Matthew Henry Commentary Isaiah 44:1-8

"Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant, and Israel, who I have chosen: Thus saith Jehovah that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, who will help thee: Fear not, O Jacob my servant; and thou, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and streams upon the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: and they shall spring up among the grass, as willows by the watercourses. One shall say, I am Jehovah`s; and another shall call [himself] by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto Jehovah, and surname [himself] by the name of Israel. Thus saith Jehovah, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, Jehovah of hosts: I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God. And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I established the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and that shall come to pass, let them declare. Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have I not declared unto thee of old, and showed it? and ye are my witnesses. Is there a God besides me? yea, there is no Rock; I know not any." — Isaiah 44:1-8 (ASV)

Israel is here called Jeshurun, which means "the upright one." Only such are Israelites indeed, in whom is no guile. Those who serve God, He will acknowledge. He will help them through difficulties and in their service.

Water is the emblem of the Holy Spirit; as water refreshes, cleanses, and makes the earth fruitful, so do His influences refresh, cleanse, and make the soul fruitful. This gift of the Holy Spirit is the great blessing, the plentiful outpouring of which God reserved for the latter days. Where God gives His Spirit, He will give all other blessings. Through this, there will be a great increase of the church; thus it will be spread to distant places.

Was there any other Rock, or Protector, who could defend them? No one else could foretell these things to come, of which God gave notice through His prophets. All was set in order in the Divine predictions, as well as in the Divine purposes. Could any other have done so? Who can compare with Israel's Redeemer and King?