John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 41:28

"And when I look, there is no man: even among them there is no counsellor, that, when I ask of them, can answer a word." — Isaiah 41:28 (ASV)

I looked, and there was none. After having spoken of himself, the Lord returns to idols, for these are continued contrasts by which a comparison is drawn between God and idols. As if he had said, “I do these things, but idols cannot do them; they have no counsel, or wisdom, or understanding; they cannot give an answer to those who ask them, and cannot yield any alleviation to the wretched.” In this comparison, we ought to observe that he plainly shows himself to be God, first, by the prophets and by their doctrine, and, secondly, by his works in a similar manner; and that nothing of this kind is found in idols; from which it follows that they are not gods, and that we ought to rely on him alone.

Besides, the eyes of men are darkened by slothfulness, because they neither inquire, nor consider, nor observe. Thus they are stupefied by idols, for they are willingly deceived, because they would immediately perceive the emptiness of idols if they carefully applied their minds to examine them. This shows that idolaters cannot be excused on the plea of ignorance, for they choose to be blind and to wander in darkness, rather than to see the light and embrace the truth.