Charles Spurgeon Commentary Isaiah 41:2

"Who hath raised up one from the east, whom he calleth in righteousness to his foot? he giveth nations before him, and maketh him rule over kings; he giveth them as the dust to his sword, as the driven stubble to his bow." — Isaiah 41:2 (ASV)

Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his east, 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.

He pursued them, and passed safely; even by the way that he had not gone with his feet.

These words are supposed to allude to Cyrus, who came "from the east" and conquered "the nations," and then did good to the house of Israel. It was God who spoke of Cyrus long before he was born.

What idol god has been able to utter any prophecy? Only the Most High who lives in heaven can foretell things to come.

One of the best proofs of our holy religion is found in the prophecies which have been fulfilled to the letter in various countries and at different periods. Now, when they dig up old stones that have been hidden for hundreds of years from human eyes, they see proof of how God saw into the future and commanded His prophets to foretell the things that were to come.