Isaiah 48 (v9-11)

This chapter ends with the statement, “’There is no peace,’ says the LORD, ‘for the wicked.’”  It indicates the end of a section of Isaiah’s prophecy that began at Ch. 40.  The statement appears again at the end of another section, at Isa. 57:21.  The proverb is not simply a literary device; it is a bottom line truth God wants His people and all creation to understand.  God’s use of ungodly nations to chasten Israel might seem to some as going soft on the ungodly.  To others they might think God has a favorite in Israel and thus is soft on them.  But as we see in this chapter, and have seen throughout Isaiah, there is no peace for the wicked.  Arrogance against God, wherever it is found, reaps a harvest of judgment.  God’s grace in restoration should not cause us to lose sight of this fact!

Ch. 48 is an announcement of Israel’s release from captivity in Babylon. 

·        v1-2: God calls Israel together, reminding them what hypocrites they were.  They had worn the label of “Israelite”, calling themselves God’s people, claiming to lean on or trust God; yet it was not in truth or righteousness.  

·        v3-5: He reminds them how He had told them He would punish their sin, even before it happened.  (This is what Isaiah is doing here: he is writing about God’s chastening through Babylon 100 years before it happened.)

·        v6-8: He reminds them that He had also told them new things, perhaps referring to the prediction of restoration using Cyrus the Persian.

·        v9-11: Now He tells them He will show restraint in punishment lest He cut them off completely.  Here is a tremendous statement of God’s faithfulness.  If God overlooks Israel’s sin He is unfaithful to His word through Moses (e.g. Deut. 32).  But if God gives up on Israel, cutting them off, He is unfaithful to His word to Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3).  If the Babylonians destroyed Israel God’s name would be profaned; His glory would be lost to Babylon.  He will show mercy for the sake of His name.  He will not give His glory to another!

·        v12-16: God earnestly calls Israel to hear what He says (v12,14,16).  His arm would be against the Chaldeans (Babylon). 

·        v17-21: Through Isaiah God reminds His people how blessed they would have been if they had heeded His commands.  But in looking to the time of their release He says, “The LORD has redeemed His servant Jacob” (v20).  Their release from Babylon would be like their release from Egypt (v21).

Look again at v16.  Who is speaking?  Who says, “Now the Lord God and His Spirit have sent Me”?  Some think it is Isaiah.  Could it be Cyrus?  There is nothing in the passage to suggest either of these.  Rather the One who speaks says “I am the First, I am also the Last” (cf. Rev. 1:17-18).  He bears the attributes of deity.  This must refer to the Triune God: the Servant/Messiah sent by the Lord God and His Spirit.  Don’t be surprised at this.  God’s redeeming of Israel (v17) must involve the Redeemer, the Savior of the world.  There is one Savior (Isa. 43:11); the Savior is Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah (Titus 2:13f).