Isaiah 48

Ver. 1, 2. Hear ye, who boast that you are descendants of Jacob and Judah his most honourable son, and are citizens of Jerusalem, and profess much, though feigned, confidence and dependance on God

Isaiah 48:3-8

By foretelling and accomplishing events, I have given you the most undeniable proofs of my true Godhead, because I knew ye were so stubborn and untractable. I have even so timed my predictions, as to leave you no ground to pretend that either you or your idols then foresaw the events; for I knew ye were so long 4 hardened in perverseness, that you would choose to ascribe your information to any other than to me

Isaiah 48:9-11

From regard to the honour of my own perfections, covenant, and promises, I will not utterly destroy you. Nevertheless, in order to purge you from your sins, particularly your gross idolatries, I must try you in a furnace of moderate affliction in Chaldea, and there renew my choice of you for my peculiar people. 14, 15. God manifested his love to Cyrus by employing him in such honourable services, and giving him such prosperous success in destroying the Chaldeans

Isaiah 48:16

From the very beginning I have plainly and publicly foretold future events, and have been always ready to fulfil my predictions. And now I am appointed of God to foretell, and in due time to execute, things relative to Cyrus and Babylon, and the redemption prefigured by it

Isaiah 48:17-19

I am your divine instructor and leader in what conduces to your peace and prosperity; and, if ye had but hearkened to my commandments, your peace, and the prosperity flowing from your piety and virtue, had been abundant and lasting; your children should have been greatly increased: nor should they have been carried captive out of my land. 20, 21. Ye shall certainly be delivered from Babylon, and shall be provided for in your return, as well as your fathers were in their departure from Egypt. 85 94*

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XLVIII.—Of how small avail are all possible connections or appearances in religion, if there be not a work of real grace in the heart! God knows our hearts; and his word is intended to shew us our sinful and miserable condition by nature. No providences, whether smiling or severe, can make obstinate sinners practise their duty. But what care God takes to prevent his people’s apostasy, and to leave them inexcusable therein! Great things will be do either in mercy or judgment, for his name’s sake. With care and pity he refines his people in the furnace of trouble; and restrains the remainder of his wrath, which would not tend to his praise! His perfections and promises are a sure foundation of deliverance, even when we deserve destruction. Tender and powerful are the instructions of Jesus Christ; and we lose multitudes of blessings by your disobedience to them. It is comfortable and safe to be under his care and protection: but infinitely dangerous to remain obstinate in wickedness amidst all the means of his grace