What does Isaias Chapter 41 say, and which statements belong to its speaker?

Atlas of Saints · Chapter summary

The account retains the chapter’s particular images, requests and conditions. The speaker’s claims and the edition’s interpretations remain attributed. Unstated motives and general guarantees are not supplied as source facts.

Chapter breakdown

Isaias 41 calls islands to silence and nations to take strength and approach judgment. Questions concern the just one raised from the east, nations and kings given before his sword and bow, peaceful pursuit and an unseen path. The Lord answers as first and last, calling generations from the beginning. Islands fear and earth's ends are astonished; neighbors encourage each other and a coppersmith and forger strengthen their work with nails against movement. Frantic manufacture of newly wooden idols is not specifically narrated.

Israel is addressed as servant, chosen Jacob and Abraham's seed. Called from distant earth and not rejected, Israel is told not to fear or turn aside, with strengthening, help and the right hand of the just one upholding. Fighters become ashamed, perish and cannot be found. The Lord takes Israel by the hand. Worm Jacob and those dead of Israel receive the Redeemer's help. A new thrashing wain with saw-like teeth breaks mountains and makes hills chaff; wind and whirlwind scatter them, and Israel rejoices.

The thirsty poor seek absent water and receive a promise of hearing and no abandonment. Rivers open in high hills, fountains in plains, pools in desert and streams in impassable land. Cedar, thorn, myrtle, olive, fir, elm and box tree are planted together. The edition identifies thorn as shitta or setim resembling white thorn. These acts are intended to make people know the Lord's creating hand; aromatic qualities, bubbling fountains and a sudden timetable are not added.

The King of Jacob calls for a case, explanation of former things and declaration of future things. Doing good or evil is challenged as evidence of divine status. Nothingness and abomination are pronounced. One raised from north and sunrise calls the Lord's name and treats princes like dirt and potter's clay. No earlier declaration or answering counsellor is found; Sion hears an announcement and Jerusalem receives an evangelist. Idols end as wind and vanity. The chapter does not identify this figure by name or promise every reader freedom from every earthly crisis.

The story inside

Opening: The account retains the chapter’s particular images, requests and conditions. Development: The speaker’s claims and the edition’s interpretations remain attributed. Conclusion: Unstated motives and general guarantees are not supplied as source facts.

Lessons worth keeping

1
The account retains the chapter’s particular images, requests and conditions.
2
The speaker’s claims and the edition’s interpretations remain attributed.
3
Unstated motives and general guarantees are not supplied as source facts.

Test your recall

Which images and requests does the speaker use, and what does the chapter leave unresolved?

Source edition and notes

Douay–Rheims, revised by Richard Challoner (1749–1752). Project Gutenberg no. 1581. Locators refer to lines in the admitted pg1581.txt edition. Source notes may include Challoner commentary.

Lines 81916–81918
41:10. Fear not, for I am with thee: turn not aside, for I am thy God: I have strengthened thee, and have helped thee, and the right hand of my just one hath upheld thee.
Lines 81943–81945
41:17. The needy and the poor seek for waters, and there are none: their tongue hath been dry with thirst. I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.