Discovery BoxIsaiah 41:22 
Context41:22 “Let them produce evidence! Let them tell us what will happen!
Tell us about your earlier predictive oracles, 1
so we may examine them 2 and see how they were fulfilled. 3
Or decree for us some future events!
Isaiah 55:11
Context55:11 In the same way, the promise that I make
does not return to me, having accomplished nothing. 4
No, it is realized as I desire
and is fulfilled as I intend.” 5
1 tn Heb “As for the former things, tell us what they are!”
2 tn Heb “so we might set [them to] our heart.”
3 tn Heb “and might know their outcome.”
4 tn Heb “so is the word which goes out from my mouth, it does not return to empty.” “Word” refers here to divine promises, like the ones made just prior to and after this (see vv. 7b, 12-13).
5 tn Heb “but it accomplishes what I desire, and succeeds [on the mission] which I send it.”
sn Verses 8-11 focus on the reliability of the divine word and support the promises before (vv. 3-5, 7b) and after (vv. 12-13) this. Israel can be certain that repentance will bring forgiveness and a new covenantal relationship because God’s promises are reliable. In contrast to human plans (or “thoughts”), which are destined to fail (Ps 94:11) apart from divine approval (Prov 19:21), and human deeds (or “ways”), which are evil and lead to destruction (Prov 1:15-19; 3:31-33; 4:19), God’s plans are realized and his deeds accomplish something positive.
