Isaiah 48:1-22
Q.1. What did God think about Israel’s claims? Why did He prophecy their destruction long in advance? What had delayed its fulfilment? Why? – (Isa.48:1-11)
Israel continued to invoke the name of the God of Israel, while claiming to lean on His name – but not in truth nor in righteousness (Isa.48:1 & 2). However, God knew them – … that you would deal very treacherously; And you have been called a rebel from birth (Isa.48:8). God – declared the future to you long ago, before they took place, I proclaimed them to you, so that you would not say, My idol has done them, and my graven image and my molten image have commanded them.’ (Isa.48:5). He also added new prophecies that – 7 … are created now and not long ago; And before today you have not heard them, so that you will not say,Behold, I knew them.’ 8 “You have not heard, you have not known. Even from long ago your ear has not been open, because I knew that you would deal very treacherously; And you have been called a rebel from birth (Isa.48:7-8). The Lord explained His delay – For the sake of My name I delay My wrath, and for My praise I restrain it for you, in order not to cut you off (Isa.48:9). However, He was ultimately motivated – for My own sake, I will act; For how can My name be profaned? And My glory I will not give to another (Isa.48:11)
Q.2. What right did God have to speak to His people? How would He use Babylon? What would happen to the Chaldeans? What did these prophecies reveal about God? – (Isa.48:12-16)
God may do whatever He pleases, because He is the First and Last, as well as the Creator of the heavens and the earth (Isa.48:13). Mostly, He had the right because by His own initiative, He had called Israel into a covenant relationship (Isa.48:12). He had called Babylon to do His bidding, and – to make his way successful (Isa.48:15). However, because the Lord loved Israel, He would turn against the Chaldeans (Isa.48:14). He had prophesied these things before they happened, in order to prove that He is the sovereign Lord of heaven and earth (Isa.48:16 c.f. Isa.48:7-8).
Q.3. Why would Israel be punished? What message had they ignored? Would their demise be permanent? What promise did God make? What are the wicked like? (Isa.48:17-22) = God had always spoken His Word for Israel’s benefit – Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, Who leads you in the way you should go (Isa.48:17). If the nation had listened, they would surely have survived (Isa.48:18-19). However, in spite of their continual infidelity and disobedience, God promised to again bring refreshment from Himself as the Rock and give them hope – Go forth from Babylon! Flee from the Chaldeans! Declare with the sound of joyful shouting. Proclaim this; Send it out to the end of the earth; Say, “The Lord has redeemed His servant, Jacob.” (Isa.48:20 c.f. Jer.29:10-13). This does not extend to the godless because – “There is no peace for the wicked,” says the Lord (Isa.48:22).