Isaiah 48 Study Notes

48:12-13 On the image of God spreading and stretching out the heavens and the earth, see note at 42:5. Since God is the Creator, his people should pay attention to him.

48:14-15 The one whom the Lord loves is Cyrus (44:24-45:8)—the pagan king of Persia whom the Lord will use to deliver his people from the Babylonians. On Chaldeans, see note at 13:19.

48:16 Isaiah concluded this section by affirming that God was the one who had brought him to the people.

48:17-18 On Holy One of Israel, see note at 1:4. Israel’s past judgment was the result of their refusal to follow God.

48:19 Isaiah had earlier announced that Israel’s population would be reduced to a remnant (see note at 10:21-23). The allusion to sand goes back to the patriarchal promise that Abraham would have numerous descendants (Gn 22:17; 32:12; 41:49). It was Israel’s sin that led to a reduction of the population.

48:20-22 The chapter ends with a divine directive to leave Babylon, the nation that was the source of Judah’s oppression. The assumption is that the people should do this after the work of God’s Messiah, in this case Cyrus (see note at 45:1).

48:20 On Chaldeans, see note at 13:19.

48:21 The prophet alluded to the wilderness wandering when God brought his people out of Egypt and into the promised land. Isaiah had earlier used what might be called the “second exodus” theme (4:5; 11:15-16; 40:3-5; 43:18-19). He saw a parallel between God bringing his people out of a place of bondage (first Egypt, then Babylon). The specific reference is to the times when God provided water to Israel in the wilderness (Ex 17:1-7; Nm 20:1-13).

48:22 Though God will bring salvation to his people, he will not back down from his judgment on the wicked.