441 "But now listen , O Jacob , My servant , And Israel , whom I have chosen : 2 Thus says the Lord who made you And formed you from the womb , who will help you, ' Do not fear , O Jacob My servant ; And you Jeshurun whom I have chosen . 3 'For I will pour out water on the thirsty land And streams on the dry ground ; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring And My blessing on your descendants ; 4 And they will spring up among the grass Like poplars by streams of water .' 5 "This one will say , 'I am the Lord'S '; And that one will call on the name of Jacob ; And another will write on his hand , 'Belonging to the Lord ,' And will name Israel's name with honor . 6 "Thus says the Lord , the King of Israel and his Redeemer , the Lord of hosts : 'I am the first and I am the last , And there is no God besides e Me. 7 'Who is like Me? Let him proclaim and declare it; Yes, let him recount it to Me in order , From the time that I established the ancient nation . And let them declare to them the things that are coming And the events that are going to take place . 8 'Do not tremble and do not be afraid ; Have I not long since announced it to you and declared it? And you are My witnesses . Is there any God besides e Me, Or is there any other Rock ? I know of none .' "
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 44:1-8
Commentary on Isaiah 44:1-8
(Read Isaiah 44:1-8)
Israel is here called Jeshurun, which means "the upright one." Such only are Israelites indeed, in whom is no guile. Those that serve God he will own. He will help them over difficulties, and in their services. Water is the emblem of the Holy Spirit; as water refreshes, cleanses, and makes the earth fruitful, so do his influences the soul. This gift of the Holy Ghost is the great blessing, the plentiful pouring out of which God kept for the latter days. Where God gives his Spirit, he will give all other blessings. Hereby shall be a great increase of the church; thus it shall be spread to distant places. Was there any other Rock, or Protector, that could defend them? None besides could foretell these things to come, of which God by his prophets gave notice. All was set in order in the Divine predictions, as well as in the Divine purposes. Could any other have done so? Who can compare with Israel's Redeemer and King?