One Isaiah 83 of Jerusalem should be troubled (Isa. 32:10, 16-20) ; and that the righteous in Zion should see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, and return and come with singing (Isa. 33:17-24; 35:4, 10) ; but that Sennacherib on the contrary should hear tidings and return without shooting an arrow into the city (Isa. 37:7, 26-29, 33-35). In like manner after the siege of Jerusalem by Sennache- rib, 701 B. C., the prophet continued to predict; and, in order to demonstrate to the suffering remnant about him the deity of Jehovah and the folly of idolatry, pointed to the predic- tions which he had already made in the earlier years of his ministry, and to the fact that they had been fulfilled. For example, he says: In chapter 41:21-23, 26 ff.: “Who hath declared it from the beginning that we may know, and beforetime that we may say, He is right?” In chapter 42:9, 23: “Behold the former things are come to pass and new things do I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.” In chapter 43:9, 12: “Who among them can declare this and show us former things? [i. e., things to come in the im- mediate future.] I have declared, and I have saved and I have showed.” In chapter 44:7, 8, 27, 28: “Who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it? . . . The things that are coming and that shall come to pass, let them [the idols] declare. Have not I declared unto thee of old and showed it? And ye are My witnesses. . . . That saith of Cyrus, He is My shepherd, and shall perform all My pleasure, even saying of Jerusalem, she shall be built; and of the temple, thy foundation shall be laid.” In chapter 45 :l-4, 11, 21: “It is I Jehovah, who call thee by thy name, even the God of Israel. . . . I have called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee though thou hast not known Me. . . . Ask of Me the things that are to come.
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