Below are some preliminary questions to assist in the study of this passage. For a comprehensive study of the passage, download the Study Guide (PDF download).
1. How does the Lord describe Himself in Isaiah 41:4 (printed below?)
Who has produced this and accomplished it, calling forth the generations from the beginning of time? It is I, Jehovah—I am the first, before all generations, and I will be with the last generation—I am the one. (Isaiah 41:4)
The Lord describes Himself as Jehovah (whose very name means, “I AM the Living One.”) He declares, “I am the first, before all generations, and I will be with the last generation—I am the one” (verse 4b). That is to say, the Lord is the sovereign God who proceeds history and who is working in every generation of history; He is the God over history and who, operating in history, accomplishes His sovereign will.
2. What challenge does the Lord issue to the idols? See Isaiah 41:21-24 (printed below)
Present your case, demands Jehovah; produce your compelling arguments, declares the King of Jacob. (22) Let them bring forth their idols and let those idols inform us about the future. Tell us what is about to happen in the immediate future, so that we may consider these things and take note of their outcome; or make known to us events that will occur in the distant future. (23) Tell us the things that are still to come, so that we may know that you are gods. Indeed, do good, or do evil, so that all of us may be dismayed and filled with fear. (24) Look! You are worthless, and your works are utterly useless; whoever chooses you to be their god is detestable. (Isaiah 41:21-24)
The Lord directly challenges the idols to defend themselves and demonstrate that they are legitimate deities (verses 21-24). He calls upon them to set forth their case, to speak in their defense, to give compelling reasons why men should believe in them (verse 21). He challenges them to display their ability to communicate and to display their divine knowledge of future events (verse 22). The Lord then addresses the idols directly and demands of them, “Tell us the things that are still to come, so that we may know that you are gods. Indeed, do good, or do evil, so that all of us may be dismayed and filled with fear” (verse 23)—foretell future events, do something, do anything, to demonstrate that you are worthy of fear and reverence! In disgust, the Lord declares to the silent, lifeless idols, “Look! You are worthless, and your works are utterly useless; whoever chooses you to be their god is detestable” (verse 24).
3. What assurance does the Lord give His people in Isaiah 41:10-14 printed below?)
…to you I say, Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; surely, I will help you; surely, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (11) Listen! All those who rage against you will be brought to shame and disgrace; those who oppose you will be as nothing and will perish. (12) You will seek them—them who fight against you—but you will not find them; those who wage war against you will be like nothing, like nothing at all. (13) Such will be the case because I, Jehovah your God, will hold your right hand and say to you, Do not be afraid; I will help you. (14) Do not be afraid, O Jacob you worm, and you men of Israel; I will help you, declares Jehovah. Indeed, your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 41:10-14)
In verse 10 the Lord assures His people of His sustaining presence. “Do not be dismayed, for I am your God;” i.e.; because the Lord is our God, we are not to be panic stricken, we are to have confidence in Him. In verses 11-14 the Lord assures His people that He will defend them. The enemies of God’s people shall be confounded, they shall not prevail (verse 11). Furthermore, those enemies shall be removed (verse 12). This protection and deliverance is due to the mighty presence of the Lord our God: holding our hand, summoning us to fear not, and pledging to help us and to be our Redeemer (verses 13-14).
4. Contrast the way Jacob (i.e.; the people of God) is described in verse 14 (printed above under question #3) with the way God’s people are described in verses 15-16 (printed below).
Look! I have made you to be a new sharp threshing implement with double-edged blades. You will thresh the mountains and crush them, and reduce the hills to chaff. (16) You will winnow them, the wind will pick them up, and a gale will blow them away. You will rejoice in Jehovah, and exult in the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 41:15-16)
In verses 11-12 we find God’s people surrounded by enemies and Jacob himself is described as a “worm.” Again in verse 14 Jacob is describes as “a worm.” But in verses 15-16 God’s people are described as a new and sharp threshing instrument that threshes mountains of grain. The imagery is conveying to us the truth that just as we are identified with Christ in His humiliation, so shall we be joined with Him in His power and exaltation (note Psalm 149:6-7,9).
5. What promise does the Lord make to His people in Isaiah 41:17-18 (printed below?) What further promise does He make in verse 19 (printed below?)
The poor and the needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. I, Jehovah, will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. (18) I will make rivers flow on the bare heights, and cause springs to gush within the valleys. I will turn the desert into a pool of water, and the parched ground into springs. (Isaiah 41:17-18)
In the desert I will plant the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive tree. In the wasteland I will plant the pine, together with the fir tree and the cypress. (Isaiah 41:19)
In verse 17a God’s people are described as being “poor and needy”—they seek water, but find none, their tongue is parched with thirst. But in verse 17b there follows the assurance, “I, Jehovah, will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.” In verse 18 the Lord promises to sustain His people in “the wilderness.” The Lord further promises to transform “the wilderness” into a paradise (verses 18b-19). Here is the promise of the new creation to be experienced in blessing by all those who trust in Christ the Savior (2 Peter 3:12-13).
