Isaiah 48
God's Expostulation with His People.In this section, God speaks to the people of Israel about their empty religious claims and warns them not to trust in outward appearances alone. He reminds them that he has always told them what would happen, both good and bad, so they would know he is the true God. God also explains why he gave so many warnings and prophecies: to keep them from pride, idolatry, and excuses, even though he knew how stubborn and disobedient they could be.v. 1: The prophet calls out to the Jews who claim to belong to God. They are the house of Jacob and use the name Israel, which is a name of honor. They come from the tribe of Judah, speak proudly about their connection to the Lord, and often mention the God of Israel. They even call themselves people of the holy city and trust in the God of Israel, saying, The Lord of hosts is his name (Micah 3:11 a). But all this is just for show. They are not sincere; their words and actions do not match their hearts. v. 2: Even though they say the right things and act religious, their faith is not real. They do not worship God in truth and righteousness. God wants people who are honest and true, not just those who pretend. If they are not sincere, their religious acts mean nothing and are just taking God’s name in vain. v. 3: God reminds them that he has always told them about important events before they happened. I have declared the former things from the beginning . Their history, from slavery in Egypt to entering Canaan, was all foretold by God and happened just as he said. Even their current troubles in Babylon were warned about long ago (Leviticus 26:31; Deuteronomy 28:36, 29:28 b). God also promised that one day they would return home (Deuteronomy 30:4; Leviticus 26:44,45 c). Everything happened as God said it would, proving that he alone is in control. v. 4: God explains that he gave these prophecies and warnings because he knew the people were stubborn. I knew that you are obstinate. Your neck is an iron sinew and your brow brass . They were hard to teach, proud, and not willing to listen or change. Even so, God was patient and tried to guide them. v. 5: God says he told them about the future ahead of time so they could not give credit to idols or claim they knew it all along. I have even from the beginning declared it to you... lest you should say, My idol has done them . This way, when the prophecies came true, they would have to admit it was God’s work, not their own wisdom or the power of false gods. v. 6: God showed them new things, special promises about their future that they could not have known without his revelation. Thou hast heard; see all this. And will you not declare it? . God wants them to see that his words and his actions always match. When God makes prophecies, he fulfills them—even if people do not expect it or understand how it will happen. v. 7: Some promises and prophecies were given recently, not long ago. They are created now, and not from the beginning . God revealed these new things at the right time, so no one could say, Behold, I knew them. v. 8: God knows that his people have always been rebellious and unfaithful. Yea, thou heardest not; yea, thou knewest not... for I knew that you would deal very treacherously, and were called a transgressor from the womb . From the very beginning, Israel struggled with sin and idolatry (Deuteronomy 9:7,24; 31:16,27,29 d). God still warned and helped them, even though he knew they would often turn away. This shows God’s patience and mercy toward his people, even when they do not deserve it. Encouragement to God's People.This section gives hope to Israel, who are discouraged by their own failures and the difficulties of leaving Babylon. God explains that he will deliver his people, not because they deserve it, but to protect his own name and honor. He reminds them that he is powerful enough to save them and has already planned how it will happen. God’s promises are sure, and he uses even hard times to refine and prepare his people.v. 9: God says he will not destroy his people, even though they have sinned. For my name’s sake will I defer my anger, and for my praise will I refrain for you, that I cut you not off . God is patient so that his name will not be dishonored among the nations. v. 10: God explains that their suffering was not meant to destroy them but to refine them. I have refined you, but not with silver; I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction . Although Israel is not pure, God uses difficulties to make them better and more prepared for his plans. v. 11: God repeats that he will act for his own sake. For my own sake, even for my own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory to another . God will save Israel so that other nations do not think their gods are greater than the Lord (Daniel 5:2,4; Psalm 137:3 e). He will not let his honor be given to idols. v. 12: God calls his people to listen and trust him. Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last . God is eternal and powerful. No one can stop his plans. v. 13: God reminds them of his power as Creator. My hand also has laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand has spanned the heavens . He made the earth and the sky. All creation obeys him, so he can easily deliver his people (Psalm 124:8 f). v. 14: God invites Israel to see that no idol or wise man could predict these things. Only God declared what would happen. The Lord has loved him: he will do his pleasure on Babylon, and his arm shall be on the Chaldeans . God has chosen Cyrus, the Persian king, to defeat Babylon and free Israel. v. 15: God assures them that his plan will succeed. I, even I, have spoken; yea, I have called him: I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous . God called Cyrus for this purpose, and nothing can stop God’s will when he acts. Encouragement to God's People.In these verses, God continues to comfort and encourage his people. He tells them to listen closely to his message, which has always been clear and open. God reminds them that he has guided and helped them from the very beginning. The prophet, speaking for God and as a picture of the coming Messiah, brings a message of hope and promise. God wants his people to know that he is their Redeemer, Teacher, and Guide, and that he desires their good.v. 16: God calls Jacob and Israel to come near and listen. Come near to me, hear this . God has always spoken openly, not in secret. From the time he began working with his people, he was present and active in their lives. Now, the Lord God and his Spirit have sent the prophet with this message. This verse also hints at the work of the Holy Spirit, who empowers those God sends (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:21 g). v. 17: God introduces himself as the Redeemer and the Holy One of Israel. I am the Lord your God who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way you should go . God promises to teach his people what is good for them and to guide them in the right path. He wants them to learn from him and trust his leading (Hebrews 8:10,11; Hebrews 12:10 h). v. 18: God expresses his longing that the people had obeyed his commands. O that you had hearkened to my commandments! . If they had listened, their peace would have flowed like a river, and their righteousness would have been like the waves of the sea. Obedience would have brought them constant blessing and strength (Psalm 81:13; Deuteronomy 5:29 i). v. 19: God says their descendants would have been as many as the sand, and their name would not have been cut off or destroyed from before him . If they had followed God, their nation would have grown and prospered, and their honor would have remained. v. 20: God commands his people to leave Babylon. Go forth out of Babylon, flee from the Chaldeans! With a voice of singing declare, tell this, utter it to the end of the earth; say, The Lord has redeemed his servant Jacob! . God sets them free and wants the world to know that he has saved his people. They should leave with joy and praise, just as they did when they left Egypt (Exodus 15:1; Ezra 1:5 j). v. 21: God promises to provide for them as they travel. And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them . Just as God took care of Israel in the wilderness, he will take care of them again. God can give blessings in unexpected ways, and his people will not lack what they need. v. 22: God warns that there is no peace for the wicked. There is no peace, says the Lord, unto the wicked (Isaiah 48:22 k). Those who continue to do evil and refuse to repent will not share in God’s blessings, even if they are part of his people outwardly. Only those who truly follow God will have his peace.
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