The Lord, through Isaiah , challenged the idolaters to prove that their gods were truly deity. The Lord presented Himself as the King of Jacob, from the nations" perspective no more than one national god among many, but He is really the King of Kings.
How is it clear that Yahweh, and not the idols, directs world history? Yahweh alone can predict the future and then bring it to pass ( Isaiah 41:21-29). Since Yahweh is the God of Israel, does He have any regard for the Gentile nations? Yes, a servant of the Lord will bring forth justice to the nations ( Isaiah 42:1-9). The court case with the nations-begun in Isaiah 41:1, but interrupted with comfort for the Lord"s servant Israel in Isaiah 41:8-20 -now resumes. Before it ends, however, the Lord will explain the ministry of His Servant, Messiah ( Isaiah 42:1-9). [source][source][source]
Context Summary
Isaiah 41:17-29 - What The Lord's Hand Does For The Needy
Life is not easy for any of us, if we regard external conditions only; but directly we learn the divine secret, rivers flow from bare heights, fountains arise in sterile valleys, and the desert blooms like the forest-glade. To the ordinary eye there might appear no outward change in the forbidding circumstance; but faith's eye always beholds a very paradise of beauty where other eyes see only straitened circumstances and a trying lot.
Once again our minds are brought back to the great convocation announced in the opening verses of the chapter. The idols are asked to say or do something to prove that they are divine. See Isaiah 41:21-23. There is no response; with the result that a crushing verdict is passed on them as recorded in Isaiah 41:24. On the other hand, the prophet of the Lord is prepared with His predictions of Cyrus "the one from the East," (see Isaiah 41:2 and Isaiah 44:28) which would be fulfilled before that generation had passed away. Let us give heed to the sure word of prophecy, "as unto a light that shineth in a dark place," 2 Peter 1:19. [source]
Chapter Summary: Isaiah 41
1God expostulates with his people, about his mercies to the church 10About his promises 21And about the vanity of idols
What do the individual words in Isaiah 41:21 mean?
Presentyour casesaysYahwehbring forthyour strong [reasons]the Kingof Jacob