Isaiah 48:15

KJV

I, [even] I, have spoken; yea, I have called him: I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous.

KJV (with Strong's)

I, even I, have spoken {H1696}; yea, I have called {H7121} him: I have brought {H935} him, and he shall make his way {H1870} prosperous {H6743}.

Complete Jewish Bible

It is I who have spoken, I have summoned him, I have brought him, and he will succeed.

Berean Standard Bible

I, even I, have spoken; yes, I have called him. I have brought him, and he will succeed in his mission.

American Standard Version

I, even I, have spoken; yea, I have called him; I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 48:15 powerfully declares God's absolute sovereignty and direct involvement in the unfolding of His divine purposes, specifically concerning the rise and success of an unnamed individual (Cyrus) whom God has personally chosen and empowered. This verse underscores the Lord's unique ability to foretell and meticulously bring to pass historical events, demonstrating His unchallengeable control over nations and human affairs, all for the ultimate redemption of His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 48 concludes a significant section (chapters 40-48) often referred to as "The Book of Comfort" or "Deutero-Isaiah," addressed primarily to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. Throughout these chapters, God consistently contrasts His unique identity as the one true God with the impotence of Babylonian idols. He repeatedly emphasizes His foreknowledge and His ability to declare future events before they occur, thereby proving His deity. Chapter 48 specifically serves as a summary and a final appeal to a "stubborn" Israel, reminding them of their past disobedience while simultaneously reaffirming God's unwavering commitment to His covenant and His plan for their deliverance. Verses 14-15 narrow the focus to the specific instrument of this deliverance: a figure God has "loved" and "called," who will execute God's will against Babylon, setting the stage for the dramatic shift in focus to the servant songs and the promise of a new exodus in subsequent chapters.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the Babylonian exile, a period of profound despair and theological questioning for the Judeans. They had lost their temple, their land, and their king, leading many to doubt Yahweh's power or presence. Babylon, with its impressive infrastructure, powerful deities, and vast empire, presented a formidable, seemingly insurmountable force. In this context, God's declarations through Isaiah were revolutionary. The "him" in this verse refers to Cyrus the Great, the Persian king who would conquer Babylon in 539 BC and issue a decree allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem, as recorded in [Ezra 1:1-4](/ezra/1-1-4 "Ezra 1:1-4 - Cyrus's Decree for Return"). This prophecy, made decades before Cyrus's rise, was a stunning testament to God's omnipotence and omniscience, directly challenging the polytheistic worldview of the ancient Near East where national gods were believed to be confined to their territories. God's use of a pagan king like Cyrus, whom He "called" and "brought," further highlights His sovereignty over all nations and rulers, transcending conventional religious and political boundaries.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Foreknowledge**, where God asserts His singular authority over history and His ability to orchestrate events precisely according to His plan. This is powerfully articulated in [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning"). Another crucial theme is the **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, as God's declaration concerning Cyrus's rise and success serves as irrefutable proof of His prophetic word's reliability. The use of an "outsider" like Cyrus also underscores God's **Freedom to Use Unlikely Instruments** to accomplish His will, demonstrating that His purposes are not limited by human expectations or religious affiliations, a concept also seen in God's choice of individuals like Pharaoh or Nebuchadnezzar for specific roles in His plan. Finally, the phrase "he shall make his way prosperous" emphasizes the theme of **Guaranteed Divine Success** for those whom God calls and commissions for His specific purposes, ensuring the triumph of His redemptive plan for Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **spoken (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** H1696. This primitive root signifies not merely uttering words, but implies arranging, commanding, or declaring with authority and purpose. In this context, it emphasizes God's deliberate, intentional, and authoritative pronouncement. It's a divine fiat, a decree that carries the weight of certainty and the power to bring about what is stated, underscoring the unchangeable nature of God's word.
* **way (Hebrew, _derek'_):** H1870. From a root meaning "to tread," this word literally refers to a road or path. Figuratively, as used here, it denotes a course of life, a mode of action, or a specific journey or mission. When God declares that "he shall make his way prosperous," it refers to the specific path, mission, and actions of Cyrus, particularly his military campaigns and political decisions that would lead to the conquest of Babylon and the subsequent decree for the exiles to return.
* **prosperous (Hebrew, _tsâlach'_):** H6743. This root means "to push forward," "to advance," or "to succeed." It implies not just good fortune, but effective progress and successful accomplishment of a task or purpose. Here, it signifies the divinely assured success of Cyrus's mission as God's chosen instrument, particularly in overthrowing Babylon and facilitating the return of the Jewish exiles, thereby fulfilling God's redemptive plan. It is not a humanly achieved prosperity but a divinely granted one.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I, [even] I, have spoken;":** This emphatic repetition of "I" (Hebrew: _anokhi anokhi_) serves as a powerful divine affirmation. It underscores God's personal, undeniable, and authoritative declaration. It leaves no room for doubt about the source of the prophecy or the certainty of its fulfillment, establishing God as the sole initiator and executor of this plan.
* **"yea, I have called him:":** This clause highlights God's sovereign election and commissioning. The "him" refers to Cyrus, whom God personally chose and summoned for a specific task, long before his rise to power. This calling is not a mere invitation but an authoritative summons that empowers the chosen individual to fulfill the divine mandate, regardless of their own knowledge or acknowledgment of God.
* **"I have brought him,":** This signifies God's active involvement in guiding and empowering Cyrus. It implies that God has not only called him but also orchestrated the circumstances, provided the means, and removed obstacles, ensuring that Cyrus would be positioned and equipped to accomplish the divine purpose. This emphasizes God's direct, providential hand in history.
* **"and he shall make his way prosperous.":** This is a divine guarantee of success. Because God has spoken, called, and brought him, the outcome is certain. The prosperity refers specifically to the successful accomplishment of God's mission for Cyrus – the overthrow of Babylon and the subsequent release of the Jewish exiles. This is not a humanly determined success but a divinely assured one, demonstrating God's ultimate control over all events to achieve His redemptive will.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich in **Divine Fiat** and **Emphasis**. The emphatic repetition "I, even I, have spoken" serves as a powerful **Anaphora** and **Pleonasm**, underscoring the speaker's identity and the absolute certainty of the declaration. It establishes God's **Divine Authority** as the ultimate source of all prophecy and its fulfillment. The entire verse functions as a **Prophecy**, a foretelling of future events, specifically the rise and success of Cyrus. The phrase "he shall make his way prosperous" uses **Metonymy**, where "way" (_derek_) stands for the entire course of action and mission of the individual, imbued with **Divine Assurance** of success. The verse also employs **Personification** by attributing human actions like "speaking," "calling," and "bringing" to God, making His active involvement in history vivid and tangible.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 48:15 profoundly articulates the biblical truth of God's meticulous sovereignty over all creation and history. It reveals a God who is not merely an observer but an active participant, orchestrating events and raising up individuals, even those who do not know Him, to fulfill His redemptive purposes. This divine control ensures that His word will never return empty but will always accomplish the purpose for which it was sent. The specific prophecy regarding Cyrus serves as a powerful apologetic for God's uniqueness and omnipotence, demonstrating that He alone is able to declare the end from the beginning and bring it to pass. This provides immense comfort and a call to unwavering trust for believers, assuring them that God's plans for His people will ultimately prevail, regardless of the apparent chaos or might of earthly powers.

* [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning")
* [Psalm 33:11](/psalms/33-11 "Psalm 33:11 - The Counsel of the Lord Stands Forever")
* [Daniel 4:35](/daniel/4-35 "Daniel 4:35 - God Does as He Pleases with the Host of Heaven and Among the Inhabitants of the Earth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 48:15 offers profound spiritual nourishment for believers today, reminding us that our God is utterly sovereign and meticulously involved in the details of history and our individual lives. In a world often characterized by uncertainty, chaos, and seemingly insurmountable challenges, this verse provides a bedrock of assurance: God's plans are not contingent on human strength or wisdom, nor can they be thwarted by any earthly power. Just as He raised up Cyrus to accomplish His specific purpose for Israel's deliverance, so too does He continue to work through various means and individuals, often unexpected, to bring about His ultimate will. This truth should cultivate a deep sense of peace and trust, empowering us to face difficulties with courage, knowing that God is actively working all things for His glory and the good of those who love Him. It also challenges us to discern God's hand in unexpected places and to pray for all leaders, recognizing that even those who do not acknowledge Him can be instruments in His sovereign plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's declaration "I, even I, have spoken" impact your understanding of His authority and the reliability of His promises in your life?**
* **In what ways might God be using "unlikely instruments" in the world today to accomplish His purposes, and how does recognizing this affect your perspective?**
* **How can the assurance that God will make "his way prosperous" (in His divine plan) encourage you when facing personal or global challenges?**

### FAQ
**Who is the "him" referred to in this verse?**

Answer: While not explicitly named in this specific verse, the broader context of Isaiah 40-48, and particularly [Isaiah 44:28](/isaiah/44-28 "Isaiah 44:28 - God's Prophecy of Cyrus") and [Isaiah 45:1](/isaiah/45-1 "Isaiah 45:1 - God Anoints Cyrus"), makes it clear that "him" refers to Cyrus the Great, the king of Persia. God prophesied Cyrus's rise and his role in conquering Babylon and allowing the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland, long before Cyrus was even born or rose to power.

**What does it mean for God to say, "he shall make his way prosperous"?**

Answer: This phrase is a divine guarantee of success for Cyrus's divinely appointed mission. It's not a general blessing of prosperity but a specific assurance that Cyrus's military campaigns and subsequent decrees (like allowing the Jews to return, as recorded in [Ezra 1:1-4](/ezra/1-1-4 "Ezra 1:1-4 - Cyrus's Decree")) would succeed according to God's will. God Himself would ensure that Cyrus's path would lead to the accomplishment of His redemptive plan for Israel, demonstrating God's absolute control over history and human affairs.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 48:15, with its declaration of God's sovereign calling and prospering of Cyrus for the deliverance of His people, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Cyrus was an earthly king used by God to bring about a physical return from exile, Christ is the eternal King, the true "Servant" of the Lord, whom God Himself "called" and "brought" into the world for a far greater, spiritual deliverance. Just as God declared, "I, even I, have spoken; yea, I have called him: I have brought him," so too did God speak His eternal Word into existence as [Jesus, the Word made flesh](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Was God, and the Word Was with God"). Jesus' entire earthly ministry, culminating in His death and resurrection, was the "way" that God made "prosperous" for the salvation of humanity. His path, though seemingly one of suffering and defeat, was divinely ordained to achieve the ultimate victory over sin and death, leading to His exaltation above all names, as seen in [Philippians 2:8-11](/philippians/2-8-11 "Philippians 2:8-11 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation"). Through Christ, God accomplished the true exodus, liberating His people from the bondage of sin and establishing an eternal kingdom. The prosperity promised to Cyrus for a temporal deliverance pales in comparison to the spiritual and eternal prosperity, the abundant life and everlasting hope, that Christ secures for all who believe in Him, as He Himself declared, "[I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Jesus Came to Give Life Abundantly")". Thus, Isaiah 48:15 foreshadows the divine initiative, sovereign power, and guaranteed success of God's ultimate plan of salvation realized in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

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

Joshua 1:8

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Isaiah 45:1

¶ 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;

Isaiah 45:2

I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

Psalms 45:4

And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness [and] righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.

Ezekiel 1:2

In the fifth [day] of the month, which [was] the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity,