Do not fear (41:10). A similar word of encouragement is given several times to Esarhaddon from the goddess Ishtar of Arbela, and to Ashurbanipal by Ishtar and Ninurta, “Don’t be afraid!” Naram-Sin similarly exhorted the readers of his stele not to fear. Such cases, like that of Isaiah, promise divine intervention on behalf of someone in trouble.

My righteous right hand (41:10). See comment on 9:12, 17, 21. Being the dominant hand, the right had special significance. In the Seleucid period, a property mark was inscribed on a slave’s right hand. In an Egyptian Aramaic liturgical text, the chief god, Mar, says: “Be strong ... your enemies I will destroy ... I shall support your right hand,” apparently the hand used in battle. Gods and other people took one’s hand in order to assist them. “When my lord the king took my hands, he brought me back to life.” In an early second millennium Babylonian seal, a minor deity takes with his right hand the hand of a supplicant, leading him before a major god.

Hittite god Sharruma protecting King Tudhaliya IV with arm around him and holding him by the wrist to guide him

M. Willis Monroe

31:6 Be strong and courageous. The Lord’s exhortation, often through his servants, to the people of Israel (Jos 10:25), to Joshua (vv. 7, 23; see Jos 1:6–7, 9, 18 and note on 1:18), to Solomon (1 Ch 22:13; 28:20) and to Hezekiah’s military officers (2 Ch 32:7). By trusting in the Lord and obeying him, his followers would be victorious in spite of great obstacles. he will never leave you nor forsake you. See v. 8; Jos 1:5; 1 Ki 8:57; see also note on Ge 28:15. The clause is quoted in the first person in Heb 13:5 and applied to God’s faithfulness in providing for the material needs of his people.

40:31 To wait entails confident expectation and active hope in the Lord—never passive resignation (Ps. 40:1). Mount up … run … walk depicts the spiritual transformation that faith brings to a person. The Lord gives power to those who trust in Him. eagles: The eagle depicts the strength that comes from the Lord. The Lord describes His deliverance of the Israelites in Ex. 19:4 as similar to being lifted up on an eagle’s strong wings. In Ps. 103:5, the strength of people who are nourished by God is compared to the strength of the eagle.