“Be silent before Me, O islands, and let the peoples renew their strength. Let them come forward and testify; let us together draw near for judgment.
Isa 41:1 Summons to the contest: “Be silent to me, ye islands; and let the nations procure fresh strength: let them come near, then speak; we will enter into contest together.” The words are addressed to the whole of the heathen world, and first of all to the inhabitants of the western islands and coasts.
Keep silence before me, O isles; and let the people renew [their] strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment. (a) God as though he pleaded his cause with all nations requires silence, that he may be heard in his right. (b) That is, gather all their power and supports.
God opens His court and summons even the distant islands to testify. Silence falls while the case is tried between His kingdom and Satan's. The defenders of idolatry are invited to speak freely and stake all their strength against Him; but the cause of God fears no fair trial, and religion will surely carry the day.
AI summary
Commenting on Isaiah 41:1-9