Isaiah 48

Isaiah 48:1-22

Let the Exiles trust in Jehovah, and come out of Babylon 1-11. Jehovah’s purpose will be executed, but not for Israel’s merit. 12-22. Let Israel recognise His leading in the course of history, and learn to obey Him.

1. The prophet here addresses those whose professions of allegiance to Jehovah are hollow (Isaiah 46:8), and who in the land of exile had in their hearts apostatised: cp. Isaiah 42:17. Come.. waters] i.e. are descended from Judah (Psalms 68:26). 3-5. Events of their history had been foretold by Jehovah long before they happened, lest in their perversity they should attribute them to their false gods. 6-8. But now the things Jehovah purposes are declared on the eve of the event, lest in their presumption they should say that they knew them before.
2. I have shewed] RM ‘Ishew.’
3. Before, etc.] RV ‘and before this day thou heardest them not.’
4. Yea, from, etc.] RV ‘yea, from of old thine ear,’ etc.
5. Read, ’not as silver ‘(RV). So severe a refining (Psalms 12:6) would have meant the destruction of Israel. Chosen] RM ’tried.’
6. Do it] i.e. execute My purpose.
7. Spanned] RV ‘stretched out.’
8. A challenge to the heathen, as in Isaiah 43:9. 14, 15. Loved him.. called him] i.e. Cyrus: cp. Isaiah 44:28; Isaiah 45:1.
9. Jehovah, unlike the idols (Isaiah 48:14), declared the future unambiguously. And now] i.e. now that the crisis is at hand the Lord has sent His prophet with the message of deliverance. 18, 19. Hadst hearkened.. had been as] This is the literal rendering, but the passage may be a promise for the future, ‘O that thou wouldst hearken.. shall be.’
10. Thy seed, etc.] Old promises would have been realised (Genesis 22:17).
11. The exiles are bidden to prepare to leave Babylon.
12. The imagery is from the former exodus from Egypt.
13. Those who are unfaithful cannot share the promised peace. The words are repeated almost exactly at Isaiah 57:21.