43:9 Let all the nations be gathered {h} together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and show us former things? let them bring forth their {i} witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them {k} hear, and say, [It is] truth.
(h) Signifying that no power can resist him in doing this miraculous work, nor are all their idols able to do the same, as in Isa 41:22.
(i) To prove that the things which are spoken of them are true.
(k) Showing that the malice of the wicked hinders them in the knowledge of the truth, because they will not hear when God speaks by his word.
43:9 Assembled - To plead the cause of their idols with me. This - This wonderful work of mine in bringing my people out of captivity. Former things - Such things as shall happen long before the return from the captivity, which yet your blind idols cannot foresee. Witnesses - Who can testify the truth of any such predictions of theirs, that they may be owned for true gods; or if they can produce no evidence of any such thing, let them confess, that what I say is truth, that I only am the true God.
43:8-13 Idolaters are called to appear in defence of their idols. Those who make them, and trust in them, are like unto them. They have the shape and faculties of men; but they have not common sense. But God's people know the power of his grace, the sweetness of his comforts, the kind care of his providence, and the truth of his promise. All servants of God can give such an account of what he has wrought in them, and done for them, as may lead others to know and believe his power, truth, and love
