Matthew Poole and continuators on Isaiah 41:22

22. Let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen : let them shew the former things what they be, that we may consider them , and know the latter end of them ; or declare us things for to come .

Either the Idols: Or, which is all one, the Idolaters in the name and by the help of their Idols.

All future events; which he divides into two sorts in the following clause, the former and the later, as we shall see.

Which is not to be understood of such things as are past, for such things might easily be known by men from History, much more by the Devils who possessed and acted in their Idols, but of such things as should shortly come to pass, which may be better discerned, than those things which are yet at a great distance. So he propounds the easiest part first. Let us try whether they can foretel those things which are eve[illegible: 1+ letters] at the door, and if so we will try them further. Let them tell us what things shall happen, and in what order, which first, and which last.

Heb. and we will set our heart to it; we will allow the argument its due weight, and either fairly answer it, or give up our cause against Idols.

That we may know, or let us know by their information.

The consequence of them, whether the events did answer to their predictions: Or, what things happened next after those former things.

To wit, hereafter, or after a long time; which limitation may be easily gathered, both from the opposition of this clause to the former, and from the next following clause, where it is so limited and explained.

Marginal references: Chap. 45. 21 & 46. 10.; Heb. set ou[illegible: 1+ letters] heart upon them.