Matthew Poole and continuators on Isaiah 41:2

2 Who raised up the righteous man from the East , called him to his foot gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings ? he gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow.

What man or God? Was it not my alone work? The Idols were so far from assisting me, that they did their utmost to oppose me in it.

Into Being and Power, stirring up his Spirit, and strengthning him to the work.

Heb. Righteousness, which is put for a man of Righteousness, as Pride is put for a proud man, Psal. 36. 11. and Deceit for a deceitful man, Psal. 109. 2. For it is evident from the following words, that he spake here of a person: But who this person is, is much disputed by interpreters. Some understand it of Christ. And doubtless the Person here spoken of was an eminent Type of Christ, and so in a mystical sence it may belong to him. But the things here said to be done by this Righteous Man, seems to agree much better unto a man of War, than unto the Prince of Peace. And therefore this place is immediately understood either. 1. Of Abraham, who was a Person eminently Righteous, and came out of Chaldea, which sometimes seems to be called the East, as Isa. 2. 6. Zech. 8. 7. who did the things here mentioned; partly in his own person, conquering five Kings and the Nations with them, Gen. 14. and following God he knew not whither; and partly by his posterity; whose exploits may well be ascribed to him, not onely because he came out of his Loynes, but also and especially, because all their successes and vistories were given to them for Abrahams sake, and by the vertue of Gods promise and Covenant made with Abraham, for the giving of Canaan to him and to his Seed for ever. And this Interpretation may seem to receive some countenance from ver. 5▪ 6. which agrees well to the practice of the Canaa[illegible: 1+ letters]ites and Neighbouring Nations; who upon Israels March towards th[illegible: 1+ letters] were filled with great co[illegible: 1+ letters]ternation, and used all possible diligence in seeking both to their Idols, and to men for help against them, as we read in that sacred History. And thus Gods argument against Idolatry, is taken from an illustrious example of Gods infinite Power, put forth in saving his people, and destroying their enemies before them; and of the impotency of Idols to hinder him in that work: Or, 2. Of Cyrus, who might be called a Righteous man: Or, as it is in the Hebrew, a man of Righteousness, because he was Raised up in Righteousness, as it is said of him, Isa. 45. 13. and was Gods great Instrument to manifest his Righteousness; both his Faithfulness, in fulfilling his promise of delivering his people out of Babylon after seventy years (Righteousness being often put for Faithfulness) and his Justice, in Punishing the Enemies and Oppressors of his People, the wicked Babylonians; upon which account the Medes, who served under Cyrus in his expedition against the Babylonians, are called Gods Sanctified Ones, Isa. 13. 3, 17. And all the other expressions here used are very applicable to him, and were verified in him. He came from the East, from Persia which was directly eastward, both from Iudea and from Babylon, and which is called the East in this very case, Isa. 46. 11. He was raised up by God in an eminent and extraordinary manner, as is noted both by sacred and profane Historians; and therefore this very word is used concerning him and his Army, not onely here, but elsewhere; as Isa. 13. 17. Ier. 50. 9. and 51. 1, 11. To him also all the following passages agree, as we shall see. And although this great person & action were yet to come▪ yet the Prophet speaks of them as if they were already past, as the Prophets most frequently do. And as in the clause of the former Chapter he speaks of Gods People, as if they were actually in the captivity of Babylon, ver. 27. so here he speaks of them, as if they were actually brought out of Babylon by Cyrus. And by this instance he pleads his cause against the Gentiles and their Idols; because this was an evident proof of Gods Almighty Power, and of the vanity and weakness of Idols, which eminently appeared in the destruction of the Babylonians, who were a People mad upon their Idols, as is said, Ier. 50. 38. and yet were destroyed together with their Idols, Ier. 51. 47.

From a Country Eastward from Iudea, as Chaldea was in part, but Persia more directly.

To march after him, and under Gods Banner against Babylon. Thus Baraks Army is said to be at his feet, Iudg. 4. 10. Compare, also Gen. 30. 30.

Subdued Nations and their Kings before him.

To be beaten by him as small as dust, as is said, Psal. 18. 42. Or, to be put to flight as easily as the dust is scattered by the wind, as the following clause expounds this.

Marginal references: Heb. righteousness.; Chap. 46. 12, 11.; See Gen. 14. 14, &c.