Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 7. I form the light, and create darkness] It was the great principle of the Magian religion, which prevailed in Persia in the time of Cyrus, and in which probably he was educated, that there are two supreme, co-eternal, and independent causes always acting in opposition one to the other; one the author of all good, the other of all evil. The good being they called LIGHT; the evil being, DARKNESS. That when LigHt had the ascendant, then good and happtness prevailed among men; when DARKNESS had the superiority, then eviI and misery abounded. An opinion that contradicts the clearest evidence of our reason, which plainly leads us to the acknowledgment of one only Supreme Being, infinitely good as well as powerful. With reference to this absurd opinion, held by the person to whom this prophecy is addressed, God, by his prophet, in the most significant terms, asserts his omnipotence and absolute supremacy:- "I am JEHOVAH, and none else; Forming light, and creating darkness, Making peace, and creating evil: I JEHOVAH am the author of all these things." Declaring that those powers whom the Persians held to be the original authors of good and evil to mankind, representing them by light and darkness, as their proper emblems, are no other than creatures of God, the instruments which he employs in his government of the world, ordained or permitted by him in order to execute his wise and just decrees; and that there is no power, either of good or evil, independent of the one supreme God, infinite in power and in goodness.
There were, however, some among the Persians whose sentiments were more moderate as to this matter; who held the evil principle to be in some measure subordinate to the good; and that the former would at length be wholly subdued by the latter. See Hyde, De Relig. Vet. Pers. cap. xxii.
That this opinion prevailed among the Persians as early as the time of Cyrus we may, I think, infer not only from this passage of Isaiah, which has a manifest reference to it, but likewise from a passage in Xenophon's Cyropaedia, where the same doctrine is applied to the human mind.
Araspes, a noble young Persian, had fallen in love with the fair captive Panthea, committed to his charge by Cyrus. After all his boasting that he was superior to the assaults of that passion, he yielded so far to it as even to threaten violence if she would not comply with his desires. Awed by the reproof of Cyrus, fearing his displeasure, and having by cool reflection recovered his reason; in his discourse with him on this subject he says: "O Cyrus, I have certainly two souls; alld this piece of philosophy I have learned from that wicked sophist, Love. For if I had but one soul, it would not be at the same time good and evil, it would not at the same time approve of honourable and base actions; and at once desire to do, and refuse to do, the very same things. But it is plain that I am animated by two souls, and when the good soul prevails, I do what is virtuous; and when the evil one prevails, I attempt what is vicious. But now the good soul prevails, having gotten you for her assistant, and has clearly gained the superiority. " Lib. vi. p. 424.
I make peace, and create evil] Evil is here evidently put for war and its attendant miseries. I will procure peace for the Israelites, and destroy Babylon by war. I form light, and create darkness. Now, as darkness is only the privation of light, so the evil of war is the privation of peace.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- Here are promises of the influences of the Holy Spirit. (Is. 44:1-8) A exposure of the folly of idolatry. (Is. 44:9-20) Also the deliveranc of God's people. (Is. 44:21-28)
Is. 44:1-8 Israel is here called Jeshurun, which means "the uprigh one." Such only are Israelites indeed, in whom is no guile. Those tha serve God he will own. He will help them over difficulties, and in their services. Water is the emblem of the Holy Spirit; as wate refreshes, cleanses, and makes the earth fruitful, so do his influence 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 great increase of the church; thus it shall be spread to distan 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? Wh can compare with Israel's Redeemer and King?
Is. 44:9-20 Image-making is described, to expose the folly of idolaters. Though a man had used part of a log for fuel, he fell dow before an image made of the remainder, praying it to deliver him. Ma greatly dishonours God, when he represents him after the image of man Satan blinds the eyes of unbelievers, causing absurd reasonings i matters of religion. Whether men seek happiness in worldly things, or run into unbelief, superstition, or any false system, they feed of ashes. A heart deceived by pride, love of sin, and departure from God turns men aside from his holy truth and worship. While the affection are depraved, a man holds fast the lie as his best treasure. Are ou hearts set upon the wealth of the world and its pleasures? They wil certainly prove a lie. If we trust to outward professions and doings as if those would save us, we deceive ourselves. Self-suspicion is the first step towards self-deliverance. He that would deliver his soul must question his conscience, Is there not a lie in my right hand?
Is. 44:21-28 Return unto me. It is the great concern of those who have backslidden from God, like the Jews of old, to hasten their return to him. The work of redemption wrought for us by Christ, encourages to hope for all blessings from him. Our transgressions and our sins are a a thick cloud between heaven and earth: sins separate between us an God; they threaten a storm of wrath. When God pardons sin, he blot out, he dispels this cloud, this thick cloud, so that the way to heave is open again. The cloud is scattered by the Sun of righteousness; it is quite gone. The comforts that flow into the soul when sin is pardoned, are like clear shining after clouds and rain. Let not Israe be discouraged; nothing is too hard for God: having made all, he can make what use he pleases of any. Those that learn to know Christ, se all knowledge to be foolishness, in comparison with the knowledge of him. And his enemies will find their counsels turned into foolishness and themselves taken in their craftiness. The exact fulfilling the prophecies of Scripture confirms the truth of the whole, and proves it Divine origin. The particular favours God designed for his people i captivity, were foretold here, long before they went into captivity Very great difficulties would be in the way of their deliverance; but it is promised that by Divine power they should all be removed. God knew who should be the Deliverer of his people; and let his church know it, that when they heard such a name talked of, they might know their redemption drew nigh. It is the greatest honour of the greatest men, to be employed as instruments of the Divine favour to his people. I things wherein men serve themselves, and look no further, God make them do all his pleasure. And a nobler Shepherd than Cyrus does his Father's will, till his work is fully completed _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew יוצר3335 אור216 ובורא1254 חשׁך2822 עשׂה6213 שׁלום7965 ובורא1254 רע7451 אני589 יהוה3068 עשׂה6213 כל3605 אלה׃428
