Matthew Poole and continuators on Isaiah 41:23

23. Shew the things that are to come hereafter: that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil , that we may be dismayed, and behold it together .

That we may have, if not a certain proof, yet at least a probable argument of your Deity. It may be Objected that the Devil hath foretold future events by Idols: but it may be answered, that such predictions were but rare, and oftentimes w[illegible: 1+ letters]re false, and confuted by the event; and generally were dark, and doubtful, as hath been noted; and when they were verified by the event, that was onely done by Divine Permission and revelation, for the tryal or punishment of wicked men, of which we have an instance, Deut. 13. 1, 2, 3. and therefore doth no more prove them to be Gods, than the predictions made known by God unto the Prophets, proved them to be Gods.

Protect and Bless your Worshippers whom I intend to destroy, and destroy my People whom I design to save, and then you have some colour to assert your Deity. But alas! You can neither do good nor evil.

That I and my People may be astonished, and confounded, and forced to acknowledg your Godhead.

Marginal references: Jer. 10. 5.