- Insight from Butler’s Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 41—Speaking by God. Three main subjects comprise this message from God. •Conqueror for God: a prophecy of Cyrus (not mentioned by name till later chapters) several hundred years before Cyrus ruled Persia. •Calling from God: this speaks of the calling of Israel as a special people by God; it involved the serving of Israel (they are often mentioned as God’s servant—every calling from God is a calling to serve God); the security of Israel (God will protect them, “Fear not”); the strength for Israel (“I will strengthen thee”); the supplying for Israel (God not only protects them but provides for them). •Challenge from God: this is a challenge to idol worshippers about prophecy—can their idols predict accurately as God can? (a reference is again made to the prediction about Cyrus in this question).