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NASB | Isaiah 45:11 ¶ Thus says the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: "Ask Me about the things to come concerning My sons, And you shall commit to Me the work of My hands. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Isaiah 45:11 ¶ For the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker says this, "Ask Me about the things to come concerning My sons, And give Me orders concerning the work of My hands. |
Bible Question: Hank,...I'm a bit of a computer neophyte. I still have a question about Isaiah 45:11. Can you direct me to a good on-line commentary..or how to post on the 'forum'? My question concerns the last words in verse 11..'command ye me.' The KJV and NASB seems to have the same sense while the NIV seems to change the sense dramatically. Thanks, Dennis |
Bible Answer: Dennis There are two takes on this verse. One as presented by the New Living translation is Isaiah 45:11 This is what the Lord, the Creator and Holy One of Israel, says: "Do you question what I do? Do you give me orders about the work of my hands? Here the Translator seems to think God appears to asking challenging question. Do you question me? However MacArthur feels it God asking the children of Israel to ask Him about the future. 45:11 Ask Me of things to come. The Lord commands Israel to seek information about what He will do for the nation in the future, for He will reveal it. MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Is 45:11). Nashville: Word Pub. Matthew Henry gives both points of view. The people of God in captivity, who reconciled themselves to the will of God in their affliction and were content to wait his time for their deliverance, are here assured that they should not wait in vain. I. They are invited to enquire concerning the issue of their troubles, v. 11. The Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, though he does not allow them to strive with him, yet encourages them, 1. To consult his word: "Ask of me things to come; have recourse to the prophets and their prophecies, and see what they say concerning these things. Ask the watchmen, What of the night? Ask them, How long?’’ Things to come, as far as they are revealed, belong to us and to our children, and we must not be strangers to them. 2. To seek unto him by prayer: "Concerning my sons and concerning the work of my hands, which as becomes them submit to the will of their Father, the will of their potter, command you me, not by way of prescription, but by way of petition. Be earnest in your requests, and confident in your expectations, as far as both are guided by and grounded upon the promise.’’ We may not strive with our Maker by passionate complaints, but we may wrestle with him by faithful and fervent prayer. My sons, and the work of my hands, commend to me (so some read it), bring them to me and leave them with me. See the power of prayer, and its prevalency with God: Thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am; what would you that I should do unto you? Some read it with an interrogation, as carrying on the reproof (v. 9, 10): Do you question me concerning things to come? and am I bound to give you an account? And concerning my children, even concerning the work of my hands, will you command me, or prescribe to me? Dare you do so? Shall any teach God knowledge, or give law to him? Those that complain of God do in effect assume an authority over him. Henry, M. (1996, c1991). Matthew Henry's commentary on the whole Bible : Complete and unabridged in one volume (Is 45:11). Peabody: Hendrickson. EdB |