is God, and none else; it is he, and none besides, that can say, and make his words good, "My counsel shall stand, and all the powers of hell and earth cannot control or disannul it nor all their policies correct or countermine it." As God's operations are all according to his counsels, so his counsels shall all be fulfilled in his operations, and none of his measures shall be broken, none of his designs shall miscarry. This yields abundant satisfaction to those who have bound up all their comforts in God's counsels, that his counsel shall undoubtedly stand; and, if we are brought to this, that whatever pleases God pleases us, nothing can contribute more to make us easy than to be assured of this, that God will do all his pleasure, Psa 135:6. The accomplishment of this particular prophecy, which relates to the elevation of Cyrus and his agency in the deliverance of God's people out of their captivity, is mentioned for the confirmation of this truth, that the Lord is God and there is none else; and this is a thing which shall shortly come to pass, Isa 46:11. God by his counsel calls a ravenous bird from the east, a bird of prey, Cyrus, who (they say) had a nose like the beak of a hawk or eagle, to which some think this alludes, or (as others say) to the eagle which was his standard, as it was afterwards that of the Romans, to which there is supposed to be a reference, Mat 24:28. Cyrus came from the east at God's call: for God is Lord of hosts and of those that have hosts at command. And, if God give him a call, he will give him success. He is the man that shall execute God's counsel, though he comes from a far country and knows nothing of the matter. Note, Even those that know not, and mind not, God's revealed will, are made use of to fulfil the counsels of his secret will, which shall all be punctually accomplished in their season by what hand he pleases. That which is here added, to ratify this particular prediction, may abundantly show to the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel: "I have spoken of it by my servants the prophets, and what I have spoken is just the same with what I have purposed." For, though God has many things in his purposes which are not in his prophecies, he has nothing in his prophecies but what are in his purposes. And he will do it, for he will never change his mind; he will bring it to pass, for it is not in the power of any creature to control him. Observe with what majesty he says it, as one having authority: I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass. Dictum, factum - no sooner said than done. I have purposed it, and he does not say, "I will take care it shall be done," but, "I will do it." Heaven and earth shall pass away sooner than one tittle of the word of God.
II.For the conviction of those that daringly opposed the counsels of God assurance is here given not only that they shall be accomplished, but that they shall be accomplished very shortly, Isa 46:12, Isa 46:13.
1.This is addressed to the stout-hearted, that is, either,
(1.)The proud and obstinate Babylonians, that are far from righteousness, far from doing justice or showing mercy to those they have power over, that say they will never let the oppressed go free, but will still detain them in spite of their petitions or God's predictions, that are far from any thing of clemency or compassion to the miserable. Or,
(2.)The unhumbled Jews, that have been long under the hammer, long in the furnace, but are not broken are not melted, that, like the unbelieving murmuring Israelites in the wilderness, think themselves far from God's righteousness (that is, from the performance of his promise, and his appearing to judge for them), and by their distrusts set themselves at a yet further distance from it, and keep good things from themselves, as their fathers, who could not enter into the land of promise because of unbelief. This is applicable to the Jewish nation when they rejected the gospel of Christ; though they followed after the law of righteousness, they attained not to righteousness, because they sought it not by faith, Rom 9:31, Rom 9:32. They perished far from righteousness; and it was because they were stout-hearted, Rom 10:3.
2.Now to them God says that, whatever they think, the one in presumption, the other in despair,
(1.)Salvation shall be certainly wrought for God's people. If men will not do them justice, God will, and his righteousness shall effect that for them which men's righteousness would not reach to. He will place salvation in Zion, that is, he will make Jerusalem a place of safety and defence to all those who will plant themselves there; thence shall salvation go forth for Israel his glory. God glories in his Israel; and he will be glorified in the salvation he designs to work out for them; it shall redound greatly to his honour. This salvation shall be in Zion; for thence the gospel shall take rise (Isa 2:3), thither the Redeemer comes (Isa 59:20, Rom 11:26), and it is Zion's King that has salvation, Zac 9:9.
(2.)It shall be very shortly wrought. This is especially insisted on with those who thought it at a distance: "I bring near my righteousness, nearer than you think of; perhaps it is nearest of all when your straits are greatest and your enemies most injurious; it shall not be far off when there is occasion for it, Psa 85:9. Behold, the Judge stands before the door. My salvation shall not tarry any longer than till it is ripe and you are ready for it; and therefore, though it tarry, wait for it; wait patiently, for he that shall come will come, and will not tarry."
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
4 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
Who other can this be than his Christ, who, it says, has been called from a distant land, that is, from the innermost part of Hades? All the things I have announced before him, I will bring into action through him.
“I call a bird of prey from the east.” [Isaiah] either calls the Medes a “bird,” who will destroy the Babylonians, or the Israelites, who, in the course of their return, destroyed the Arameans, the Greeks and the house of Gog.
(Verse 8 onwards) Remember this, and be established, and return, you transgressors, to the heart. Recall the former age, for I am God, and there is no other God, nor is there anyone like me. I declare the end from the beginning, and from long ago the things that have not yet been done, saying: My purpose will stand, and I will accomplish all my desire. I call a bird of prey from the east, and from a far country a man of my counsel; I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have planned it, and I will do it. LXX: Remember these things, and groan: repent, you who go astray. Return with your heart, and remember the former things from of old: for I am God, and there is no other besides me. I announce the first things before they come to pass, and I tell you, my will shall stand, and all that I have planned, I will accomplish. I call forth a bird from the East, and from the distant land, what I have planned: I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have created and I will do it. Because I myself begot you, I myself carried you, and from infancy to old age, not by your merit, but by my mercy, you are saved: abandon the idols you have made, and return to the worship of the one God. Repent, groan for the error that has held you; rather, establish yourselves, lest a sudden whirlwind of idolatry overthrow you again: and return to your heart, that is, to your mind, which, worshipping images as if insane, you were striking against wood and stones. From the beginning, consider that there is no god apart from me, and no one else can know the future except me, who through the prophets announce what I am going to do. So when I fulfill what was predicted, I will prove my divinity through divination. For I declare that I will establish the mystery that was previously unknown to all generations and reveal my plan. And when you see it come to pass, you will know that there is no god except the one who knew and commanded these future events. I am the one who calls the bird from the East, as the Hebrews believe, the king Cyrus of the Persians, or the prince Darius of the Medes; and from a distant land, a man of my will, who fulfills all my will against Babylon and the Chaldeans. Or as we are convinced to be true, the Lord Savior, about whom even Balaam prophesies: A star shall come out of Jacob, and a man shall rise out of Israel (Numbers 24:17), whose name is the East (Zechariah 6), whom the Magi from the East worshipped. For he speaks here in the Psalms: 'God, I desired to do your will' (Psalm 39:9), about whom the Father spoke and confirmed his promise by his works. In the Septuagint, since we translated from the Hebrew, they have put 'a man of my will' instead, which I have considered. Therefore, according to them, the birds called from the East, we can understand the ministries of the angels, which run throughout the world in obedience to the Lord's command. They are the ministering spirits who are sent for the salvation of the believers. Of whom it is also sung in the Psalms: 'You make your angels spirits, and your ministers a burning fire' (Psalm 103:4).
All is easy for the God of the universe. Not only the beings endowed with reason but even those devoid of it submit to divine authority. In addition, by the term “bird” he has clearly shown the speed of Israel’s return from exile.
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Summary
Isaiah 46:11 stands as a powerful testament to the Lord God's absolute sovereignty, unequivocally declaring His unique power to orchestrate all of human history and national affairs. This verse specifically foretells the rise of a pivotal figure, Cyrus the Great, who would serve as God's chosen instrument to meticulously execute His divine counsel. It profoundly underscores God's unparalleled ability to speak His purposes into existence and infallibly bring them to pass, demonstrating His supreme control over all creation and His unwavering faithfulness to every declared word.
Context
Literary Context
Isaiah 46 is centrally positioned within a profound section of the book (chapters 40-48) that rigorously contrasts Yahweh's incomparable nature with the impotence of Babylonian idols. This broader context emphasizes God's unique attribute of foreknowledge and His singular ability to declare future events and bring them to fruition. The preceding verses in chapter 46 vividly mock the Babylonian deities, Bel and Nebo, portraying them as helpless burdens carried by their worshippers, unable to save themselves or their devotees from impending destruction. In stark contrast, God presents Himself as the one who carries His people from birth to old age, underscoring His eternal care and unwavering support. Isaiah 46:10, immediately preceding our focal verse, lays the theological groundwork by declaring, "I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'" Isaiah 46:11 then provides a concrete, historical illustration of this divine declaration and its infallible execution, specifically identifying the instrument of God's sovereign will.
Historical & Cultural Context
The prophet Isaiah delivers this message to the people of Judah, anticipating or addressing their impending Babylonian exile. This period would see the Jewish exiles immersed in the polytheistic culture of Babylon, characterized by its grand temples and numerous, revered idols. Within this challenging environment, God's emphatic declaration of His unique power, foreknowledge, and control over history served as an indispensable source of comfort, reassurance, and a compelling call to trust in His singular deity. The enigmatic descriptions "a ravenous bird from the east" and "the man that executeth my counsel from a far country" are widely recognized as precise prophetic references to Cyrus the Great, the formidable founder of the Persian Empire. Persia was geographically situated to the east of Babylon. Historically, Cyrus would swiftly conquer Babylon in 539 BC, acting as God's unwitting agent to issue a decree allowing the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple, thereby fulfilling prophecies made over a century prior (as recorded in Ezra 1:1-4). This remarkable historical fulfillment would serve as irrefutable evidence of Yahweh's absolute supremacy over all other gods and idols.
Key Themes
Isaiah 46:11 profoundly contributes to several overarching themes central to Isaiah's prophecy and broader biblical theology. Foremost among these is God's Absolute Sovereignty, emphatically asserted as God orchestrates global events and raises up even pagan rulers like Cyrus to meticulously fulfill His specific plans, demonstrating that He is not merely observing history but actively directing it. This leads directly to the theme of the Fulfillment of Prophecy, as God's unparalleled ability to call Cyrus by name (prophetically in Isaiah 44:28) and then bring about his actions, even before Cyrus was born, highlights the divine reliability and certainty of prophetic declarations. Lastly, the powerful, repeated divine declaration, "I have spoken [it], I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed [it], I will also do it," reinforces the theme of God's Unwavering Word and Faithfulness. What God declares, He will undoubtedly accomplish, providing immense comfort and steadfast assurance to His people amidst uncertainty, as seen in His promise to gather them from exile in Isaiah 43:5-6.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This verb, meaning "to call out to," "to address by name," or "to summon," signifies a deliberate and authoritative divine initiative. In this context, it underscores God's active role in selecting and appointing Cyrus, not merely observing his rise, but actively summoning him to fulfill a specific divine purpose. It highlights God's power to command and direct even those unaware of His will.
Derived from a root meaning "to swoop," this term refers to a hawk or other bird of prey. As a vivid metaphor for Cyrus the Great, it emphasizes his swiftness, decisive action, and predatory power in conquest. Just as a bird of prey descends rapidly and powerfully upon its target, so would Cyrus conquer nations, specifically Babylon, acting as an instrument of God's judgment and deliverance.
This word signifies advice, advisement, or, more profoundly, a deliberate and unchangeable plan or purpose. When applied to God, it highlights His sovereign, pre-ordained will and unalterable intentions. Cyrus's actions, though seemingly driven by his own ambitions and strategies, were ultimately aligned with and served God's eternal, wise, and predetermined plan for His people and the nations.
This verb means "to mould into a form," often used in the context of a potter shaping clay. Figuratively, it means "to determine" or "to form a resolution." When God states He has "purposed" something, it conveys the idea that He has carefully and definitively shaped His plan, bringing it into a concrete form in His divine mind, making its execution as certain as a potter's finished vessel. This emphasizes the intentionality and certainty of God's will.
This primitive root is broad in its application, meaning "to do or make," "to accomplish," or "to execute." In the context of God's declaration, it signifies the active, effective, and complete fulfillment of His spoken word and purposed plan. It emphasizes that God's intentions are never abstract but always culminate in concrete, undeniable action.
Verse Breakdown
"Calling a ravenous bird from the east,"
This opening clause introduces the divine initiative and the agent of God's purpose. God is actively summoning a powerful, swift agent—metaphorically described as a bird of prey—from the eastern direction, which in this geopolitical context precisely refers to the region from which the Persian Empire, under Cyrus, would emerge to conquer Babylon.
"the man that executeth my counsel from a far country:"
This clause clarifies the identity of the "ravenous bird" as a specific human agent, a "man," who will carry out God's deliberate, sovereign, and unchangeable plan ("my counsel"). The specification "from a far country" further emphasizes the distant, foreign origin of this individual, reinforcing the idea of a powerful, unexpected ruler raised up by God.
"yea, I have spoken [it], I will also bring it to pass;"
This is a profound declaration of divine certainty and efficacy. God emphatically states that what He has verbally declared ("spoken") is not a mere suggestion or possibility, but an absolute certainty that He Himself will actively cause to materialize and fulfill ("bring it to pass"). This highlights His omnipotence and unwavering faithfulness to His word.
"I have purposed [it], I will also do it."
This final clause powerfully reiterates and reinforces the preceding declaration. It establishes an unbreakable link between God's "purposed" (or meticulously planned and formed) will and His "doing" (or accomplishing and executing) of that will. It underscores the unshakeable connection between God's divine intention and His concrete action, leaving no doubt about the inevitable fulfillment of His decrees.
Literary Devices
Isaiah 46:11 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message with impactful clarity. The most prominent is Metaphor, where Cyrus the Great is vividly depicted as a "ravenous bird." This imagery effectively communicates Cyrus's swiftness, power, and the decisive, almost predatory, nature of his conquests, much like a bird of prey swooping down on its target. This metaphor also subtly suggests that while Cyrus acts with his own ambitions, he is ultimately an unwitting instrument in God's sovereign hand. Another significant device is Repetition, particularly evident in the concluding parallel clauses: "I have spoken [it], I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed [it], I will also do it." This rhetorical technique serves to emphasize and underscore the absolute certainty, immutability, and divine resolve of God's word and purpose. The reiteration builds a sense of unyielding assurance, impressing upon the listener the undeniable truth that what God declares, He will unfailingly accomplish. The entire verse also functions as a powerful Prophecy, demonstrating God's unique attribute of foreknowledge and His ability to declare future events with precision, thereby validating His supreme deity over all other gods and providing a foundation for His people's trust.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Isaiah 46:11 stands as a monumental declaration of God's absolute sovereignty, revealing that His divine will is not merely aspirational but actively executed through His providential control over all creation and human history. This verse assures us that even the most powerful human leaders and complex geopolitical events are ultimately instruments in God's hands, serving His eternal purposes. It provides profound comfort, reminding believers that no circumstance, however chaotic or threatening, can thwart God's ultimate plan. His word is His bond, and His purpose will always prevail, offering a steadfast anchor for faith in a turbulent world.
Reflection and Application
Isaiah 46:11 offers a profound bedrock for our faith, anchoring us in the unwavering truth of God's absolute control. In a world often characterized by chaos, uncertainty, and seemingly random events, this verse reminds us that God is not a passive observer but the active orchestrator of history, meticulously working out His grand design. This truth should profoundly shape our perspective, transforming anxiety into steadfast trust. When we face personal challenges, global crises, or seemingly insurmountable obstacles, we can rest in the knowledge that God's "counsel" will stand, and He will "bring it to pass." It calls us to surrender our worries, ambitions, and even our deepest fears to His perfect will, knowing that His plans, though sometimes mysterious to us, are always good, ultimately victorious, and perfectly aligned with His character. This passage empowers us to pray with confidence, knowing that God hears and acts according to His sovereign purpose, and to live with courageous hope, understanding that our lives, too, are intricately woven into His magnificent, unfolding design.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Who is the "ravenous bird from the east" mentioned in Isaiah 46:11?
The "ravenous bird from the east" is a powerful prophetic metaphor for Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Persian Empire. He is described as coming "from the east" because Persia was located to the east of Babylon, the dominant world power at the time. The imagery of a "ravenous bird" emphasizes his swiftness, decisive action, and the overwhelming nature of his conquests, much like a bird of prey swooping down on its target. God used Cyrus, a pagan king, as His unwitting instrument to conquer Babylon and facilitate the return of the Jewish exiles to Jerusalem, thereby fulfilling divine prophecy (see Ezra 1:1-4).
What is the significance of God stating, "I have spoken [it], I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed [it], I will also do it"?
This powerful declaration underscores God's absolute omnipotence, unwavering faithfulness, and the inherent certainty of His divine word. It signifies that there is an unbreakable, guaranteed link between God's intention (His "purpose") and His action (His "doing"), and between His declaration ("spoken") and its certain fulfillment ("bring it to pass"). Unlike human promises that can fail due to limitations or changing circumstances, God's word is inherently effective and guaranteed to achieve its intended outcome. This provides immense assurance that all of God's promises, whether of judgment or salvation, will be perfectly fulfilled, as highlighted by His overarching declaration in Isaiah 46:10.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
While Isaiah 46:11 specifically foretells the historical role of Cyrus as God's instrument for physical deliverance, its deeper theological principle points to the ultimate and perfect executor of God's eternal counsel and purpose: Jesus Christ. Just as God called a "ravenous bird" from a "far country" to accomplish His will for Israel's physical restoration, so too did God send His Son, the ultimate "man that executeth my counsel," from the far country of heaven to accomplish humanity's spiritual deliverance. Jesus is the divine Word made flesh, the one through whom all things were made and in whom all things hold together, revealing the Father's eternal plan (see John 1:1-3 and Colossians 1:16-17). His life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection are the supreme "bringing to pass" of God's eternal purpose for redemption, a plan conceived "before the foundation of the world" (as revealed in Ephesians 1:4). The victory over sin and death, the establishment of His eternal kingdom, and the gathering of His people are all the magnificent fulfillment of what God has "spoken" and "purposed" in Christ. He is not merely an instrument, but the very embodiment of God's counsel, the one who fully reveals the Father and perfectly accomplishes His will, ensuring that every divine promise finds its definitive "Yes" in Him (as affirmed in 2 Corinthians 1:20).