John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 45:21

"Declare ye, and bring [it] forth; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath showed this from ancient time? who hath declared it of old? have not I, Jehovah? and there is no God else besides me, a just God and a Saviour; there is none besides me." — Isaiah 45:21 (ASV)

Tell ye. He again challenges all those who might have troubled the Jews and shaken their faith with their taunts, for he always keeps this objective in view: to strengthen the faith of the people against all the attacks of the Gentiles. In the midst of such numerous and severe temptations, there was a danger that the Jews might sink under their terrible afflictions if there had not been powerful arguments on the other side to persuade them to continue to worship and trust the true God. Therefore, he allows the heathen to produce and bring forward everything they can find to support their cause.

Let them also take counsel together. These words are added to inspire greater confidence. For the Prophet means, as we have already said, that they will gain nothing, even if they “take counsel” among themselves and enter into a conspiracy. Yet, perhaps, he also intended to make it evident that there is nothing but groundless pretense and falsehood in all that infidels devise to excuse their errors.

Whatever then may be the showy display with which they pride themselves on their inventions, the Prophet shows that the word of God will be abundantly strong to support the faith of believers. He challenges them to a strict examination, in order to compare all that infidels boast of as having been foretold by their idols with the Law and the prophets.

I readily admit what is generally believed—that the Prophet speaks of the redemption of the people. However, since the overthrow of the Babylonian monarchy was also connected with it, I think that it is included as well.

Who hath proclaimed this from the beginning? Because there is a repetition of the same statement, מקדם (mikkedem) and מאז (meaz) mean the same thing, as if he had said, “from the beginning,” or, “from of old,” for this prophecy was published long before the event occurred. Hence, believers could conclude with certainty that God had spoken.

And a savior. To foreknowledge he adds power, as in a previous passage. Yet he also describes for what purposes he exerts his power: that is, for “saving” his people.