 |  |
Isaiah 48:
A | 1, 2. HEAR. |
a | Jacob, Israel, Judah called.
b | The Lord of hosts is His name.
B | 3-7. DECLARED. |
c1 | I have declared Obstinate.
c2 | I have declared Lest . . . say.
c3 | I have shewed Lest . . . say.
C | 8-11. REFINED. |
d1 | For names sake.
e1 | Anger deferred.
f | I have refined thee.
d1 | For names sake.
e1 | not polluted.
A | 12, 13. HEARKEN. |
a | Jacob, Israel, My called.
b | I am He. First and Last.
B | 14-16. DECLARED. |
c1 | Who hath declared.
c2 | I even I have spoken.
c3 | I have not spoken in secret.
C | 17-22. REDEEMED. |
d2 | The Lord thy Redeemer.
e2 | Peace, Prosperity.
Go forth out of Babylon.
d2 | The Lord hath redeemed.
e2 | Provision, no peace.
Exodus from Egypt.
The charge of formalism and hypocrisy with which the chapter opens, reminds the
reader of a similar charge made in the first chapter (Isa. 1: 11-15).
It is not enough to `swear by the name of the Lord', `Make mention of the God of
Israel' or call oneself `of the holy city'. These things are only effective and of value if
done "in truth and in righteousness".
Among the many items that ask for attention, is the strange expression found in
verse 3 "I did them suddenly". It must be confessed that the words of the poet:
"The mills of God grind slowly
But they grind exceeding small",
expresses the general truth concerning the ways of God. Yet, there are occasions when
He has, or will act `suddenly', and these occasions are usually associated with judgment.
In the preceding chapter, speaking of the judgment of Babylon, the prophet says: