Hamilton Smith

They are then warned that God has raised up a mighty conqueror from the East to scourge the nations for their idolatry. In a later chapter (Isa. 45:1) we shall learn that this is Cyrus. Before his irresistible power the nations will be mere stubble. He will pass victoriously into lands where his feet had never before trodden. But behind Cyrus there will be the directing power of the LORD – the One who knows the whole history of the generations from the beginning. The One who is the first – before all, and will be the last. Who but the LORD could foretell the coming of Cyrus 200 years before his advent, and thus describe events yet future as if they had already transpired? It will be in vain that the nations, in their fear, will turn to idols, the carpenter and the goldsmith encouraging one another to fashion fresh idols.