Verse 8
The Israelites should not fear even though they were heading for captivity. God had told them that they would return from captivity as well as go into it. When they did return, they would be able to witness to the world that the Lord had predicted and performed both events. In the meantime they could seek refuge in their Rock, their only support and protector.
"The character of God is the ultimate assurance of His people." [Note: Motyer, p. 345.]
Seeking refuge in idols is not only fruitless but fatal (Isaiah 44:9-20). The idols have no witnesses to their ability to forecast and control the future. They are nothing (Isaiah 44:9-11), and their worshippers are confused (Isaiah 44:12-17) and blind (Isaiah 44:18-20). If Isaiah could show that it was foolish to think that supreme power resided in an idol, he could expose the heresy of paganism. This he did in this pericope.
"This extended exposé was doubtless intended to strengthen the Jews against the allurements of paganism during the long captivity in Babylon." [Note: Archer, p. 640.]
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