Isaiah — Chapter 41
Synopsis Capitis
Synopsis: God's challenge to the nations — the 'rib' or legal dispute form. The Lord challenges the idols to prove their divinity by prediction and action. The 'servant' of God appears (v.8-16) as Israel, destined to be God's instrument of judgment. The chapter introduces the 'fear not' oracles that will run through Second Isaiah. Key verse: v.10, 'Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God' — one of Scripture's great consolations.
Verse 10
Ne timeas, quia ego tecum sum; ne declines, quia ego Deus tuus
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. The great 'fear not' oracle — applied by Lapide (1) to Israel in exile; (2) to Christ's disciples in persecution; (3) to every Christian soul in tribulation. 'Ego tecum sum' = God's presence is the antidote to all fear. Lapide: this verse is the compendium of all spiritual direction. The threefold promise ('I will strengthen / help / uphold') corresponds to the three moments of divine assistance: preparation (strengthening), accompaniment (helping), and completion (upholding).
Verse 14
Noli timere, vermis Jacob, qui mortui estis ex Israel
Fear not, O worm Jacob, you men of Israel — the diminutive 'worm' (vermis) is not contemptuous but compassionate: Israel in exile is small, weak, crushed. Lapide: the worm corresponds to Christ who said (Ps 22:7) 'I am a worm and not a man' — in His Passion, Christ took on the form of the lowest creature to exalt the lowest. The 'worm' also burrows through apparently solid rock (Ps 78:45) — similarly Israel, small and despised, will penetrate and transform the great empires by the power of God's Spirit working through weakness.