Here is,

The people of God in captivity, who reconciled themselves to the will of God in their affliction and were content to wait His time for their deliverance, are here assured that they should not wait in vain.

They are invited to enquire concerning the issue of their troubles, v. 11. The Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, though He does not allow them to strive with Him, yet encourages them, to consult His word: "Ask of me things to come"; have recourse to the prophets and their prophecies, and see what they say concerning these things. Ask the watchmen, What of the night? Ask them, How long?’’ Things to come, as far as they are revealed, belong to us and to our children, and we must not be strangers to them.

To seek unto Him by prayer: "Concerning My sons and concerning the work of My hands", which as becomes them submit to the will of their Father, the will of their potter, command you Me, not by way of prescription, but by way of petition. Be earnest in your requests, and confident in your expectations, as far as both are guided by and grounded upon the promise.’’ We may not strive with our Maker by passionate complaints, but we may wrestle with Him by faithful and fervent prayer.

My sons, and the work of My hands, commend to Me (so some read it), bring them to Me and leave them with Me. See the power of prayer, and its prevalency with God: Thou shalt cry, and He shall say, Here I am; what would you that I should do unto you?

Some read it with an interrogation, as carrying on the reproof (v. 9, 10): Do you question Me concerning things to come? and am I bound to give you an account? And concerning My children, even concerning the work of My hands, will you command Me, or prescribe to Me? Dare you do so? Shall any teach God knowledge, or give law to Him? Those that complain of God do in effect assume an authority over Him.

They are encouraged to depend upon the power of God when they are brought very low and are utterly incapable of helping themselves, v. 12. Their help stands in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth, which He mentions here, not only for His own glory, but for their comfort. The heavens and earth shall contribute, if He please, to the deliverance of the church (v. 8), for He created both, and therefore has both at command.

He made the earth, and created man upon it, for it was intended to be a habitation for man, Ps. 115:16. He has therefore not only authority, but wisdom and power sufficient to govern man here on this earth and to make what use He pleases of him.

His hands have stretched out the heavens, and all their hosts He commanded into being at first, and therefore still governs all their motions and influences. It is good news to God’s Israel that their God is the creator and governor of the world.

They are particularly told what God would do for them, that they might know what to depend upon; and this shall lead them to expect a more glorious Redeemer and redemption, of whom, and of which, Cyrus and their deliverance by him were types and figures.

Liberty shall be proclaimed to them, v. 13. Cyrus is the man that shall proclaim it; and, in order hereunto, God will put power into his hands: I have raised him up in righteousness, that is, in pursuance and performance of My promises and to plead my people’s just but injured cause. He will give him (Cyrus) success in all his (Cyrus) enterprises, particularly that against Babylon: I will direct all his ways; and then it follows that He will prosper him (Cyrus), for those must need speed well that are under a divine direction. God will make plain the way of those whom He designs to employ for Him.