Isaiah 48:3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 48:1-8

We may observe here, I. The hypocritical profession which many of the Jews made of religion and relation to God. To those who made such a profession the prophet is here ordered to address himself, for their conviction and humiliation, that they might own God's justice in what he had brought upon them. Now observe here, 1. How high their profession of religion soared, what a fair show they made in the flesh and how far they went towards heaven, what a good livery they wore and what a good face... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 48:3

I have declared the former things from the beginning ,.... From the time of their first ancestors, from the time of Abraham their father, to whom was declared what should befall his posterity; that they should sojourn in Egypt, be afflicted there, and come out from thence with great substance; that they be brought into the land of Canaan, and the inhabitants of it being driven out before them, Genesis 15:13 . And they went forth out of my mouth, and I showed them ; they were told to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 48:1-9

Things worth heeding concerning God and man. "Hear ye this:" this is something well worth the earnest attention of men; their truest worth and their lasting interests are bound up in the knowledge and regard of it. I. MAN 'S CRIMINAL INCONSISTENCY WITH HIMSELF . ( Isaiah 48:1 , Isaiah 48:2 .) Men may go very far in conduct which is quite at variance with "the spirit which is in them:" they may say or do one thing, and be the very opposite. One might think that though... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 48:1-11

"Hear ye this," etc.; Isaiah 48:12-15 , "Hearken unto me," etc.; Isaiah 48:16-22 , "Come ye near unto me, hear ye this," etc. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 48:1-11

THE FIRST ADDRESS consists mainly of expostulation and complaint. Israel has not called on God "in truth and righteousness" ( Isaiah 48:1 ). They have had "necks of iron" and "brows of brass" ( Isaiah 48:4 ). God has given them prophecies of different kinds ( Isaiah 48:3-7 ); yet they have neither "heard" nor "known;" they have "dealt treacherously" and been "transgressors from the womb" ( Isaiah 48:8 ). God might justly have "cut them off" for their rebellion, but he has... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 48:1-11

Lessons from the past to the future. Those addressed are the people "named from Israel and sprung from Judah's spring;" who swear by Jehovah's Name and render homage to Israel's God—not, alas! so sincerely as they should. Still, they have learned to find their true reliance in Zion and in Jahveh. Let them, then, hear the exhortation of Jehovah. I. THE ORACLE OF THE PAST . Jehovah has in former times predicted events by the mouth of his prophets which came to pass. Those... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 48:1-22

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 48:3

I have declared the former things from the beginning (comp. Isaiah 41:26 ; Isaiah 43:9 , Isaiah 43:10 ; Isaiah 44:7 , Isaiah 44:8 , etc.). "Former things" are here contrasted with the "new things" of Isaiah 48:6 . Two cycles of prophecy seem to be intended—one of comparatively ancient date, the other quite fresh—both equally showing forth the power of God and his infinite superiority to the idols. It is difficult to determine what the two cycles of prophecy are. Delitzsch... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 48:3

I have declared the former things - That is, in former times I have predicted future events by the prophets, which have come to pass as they were foretold. Though the fulfillment might have appeared to be long delayed, yet it came to pass at the very time, showing it to be an exact fulfillment of the prophecy. The design of thus referring to the former predictions is, to remind them of their proneness to disregard his declarations, and to recall to their attention the fact that all that he said... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 48:3-5

Isaiah 48:3-5. I have declared That is, predicted; the former things Those things which are already come to pass. These, opposed to new things, (Isaiah 48:6,) seem to intend the events foretold by Isaiah in the former part of this book, relating to the two confederate kings of Syria and Israel, (chap. 7.,) and to Sennacherib, (chap. 10,) as the new things, and things to come, (Isaiah 41:22,) respect the Babylonian captivity, and their return from thence, as figures of gospel times. ... read more

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