Introduction to Isaiah 44

Structure and Formatting

This chapter presents several oracles that continue to develop the themes of this part of the book. 1. People will once again be proud to be Israelites when Yahweh restores them (1–5) 2. Yahweh is the only true God; idols are human fabrications (6–23) 3. Yahweh is all-powerful and all-knowing, and he will make Cyrus successful (24–28)The first oracle in this chapter (verses 1–5) is a response to the preceding one (43:22–28). That oracle describes how it has become shameful to be an Israelite. In this oracle, Yahweh promises that he will restore and bless the Israelites so that it will once again be an honor to be one of them.The third oracle (verses 24–28) introduces Cyrus by name for the first time as the person Yahweh has chosen to accomplish his purpose of bringing the exiles back to their land.