THE THIRD ADDRESS . Israel is reminded of God's merciful teaching and leading in the past ( Isaiah 48:16 , Isaiah 48:17 ); expostulated with on their disobedience ( Isaiah 48:18 , Isaiah 48:19 ); exhorted to go forth boldly and joyfully from Babylon ( Isaiah 48:20 , Isaiah 48:21 ); and finally warned that God's blessings—even such a blessing as deliverance—are no blessings to any but the righteous ( Isaiah 48:22 ). read more
Human freedom and Divine regret. In these fervent and eloquent words of the prophet we learn— I. THAT GOD DESIGNS GOOD AND EVEN GREAT THINGS FOR THE OBEDIENT . If Israel had only been obedient to the Divine commandment, it would have rejoiced in: 1 . Abounding prosperity. Its peace (prosperity) would have been "as a river," flowing on continuously, without break, night and day, generation after generation. Victory in war and fruitfulness in the field would... read more
Thy seed also had been as the sand . Israel, at the close of the Captivity, was "a remnant" ( Isaiah 37:31 ), a "very small remnant" ( Isaiah 1:9 ); the ten tribes were for the most part absorbed into the heathen among whom they had been scattered; the two tribes had dwindled in number through the hardships of the Captivity, and were scarcely more than a "handful." Less than fifty thousand returned with Zerubbabel ( Ezra 2:64 ); less than two thousand males with Ezra ( Ezra 8:2-20 ).... read more
Go ye forth of Babylon . A sudden transition from expostulation to exhortation. It might have seemed that no exhortation would be needed; that, as soon as the prison-doors were set open, there would be a general rush to escape. But, when the time came, it was not so. Those only availed themselves of the edict of Cyrus "whose spirit God had raised to go up and build his house" ( Ezra 1:5 ). The wealthier classes, Josephus tells us ('Ant. Jud.,' Isaiah 11:1 ), remained. The very poor, it... read more
They thirsted not (comp. Isaiah 43:19 , and the comment ad loc ) . The literal meaning is not to be altogether excluded. We have no historical account of the journey made by the bulk of the exiles who returned with Zerubbabel; but they must almost certainly have experienced difficulties with respect to water; and it is quite possible that a miraculous supply was vouchsafed to them. Most commentators, however, are content to explain both this and the earlier passage as merely... read more
There is no peace, etc. This warning phrase occurs again, "in the manner of a refrain" (Cheyne), at the close of what most commentators regard as the second section of this portion of Isaiah's work ( Isaiah 57:21 ). The third section closes with a still more solemn warning ( Isaiah 66:24 ). read more
Peace: appearance and reality. "There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked." We may look at— I. THE ANTECEDENT LIKELIHOOD that there would be none. For the wicked are: 1. In rebellion against the Lord of all righteousness and power; i.e. against one who is bound to visit sin with penalty and who is able to do so. 2 . In an element of disturbance and disorder. They are in a wrong and false position; they are in a sphere which is unnatural and unlawful; they... read more
The unrest of the wicked. "There is no peace, saith Jehovah, to the ungodly." There may be what the world calls success and prosperity, without peace. Peace is an inward state and condition. It is not a matter of circumstance, but of mood. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee." It is not a specially sent threatening, that there shall be no peace to the wicked; it is the permanently appointed Divine arrangement. By the constitution of things there can be no peace... read more
Thy seed also - Instead of being reduced to a small number by the calamities incident to war, and being comparatively a small and powerless people sighing in captivity, you would have been a numerous and mighty nation. This is another of the blessings which would have followed from obedience to the commands of God; and it proves that a people who are virtuous and pious will become numerous and mighty. Vice, and the diseases, the wars, and the divine judgments consequent on vice, tend to... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 48:12-22
The new revelation. The verses contain a summary of the contents of Isaiah 40-47. God is the First and the Last—the sole Creator. Prophecy is an evidence of his claims; and so is the mission of Cyrus. I. THE REVELATION CONCERNING GOD . First Jacob and Israel, the chosen people, are called to listen. Jehovah is the Alpha and the Omega of the universe. The First Cause and Reason of things; he gave the first impulse to their course, the goal of which will still be himself. Before... read more