Isaiah 48:6-16

6 You have heard it; see all this; and you, will you not declare it? I have shown you new things from this time, even hidden things, which you have not known.

7 They are created now, and not from of old; and before this day you didn't hear them; lest you should say, Behold, I knew them.

8 Yes, you didn't hear; yes, you didn't know; yes, from of old your ear was not opened: for I knew that you did deal very treacherously, and was called a transgressor from the womb.

9 For my name's sake will I defer my anger, and for my praise will I refrain for you, that I not cut you off.

10 Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction.

11 For my own sake, for my own sake, will I do it; for how should [my name] be profaned? and my glory I will not give to another.

12 Listen to me, O Ya`akov, and Yisra'el my called: I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.

13 Yes, my hand has laid the foundation of the eretz, and my right hand has spread out the heavens: when I call to them, they stand up together.

14 Assemble yourselves, all you, and hear; who among them has declared these things? He whom the LORD loves shall perform his pleasure on Bavel, and his arm [shall be on] the Kasdim.

15 I, even I, have spoken; yes, I have called him; I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous.

16 Come you near to me, hear you this; from the beginning I have not spoken in secret; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD has sent me, and his Spirit.

Isaiah 48:6-16 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 48

The prophecy of this chapter is concerning the deliverance and salvation of the Jews, and is addressed unto them; who are described by their natural descent and lineage, and by their hypocrisy in religious things, Isa 48:1,2. By their obstinacy and impudence, and by their proneness to idolatry, and to ascribe that to idols which belonged to God; which were the reasons why the Lord foretold all former things to them, before they came to pass, Isa 48:3-5. And for the same reasons also he declared unto them what should be hereafter, particularly the destruction of Babylon, and their deliverance by Cyrus, Isa 48:6-8. From which account of them it would clearly appear, that it was not for any merits of theirs, but for his own name's sake, for his own glory, that he chose them, purified, and saved them as gold tried in the fire, Isa 48:9-11. He observes his own perfections, his eternity and immutability, and power displayed in creation, to engage their faith in the promise of deliverance, Isa 48:12,13 and points out the deliverer Cyrus, a type of Christ, whom he loved, called, sent, and made him prosperous, Isa 48:14-16. Then he directs them to walk in his ways, with promises of peace and prosperity, Isa 48:17-19. And the chapter is concluded with an exhortation to go out of Babylon with joy, publishing wherever they came their redemption, and who would be supplied with all necessaries in their return to their own land; only it should be observed, that there was no peace or happiness for the wicked, Isa 48:20-22.