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Isaiah 41:10 and the Other Verses of Isaiah 41

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“As Moses lifted up the serpent [the serpent made of bronze described in Numbers 21:8–9] in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that whosoever believes in Him will have eternal life, for God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten [uniquely born] Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

“…for by grace you are saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, lest any man should boast.”

Above is the content of John 3:14–16 and the content of Ephesians 2:8–9, respectively.  Itʼs worthwhile to refrain from receiving the mark referenced in Revelation 13:11–18 and to instead receive eternal life for free by believing that Jesus is the Savior.  Before doing any Bible studying and before praying to God the Father, it is useful for a person who has believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior to try to think of any sins that one might have committed since one last confessed oneʼs known post-salvation sins to God the Father, and if one has indeed committed any, to then silently confess those sins to God the Father—confessing only one time for each sin—in accordance with what is mentioned in 1 John 1:9:  

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

This webpage could be periodically updated.  If there is a mass disappearance of people professing to be Christians, and if the original author of this webpage is amongst those people disappearing en masse, then it is possible that this webpage will no longer be updated.  Also, if there is a mass disappearance of people professing to be Christians, it is worthwhile to consider the possibility that those people have exited from the earth on the occasion known as the Rapture instead of assuming that that mass disappearance involves extraterrestrials abducting those people or involves the annihilation of those people or involves anything else other than the Rapture.  

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Also, it is possible that it is worthwhile to print this content in case of time periods involving lack of Internet connectivity.  

When studying the Word of God, it is beneficial to keep in mind the content of Hebrews 4:12:  

“Indeed, the Word of God is alive and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and the spirit and of the joints and the marrow and is a critic of thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Note:  The heart refers to the mind.  

It is also beneficial to keep in mind the content of 2 Timothy 3:16–17 when studying the Word of God:  

“All Scripture is God breathed and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God might be mature, having been thoroughly furnished unto all good work.”

It is the responsibility of a pastor-teacher to endeavor to correctly understand the Word of God and then to accurately teach the Word of God, as per the content of 2 Timothy 2:15:  

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the Word of Truth.”

A pastor-teacher is a communicator rather than a crutch on which to be leaned.  In that regard, a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ should refrain from putting oneʼs trust in and thereby serving as a devoted follower of and thus worshiping a pastor-teacher.  Likewise, a believer should refrain from putting oneʼs trust in and thereby serving as a devoted follower of and thus worshiping anyone other than the Trinity [God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit], as per Joshua 24:15, the content of which references Joshua speaking to the Israelites:  

If it is disagreeable/bad/evil/wrong/wretchedness/displeasing in your sight to serve/worship Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, choose for yourselves today whom you serve/worship:  whether the gods ['elohiym / false gods] which your fathers have served/worshiped which were beyond the river or the gods ['elohiym / false gods] of the Amorites in whose land you are living.  As for me and my house, we serve/worship Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One.

Note:  Joshua, the leader of the Israelites after Joshua had been serving as the assistant of Moses while Moses was the leader of the Israelites, set the example for the Israelites.  Joshua chose to put his trust in and thereby serve as a devoted follower of and thus worship God the Father rather than Joshua choosing to put his trust in and thereby serve as a devoted follower of and thus worship the lesser of multiple evils amongst multiple choices of 'elohiym [el-oh-HEEM].  The word 'elohiym with a lowercase e can refer to false gods, to angels, or to human rulers or judges.  The word 'Elohiym with a capital E refers to the Trinity.  The word 'elohiym can also be used to refer to might as in mightiness.  In that regard, the use of the word 'elohiym in reference to false gods, to angels, or to human rulers or judges involves the connotation of mightiness in comparison to an average human.  When a person puts oneʼs trust in and thereby serves as a devoted follower of and thus worships an angel or human, that angel or human is that personʼs false god.  Regarding the foregoing, the content of Joshua 24:15 involves Joshua calling attention to the choices that the Israelites had, and that content involves Joshua permitting the Israelites to make their choices while Joshua led by example with his choice.  

The gift of pastor-teacher is for the purpose of each pastor-teacher functioning as a messenger who communicates the Word of God rather than functioning as a priest between the Trinity and mankind.  In that regard, the time period that can be referred to as the Church Age started fifty days after the Lord Jesus Christ was resurrected, and all Church Age believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are priests.  The Lord Jesus Christ is the High Priest of Church Age believers, and believers should be willing to acknowledge/confess/profess to people the believersʼ faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, as per Hebrews 4:14–15:  

Therefore, since we have a great High Priest Who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast the acknowledgment/confession/profession.  Indeed, we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One Who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

Also, the Lord Jesus Christ is the High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek [mel-KIZ-uh-dek], who was the ruler of Salem when Abraham was still named Abram.  Melchizedek was both a king and a priest, as per Genesis 14:18, which references Melchizedek greeting Abram:  

Then Melchizedek king of Salem has brought out bread and wine, and he is a priest of 'El [AYL] 'Elyown [el-YOHN] / God [focusing on God the Fatherʼs power] Most High.

The Lord Jesus Christ is also both a king and a priest because the Lord is the Priest according to the order of Melchizedek, as per Hebrews 7:14–17:  

Indeed, it is evident that our Lord has arisen from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.  Also, it is still much more evident:  that according to the similarity of Melchizedek, Another of a different type of priest arises, Who has become such not on the basis of a law of fleshly command / physical requirement but according to the power of an indestructible life.  Indeed, it is attested:  “YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER, ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.”

Note:  The Lord Jesus Christ is from the tribe of Judah.  Also, the Lord Jesus Christ is qualified to be a priest because He was resurrected and therefore has an indestructible body.  The above content in all capital letters is a reference to Psalm 110:4.  

Because a king is royalty, a king who is a priest is a royal priest.  In that regard, Church Age believers are royalty because they are members of the Lord Jesus Christʼs family.  Therefore, all Church Age believers are royal priests, as per 1 Peter 2:9–10:  

However, you are A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR ACQUISITION/PRESERVATION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him Who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light, for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are GODʼS PEOPLE.  You had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

Note:  Before the Church Age, Gentiles were not Godʼs people.  In the Church Age, both Jewish and Gentile believers are Godʼs people.  The content of 1 Peter 2:10 references Hosea 2:23.  In that regard, Peter uses references involving Israel in the Old Testament to refer to Church Age believers.  

Itʼs the message rather than the messenger that should be the focus of the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Put succinctly:  itʼs the message rather than the messenger.  In that regard, it is beneficial to keep in mind the content of Revelation 22:8–9, which was written by the apostle John, who, in addition to writing The Revelation to John, wrote The Gospel According to John, The First Epistle of John, The Second Epistle of John, and The Third Epistle of John:  

I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things, and when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things, but he says* to me, “Do not do that.  I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who keep the words of this book.  Worship God.”

*Note:  The word says is in the Greek historical present tense.  By means of the Greek historical present tense, past action or future action can be described from the perspective of someone seeing the action as it occurs.  

Regarding messages, believers should use the Word of God to examine what is being communicated.  That is what the Bereans who are mentioned in Acts 17:10–12 did:  

The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, who, when they arrived, went into the synagogue of the Jews.  Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, who received the word with all eagerness / readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.  Therefore, many of them believed, and not a few prominent Greek women and men.

Note:  The phrase not a few means “quite a few.”  

Today, the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to meet believers in the Lord Jesus Christ in the clouds on the occasion of the Rapture is one day closer than it was yesterday.  The Rapture involves both deceased and living believers in the Lord Jesus Christ meeting the Lord in the clouds in the atmosphere of the earth, receiving glorified immortal resurrection bodies similar to the Lord Jesus Christʼs glorified resurrection body, and going to Heaven with those resurrection bodies.  Before the Rapture occurs, deceased believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are in Heaven without glorified bodies.  While it is possible that the Rapture will occur on the day of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah [yahm tuh-ROO-uh or yohm tuh-ROO-uh]—which is what some people call Rosh Hashanah and which some people celebrate for two days—the next occurrence of which will possibly be during August, September, or October of 2026, it is worthwhile for believers in the Lord Jesus Christ to get into the habit of being prepared every day for the return of the Lord, just in case the Rapture will occur on a day other than the day of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah.  Furthermore, it is worthwhile to be in the habit of being prepared for the Rapture so that if it does occur on the day of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah, one can be prepared for that day because of already being in the habit of being prepared.  Examples of being prepared for the Rapture include applying the content of 1 John 1:9 whenever one sins, being unselfish, and whenever circumstances are such that an opportunity arises, sharing the gospel—the good news that believing that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior Who was judged on the cross for the sins of humanity is the means by which a person is able to have eternal life.  Regarding sharing the gospel, one could also have a written or printed message containing the gospel with that written or printed message located somewhere where it could be easily noticed so that if a person or people were to read or hear that written or printed message either before or after the Rapture occurs, that person or people would thereby read or hear the gospel by means of that written or printed message.  

Regarding information about the Rapture, it is beneficial to keep in mind the content of 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 and 1 Corinthians 15:51–52:  

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope, for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again—and we do indeed believe that Jesus died and rose again—so also God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.  Indeed, this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive who remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep, for the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout of command, with a voice of an archangel and with a trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive who remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore, comfort one another with these words.

1 Corinthians 15:51–52

Behold, I tell you a mystery:  we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, for a trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.

After the Rapture will be the seven-year Tribulation.  The believers who will be alive on the earth when the Rapture occurs will escape the Tribulation.  1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 covers that topic.  In that regard, in the book 1 Thessalonians, the content of 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 is immediately followed by the content of 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11.  

1 Thessalonians 5:1–11

Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you, for you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord is coming just like a thief in the night.  While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.  However, you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief, for you are all sons of light and sons of day.  We are not of night nor of darkness; therefore, let us not sleep as others, but let us be alert and sober.  Indeed, those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night.  However, since we are of day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and benevolence/goodwill, and as a helmet, the hope / absolute confidence of deliverance, for God has not destined us for wrath but for obtaining deliverance through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.  Therefore, comfort one another and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Note:  In this context, the day of the Lord is the time period that consists of the Rapture, the seven years of the Tribulation, and the Second Advent.  In that regard, deliverance from the Tribulation is the deliverance in this context.  Also, unspecified is who will be saying “Peace and safety!”  In this context, sleeping refers to a lack of alertness.  The alertness in this context involves being ready for the Rapture.  In order to be ready for the Rapture, a believer needs to be filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and to pay attention for historical trends such as people saying “Peace and safety!” and for historical trends that match the pattern of the world being on the brink of tremendous calamities like those that will occur during the Tribulation.  Regarding being filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit, once a believer commits a sin after salvation, that believer is no longer filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and is out of fellowship with the Trinity.  After that believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, fellowship with the Trinity and the filling with the power of the Holy Spirit are restored.  The procedure for confessing/acknowledging to God the Father all of oneʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins is mentioned in 1 John 1:9:  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  Fellowship with God the Father and God the Son is mentioned in 1 John 1.  Being out of fellowship with God the Holy Spirit is referenced in Ephesians 4:30.  In that regard, when a believer sins, that believer grieves the Holy Spirit.  Losing the filling of the power of God the Holy Spirit is referenced in 1 Thessalonians 5:19.  In that regard, when a believer sins, the power of God the Holy Spirit is quenched in that believer.  After a believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, that believer is then filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit again and in fellowship with the Trinity again.  

The verse of the day for July 19th is Isaiah 41:10.  The full name of the book Isaiah is “The Book of Isaiah.”  When the book Isaiah was written, Judah was an independent country; therefore, it had not yet become the Roman province Judea [joo-DEE-uh or joo-DAY-uh].  The word Judea can also be spelled Judaea or Judæa.  The character æ is a ligature [LIG-uh-chuhr or LIG-uh-choor] of a and e.  Before the Romans conquered the region known as Judea, the name of the country of the Jewish people was Judah.  The inhabitants of Judah can be referred to as Judahites [JOO-duh-ights].  The inhabitants of Judea can be referred to as Judeans [joo-DEE-uhnz or joo-DAY-uhnz].  

The first king of Israel was King Saul, the second king of Israel was King David, and the third king of Israel was one of Davidʼs sons, King Solomon.  After King Solomon died, Israel was split into two nations.  Ten tribes formed the Northern Kingdom, which kept the name Israel and is also known as Ephraim.  Two tribes formed the Southern Kingdom, which is also known as Judah.  The twelve tribes of Israel are listed as follows, in order of birth of the sons of Jacob:  Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin.  The ten tribes of the Northern Kingdom are Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, and Joseph.  Also, the tribe of Joseph is subdivided into the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh.  In that regard, Joseph has a double portion.  In some parts of the Bible, the tribe of Ephraim is referred to as the tribe of Joseph.  The two tribes of the Southern Kingdom are Judah and Benjamin.  Below is a link to a map showing the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah).  For reference, Jerusalem is located in grid coordinate C6.  

https://Classic.NET.Bible.org/images/maps/ot5.jpg

If the above link is inaccessible, the below link can be tried instead.  

https://NETBible.org/media/images/maps/ot5.jpg

Many Israelites of the Southern Kingdom, which is also known as Judah, were exiled to Babylon in 586 B.C.  Israelites returned to the land in 516 B.C., which was seventy years later.  In that regard, the prophets are categorized as pre-exilic, exilic, and post-exilic prophets.  Isaiah is categorized as a pre-exilic prophet.  

Because it is useful to study verses that share the same context, below is content related to Isaiah 41.  

Note:  Isaiah 41 starts with the prophet Isaiah quoting God the Father.  

Isaiah 41:1

“Coastlands/Islands, be silent before Me, and the peoples gain new strength.  They come forward; then they speak.  Let us come together for judgment.

Note:  In this verse, the coastlands/islands metaphorically refer to Gentiles.  Gentiles are non-Jewish people.  

Isaiah 41:2

“Who has aroused one from the east, whom He calls in righteousness to His foot?  He delivers up nations before him and subdues kings.  He makes them like dust with his sword, as the wind-driven chaff with his bow.

Note:  Regarding the content of Isaiah 41:2, the content of Isaiah 44:28 and Isaiah 45:1 indicates that a Persian king named Cyrus [SIGH-ruhs] is the person referenced in Isaiah 41:2.  Persia was east of Babylon.  For geographical context, below is a link to a map.  While Persia is not labeled on that map, Persia was located in grid coordinates F2, F3, and F4, as well as further east than the area marked by those grid coordinates.  For reference, Babylon is on the edge of grid coordinates E3 and E4 on that map.  

https://Classic.NET.Bible.org/images/maps/ot6.jpg

If the above link is inaccessible, the below link can be tried instead.  

https://NETBible.org/media/images/maps/ot6.jpg

For context regarding Cyrus, below is content related to Isaiah 45:1–2.  In verse 1, Cyrus is mentioned.  

Isaiah 45:1

Thus has said Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have taken hold of / have strengthened / have made firm to subdue nations before him—I loosen the weapon belts / the hips of kings to open doors before him so that gates are not shut:  

Note:  The content of Isaiah 45:1 reveals that Cyrus was a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.  In that regard, the content of Isaiah 45:1 refers to Cyrus with the phrase His anointed.  In that phrase, the pronoun His refers to God the Father.  In the Bible, the term anointed is only used to refer either to the Lord Jesus Christ or to believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.  

Also, this verse contains metaphors referring to Cyrus experiencing military victories.  In that regard, a weapon belt should be located around a personʼs hips in order for that person to efficiently remove the weapon or weapons located on that belt.  In contrast, a weapon belt that is loosened can cause impaired movement and even tripping.  

Isaiah 45:2

“I go before you and make smooth the swells of land.  I shatter doors of bronze and cut through iron bars.”

Note:  This verse contains metaphors that indicate that God the Father made it possible for Cyrus to experience the military victories that he experienced.  

The content of Isaiah 41:2 is repeated below for reference.  

Isaiah 41:2

“Who has aroused one from the east, whom He calls in righteousness to His foot?  He delivers up nations before him and subdues kings.  He makes them like dust with his sword, as the wind-driven chaff with his bow.

Isaiah 41:3

“He pursues them, passing on in safety by a way he does not enter/go with his feet.

Note:  Unspecified in this verse and the surrounding verses is to what the phrase by a way he does not enter/go with his feet refers.  Because content of this verse involves the context of the way of travel and because absent from this verse and the surrounding verses is anything about the speed of travel, it is possible that the phrase by a way he does not enter/go with his feet refers to a path that Cyrus had not traveled previously.  In that regard, the use of a present tense in that phrase references what has occurred in the past.  Such a use of a present tense has a rhetorical effect.  In that regard, using a verb in a present tense to refer to the past can help a reader or hearer of the Word of God imagine past events as though the reader or hearer is watching those events as they occur.  Regardless of to what the phrase by a way he does not enter/go with his feet refers, this verse indicates that Cyrus pursues his enemies and that Cyrus remains safe.  

Isaiah 41:4

“Who has performed and accomplished, calling forth the generations from the beginning?  ‘I, Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, am the First and with the last.  I am He.ʼ”

Note:  Regarding what specific generations and what beginning are referenced in this verse, the reference to God the Father being the First and with the last provides context.  In that regard, because what specific generations and what beginning are unspecified and because God the Father is referenced as being the First and with the last, it is logical to conclude that this verse references all generations of humans and the beginning of humans.  The beginning of humans occurred when Adam was created.  

The content of this verse calls attention to the sovereignty [supreme authority] of God the Father.  With regard to the sovereignty of God the Father and the generations of humanity, God the Father has a plan for human history.  In that regard, each Member of the Trinity performs a different role.  Regarding the roles of the Members of the Trinity, God the Father does the planning, God the Son executes the plan, and God the Holy Spirit reveals the plan.  Because the Lord Jesus Christ is God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ controls history.  Regarding the Lord Jesus Christ controlling history, He does so while permitting each person to make decisions from his or her volition (free will).  Regarding the content of Isaiah 41:4, while the Lord Jesus Christ is the Member of the Trinity Who executes the plan of God the Father, the focus of this verse is on the sovereignty of God the Father regarding the planning.  

Isaiah 41:5

The coastlands/islands have seen and are afraid.  The ends of the earth tremble; they have drawn near, and they come.

Note:  The use of a present tense in the phrase they come references what has occurred in the past.  Such a use of a present tense has a rhetorical effect.  In that regard, using a verb in a present tense to refer to the past can help a reader or hearer of the Word of God imagine past events as though the reader or hearer is watching those events as they occur.  Unspecified in this verse and the surrounding verses is to where the people drew near.  

Isaiah 41:6

Each one helps his neighbor and says to his brother, “Be strong!”

Note:  The Gentiles mentioned in Isaiah 41:5 are the people referenced in Isaiah 41:6.  

Isaiah 41:7

The craftsman encourages the smelter.  He who smooths with the hammer encourages him who beats the anvil, saying of the soldering, “It is good.”  He fastens it with nails; it is not shaken / moved / caused to totter / caused to fall down.

Note:  The content of Isaiah 41:7 refers to the manufacture of idols.  In that regard, the things that people make are weak in comparison to the Trinity.  Whereas the Members of the Trinity are omnipotent [all-powerful], idols lack the power to keep themselves standing stably.  Instead of the idols having the power to keep themselves standing stably, the people who worship the idols manufacture the idols in such a manner so as to try to keep the idols standing stably.  In addition, rather than the idols being powerful life forms that determine whether the worshipers of the idols are of good quality, the people involved in the making of the idols try to convince each other that the lifeless idols are of good quality.  Regarding the foregoing, this verse calls attention to the ridiculousness of worshiping idols.  

Isaiah 41:8

“You, Israel, My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, offspring/seed/descendant of Abraham My friend,

Isaiah 41:9

you whom I have taken from the ends of the earth and have called from its remotest parts and say to you, ‘You are My servant; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.

Note:  God the Father has a plan for Israel, and that plan involves ensuring that the Israelites will never be completely destroyed.  

Isaiah 41:10

‘Do not fear, for I am with you.  Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your 'Elohiym / Godhead.  I have strengthened you.  Surely, I have helped you.  Surely, I have upheld you with My righteous right hand.’

Note:  The reference to a right hand is an anthropomorphism [an-thruh-puh-MOR-fiz-uhm].  An anthropomorphism is a usage of terminology involving a physical characteristic to describe a characteristic of the essence of the Trinity.  The anthropomorphism involving a right hand in this verse is a metaphor that calls attention to the power of God the Father.  

In this verse, the uses of the perfect tense in the phrase I have helped you and the phrase I have upheld you with My righteous right hand are references to what occurs.  Such uses of the perfect tense have a rhetorical effect.  In that regard, why would verbs in the perfect tense be used to refer to what occurs?  Doing so in reference to something being indicated can communicate that what occurs is 100% certain to happen and that because it is 100% certain to happen, it is as though it has happened already.  

Isaiah 41:11

“Behold, all those who are angered at you are shamed and dishonored.  Those who contend with you are as nothing and perish.

Note:  The uses of a present tense in verbs in this verse reference what will occur in the future from the perspective of Isaiah and the people who lived when Isaiah initially communicated this message.  Such uses of a present tense have a rhetorical effect.  In that regard, using a verb in a present tense to refer to the future can help a reader or hearer of the Word of God imagine future events as though the reader or hearer is watching those events as they occur.  

Isaiah 41:12

“You seek those who quarrel with you but do not find them.  Those who war with you are as nothing and non-existent.

Note:  The uses of a present tense in verbs in this verse reference what will occur in the future from the perspective of Isaiah and the people who lived when Isaiah initially communicated this message.  

Isaiah 41:13

“Certainly, I am Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One your 'Elohiym/Godhead, Who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, ‘Do not fear; I have helped you.’

Note:  In this verse, the use of the perfect tense in the phrase I have helped you is a reference to what occurs.  As mentioned in the notes for verse 10, using verbs in the perfect tense to refer to what occurs can communicate that what occurs is 100% certain to happen and that because it is 100% certain to happen, it is as though it has happened already.  

Isaiah 41:14

“Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel; I have helped you,”—a declaration of Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, “your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Note:  In Isaiah 41:14, the word worm is a metaphorical reference.  From the context of this verse and the next one, the worm metaphor calls attention to the helplessness of the Israelites to deliver themselves.  Instead, the Israelites needed God the Father to help them.  In that regard, God the Father helps the helpless.  

In this verse, the Hebrew word that is translated as “Redeemer” is is גֹאֲלֵ [pronounced goh-ah-LAY and can be transliterated as Go'ale], which is an inflected form of the root word גָּאַל [pronounced gah-AL and can be transliterated as Ga'al].  (Hebrew is written and read from right to left.)  The usage of Go'ale in this verse evokes—in other words, brings to mind—the function of a kinsman-redeemer.  Under the regulations of the Mosaic Law, a kinsman-redeemer takes care of family members and avenges family members when injustice is done to those family members.  The term Mosaic Law refers to the laws communicated by Moses to the ancient Israelites.  Because Moses communicated those laws, they are known collectively as the Mosaic Law.  Now that the Lord Jesus Christ has been judged for the sins of humanity, the Mosaic Law has been fulfilled.  The functions of a kinsman-redeemer are teaching illustrations for learning about the Lord Jesus Christ.  

Isaiah 41:15

“Behold, I have made you a new, sharp threshing sledge with double edges; you thresh the mountains and pulverize and make the hills like chaff.

Note:  The uses of a present tense in verbs in this verse reference what will occur in the future.  Also, this verse metaphorically refers to the Israelites defeating enemies.  In addition, there could be a time or times in which Israelites literally use weaponry to do tremendous damage to mountains and hills.  Such damage could occur during attacks on fortifications under mountains or hills, for example.  

Isaiah 41:16

“You winnow them, and the wind carries them away, and the storm scatters them, and you rejoice in Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One.  You glory in the Holy One of Israel.

Note:  The uses of a present tense in verbs in this verse reference what will occur in the future.  As with verse 15, this verse metaphorically refers to the Israelites defeating enemies.  

Isaiah 41:17

“The poor/afflicted/needy and needy/destitute/poor are seeking water, but there is none.  Their tongue has been parched with thirst.  I, Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, answer them Myself.  I, the 'Elohiym/Godhead of Israel, do not forsake them.

Note:  Two different words referring to people suffering from poverty are in Isaiah 41:17.  The content of the third and fourth sentences of this verse and the content of verses 18–20 refer to the Millennium, the 1,000-year reign of the Lord Jesus Christ on the earth.  With regard to the Millennium, below is a synopsis of human history as categorized into time periods known as dispensations.  In the below synopsis, there is the term hypostatic union [high-PUH-stat-ick YOON-yuhn].  This refers to the Lord Jesus Christ being 100% Deity and 100% humanity.  The English word hypostatic is derived from the Koine [KOI-nay] Greek word ὑπόστασις [pronounced hoo-PAH-stah-sees and transliterated as hypostasis].  After the Lord Jesus Christ was judged for the sins of humanity, His body was in the grave for three days and three nights.  He was then resurrected, and He was on the earth for forty days after He was resurrected.  He then ascended to Heaven, and ten days after that, the Day of Pentecost [PEN-tih-kahst] occurred.  The Day of Pentecost was the beginning of the Church Age.  The word Pentecost is derived from the Koine Greek word πεντηκοστή [pronounced pen-tay-kah-STAY and transliterated as pentēkostē].  That word is derived from the Koine Greek word πεντήκοντα [pronounced pen-TAY-kahn-tah and transliterated as pentēkonta], which means “fifty.”  Therefore, the word Pentecost is derived from the fact that that day occurred fifty days after the Lord was resurrected.  In that regard, the Church Age began fifty days after the Lord was resurrected.  The Church Age will end with the Rapture.  The Rapture involves both deceased and living believers in the Lord Jesus Christ meeting the Lord in the clouds in the atmosphere of the earth, receiving glorified immortal resurrection bodies similar to the Lord Jesus Christʼs glorified resurrection body, and going to Heaven with those resurrection bodies.  Before the Rapture occurs, deceased believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are in Heaven without glorified bodies.  Absent from the Bible is anything specifically indicating the precise date and time when the Rapture will occur, although it is possible that the Rapture will occur on the day of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah [yahm tuh-ROO-uh or yohm tuh-ROO-uh]—which is what some people call Rosh Hashanah and which some people celebrate for two days—the next occurrence of which will possibly be during August, September, or October of 2026.  

Regarding the word judgment, the proper way to spell that word is without an e between the dg and the m.  In that regard, the e of the root word judge is dropped when the suffix ment is added to that root word.  The formation of the word judgment is shown below.  

judge −e +ment

= judg +ment

= judgment

Another way to categorize human history is by means of civilizations.  Civilizations begin only with believers.  Regarding the timing of civilizations and dispensations, the first civilization began with Adam and ended on the occasion of the Great Flood (also known as the Flood).  That civilization is known as the antediluvian civilization and the predulivian civilization.  In that regard, the prefixes ante and pre mean “before.”  Also, there are various spellings of the adjectives that refer to the time before the Flood.  Those spellings include antediluvian, ante-diluvian, prediluvian, and pre-diluvian.  

After the Flood, there were only eight believers on the earth:  Noah, his wife, their three sons, and their sonsʼ wives.  With the removal of the unbelievers from the earth on the occasion of the Flood, a new civilization was started.  That civilization is known as the postdiluvian civilization (also known as the postdiluvial civilization).  Regarding the terminology, the prefix post means “after,” and the adjectives diluvian and diluvial mean “having to do with a flood.”  Also, there are various spellings of the adjectives that refer to the time after the Flood.  Those spellings include postdiluvian, post-diluvian, postdiluvial, and post-diluvial.  The postdiluvian civilization will end on the occasion of the Second Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ.  On the occasion of the Second Advent, the Lord will remove all unbelievers from the earth.  Their removal will be by means of physical death just as the removal of all unbelievers was by means of physical death on the occasion of the Flood.  This is called the Baptism of Fire, which is either a metaphorical description because fire can be used to represent judgment or a literal reference to the use of fire in the judgment of unbelievers on the occasion of the Second Advent.  The Baptism of Fire is referenced in Matthew 3:11–12; Luke 3:15–17; and 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9.  

Just as a new civilization started after the Flood, so also a new civilization will start after the Baptism of Fire.  That civilization is called the Millennium.  The Millennium is both a civilization and a dispensation.  The Eternal State is also both a civilization and a dispensation.  

Isaiah 41:18

“I open rivers on the bare heights and springs in the midst of the valleys; I make the wilderness a pool of water and the dry land fountains of water.

Isaiah 41:19

“I put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the oil tree / olive tree / wild olive tree.  I place in the desert the juniper / cypress / fir, the box tree / hardwood tree / elm tree / oak tree / pine tree, and the cypress / box tree, 

Note:  In this verse, seven types of trees are listed.  The number seven is associated with completeness.  In that regard, the content of this verse calls attention to the completeness of God the Fatherʼs grace.  

Isaiah 41:20

that they may see and recognize and consider and gain insight as well, that the hand of Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One has done this and the Holy One of Israel has created it.

Note:  The reference to a hand is an anthropomorphism [an-thruh-puh-MOR-fiz-uhm].  An anthropomorphism is a usage of terminology involving a physical characteristic to describe a characteristic of the essence of the Trinity.  The anthropomorphism involving a hand in this verse is a metaphor that calls attention to the power of God the Father.  

Isaiah 41:21

“Bring near / Present / Produce your case,” Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One says.  “Bring forward your strong arguments,” the King of Jacob says.

Note:  Isaiah 41:23 provides context for Isaiah 41:21.  The addressees of Isaiah 41:21 are the false gods mentioned in Isaiah 41:23.  

Isaiah 41:22

They bring forth and declare to us what is going to take place.  As for the former events, declare what they are, that we may consider them and know their outcome or announce to us what is coming.

Isaiah 41:23

Declare the things that are going to come afterward, that we may know that you are 'elohiym / gods.  Indeed, do good or evil, that we may anxiously look about us and fear together.

Note:  The word translated gods with a lowercase g in Isaiah 41:23 is אֱלֹהִים [pronounced el-oh-HEEM and can be transliterated in this context as 'elohiym].  Depending on the context, אֱלֹהִים could refer to false gods, to angels, to human rulers or judges, or to the Godhead [i.e., the Trinity].  When referring to the Godhead, אֱלֹהִים is transliterated as 'Elohiym.  The context for Isaiah 41:23 is such that אֱלֹהִים refers to false gods.  

Isaiah 41:24

Behold, you are of no account / of nothing, and your work amounts to nothing.  He who chooses you is an abomination.

Note:  The content of Isaiah 41:24 references false gods and those who choose to worship the false gods.  

Isaiah 41:25

“I have aroused one from the north, and he has come.  From the rising of the sun, he calls on My name, and he comes upon rulers as upon mortar, even as the potter treads clay.”

Note:  Isaiah 41:25 is a reference to Cyrus, the ruler of Persia.  While Persia wasnʼt directly north of Israel, the geography of the region was such that a military traveling from Persia would typically be coming from the north when entering Israel.  Also, the phrase the rising of the sun refers to the east.  Persia was to the east of Israel.  

Isaiah 41:26

Who has declared this from the beginning, that we may know, or from former times, that we may say, “He is right!”?  Surely, there is no one who declares.  Surely, there is no one who proclaims.  Surely, there is no one who hears your words:  

Note:  No false gods predicted the rise of Cyrus.  Instead, God the Father predicted the rise of Cyrus.  

Isaiah 41:27

“First to Zion, ‘Behold, here they are,’ and to Jerusalem, ‘I give a messenger of good news.’

Note:  Zion [ZIGH-uhn] is the mountain on which Jerusalem is located.  Also, the word Zion can be used to refer to Jerusalem.  In addition, the word Zion can be used to refer to Israelites.  

Cyrus would be the messenger of good news.  He would be a messenger of good news in two ways.  First, the fulfilling of prophecy when Cyrus would rise would reveal that what God the Father predicted is true.  In that regard, Cyrusʼs rise would reveal the omniscience [ahm-NISH-uhns] [all-knowingness], sovereignty [supreme authority], and omnipotence [all-powerfulness] of God the Father.  Second, Cyrusʼs rise would result in Israelites returning from exile to Judah.  

Isaiah 41:28

“I look; there is no one.  There is no counselor among them who / out of those who, if I ask, can give an answer.

Isaiah 41:29

“Behold, all of them are false [another reading is nothing].  Their works are worthless.  Their molten images are wind and emptiness/confusion/waste/nothingness.

Note:  In this verse, the phrase all of them refers either to the idols or to the idols and the people who worship idols.  Both instances of the pronoun Their in this verse refer to the people who make idols.  The word works and the phrase molten images in this verse refer to idols.  In that regard, the content of this verse indicates that idols are unable to help people.  

Sincerely,

John