Matthew Poole and continuators on Isaiah 45:9

9. Wo unto him that striveth with his maker : let the potsherd strive with the potsherds. of the earth : shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work , He hath no Hands ?

This wo is denounced; Either 1. against those Iews who hearing this and many other Prophecies, and Promises of their deliverance out of Captivity, and yet continuing in Captivity, were ever prone to distrust God, and to murmure at him for punishing them so grievously, and for not making more speed to deliver them. Or 2. against the Babylonians, the great opposers of Cyrus, and of the deliverance of God's People, whom they were resolved to keep in Bondage, in spight of God and Men. And therefore, as God here makes many glorious Promises to Cyrus, in order to this Work, so he pronounceth a Curse upon them, who should indeavour to hinder it; and admonisheth the Babylonians, That they did not onely fight against Cyrus, a Man like themselves, but against God, the Maker and Governor of the World. For what Nebuchadnezzar spoke with respect to those three Jews, Dan. 3. 15. the Babylonians spoke in their Hearts, in reference to the People of the Iews, Who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

Contend, if you please, with your fellow Creatures, but not with your Creator.

He turneth his Speech to the Potter, of whom he spake in the Third Person in the foregoing Clause; such sudden Changes of Persons being usual in Prophetical Writings.

The Potter that made me, had no hands, i. e. no ability or skill to make good Work.

Marginal references: Chap. 29. 16. Jer. 18. 6. Rom. 9. 20.