You have never heard; you have never understood; for a long time your ears have not been open. For I knew how deceitful you are; you have been called a rebel from birth. You have never heardThe phrase "You have never heard" underscores Israel's persistent spiritual deafness. In Hebrew, the word for "heard" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which implies not just hearing but also obeying. This highlights Israel's failure to heed God's commands and messages through the prophets. Historically, Israel's repeated disobedience and idolatry demonstrate a pattern of ignoring divine instruction, which is a central theme in the prophetic books. you have never understood
The Hebrew root for "understood" is "יָדַע" (yada), meaning to know intimately or comprehend fully. This phrase suggests a lack of spiritual insight or discernment. Despite witnessing God's mighty works and receiving His laws, Israel failed to grasp the deeper spiritual truths. This reflects a broader biblical theme where understanding is not merely intellectual but involves a heart aligned with God's will. from of old your ear has not been open
The imagery of an "open ear" signifies receptivity to God's voice. The Hebrew word "פָּתַח" (pathach) means to open or unseal. This phrase indicates a long-standing resistance to divine communication. Archaeologically, ancient Near Eastern cultures often depicted gods with open ears as a sign of attentiveness, contrasting Israel's closed ears to the true God. For I knew that you are very treacherous
The word "treacherous" comes from the Hebrew "בָּגַד" (bagad), meaning to act deceitfully or betray. This accusation points to Israel's covenant unfaithfulness. Historically, Israel's alliances with pagan nations and their worship of foreign gods exemplify this treachery. God's foreknowledge of their betrayal underscores His patience and mercy despite their unfaithfulness. and from birth you have been called a rebel
The term "rebel" is derived from the Hebrew "פָּשַׁע" (pasha), meaning to transgress or revolt. This phrase suggests an inherent tendency towards rebellion against God. Scripturally, this reflects the doctrine of original sin, where humanity's fallen nature inclines them to resist God's authority. Israel's history, from the wilderness wanderings to the monarchy, is marked by rebellion, yet God's grace continually offers redemption. Persons / Places / Events 1. IsaiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book bearing his name. He prophesied to the Kingdom of Judah during a time of moral and spiritual decline. 2. IsraelThe primary audience of Isaiah's message, representing the people of God who were often rebellious and disobedient despite God's faithfulness. 3. Babylonian ExileThe context of Isaiah's prophecies includes the impending Babylonian exile, a period of punishment and refinement for Israel due to their persistent rebellion. Teaching Points Understanding Our NatureRecognize that, like Israel, we have a natural tendency towards rebellion against God. This awareness should lead us to humility and dependence on God's grace. The Importance of ListeningSpiritual deafness is a serious issue. We must cultivate a heart that is open to hearing and understanding God's word, actively seeking His guidance. God's Foreknowledge and PatienceGod knows our weaknesses and rebellious tendencies, yet He remains patient and offers us opportunities for repentance and restoration. The Call to RepentanceJust as Israel was called to turn from their rebellious ways, we too are called to examine our lives and repent of any disobedience. Living as a New CreationIn Christ, we are no longer defined by our rebellious past. Embrace the new identity and live in obedience to God's will. Bible Study Questions 1. How does recognizing our own rebellious nature help us in our spiritual growth and relationship with God? 2. In what ways can we ensure that our ears are open to God's word and that we are not spiritually deaf? 3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's patience despite your shortcomings. How did that impact your faith journey? 4. How can the example of Israel's rebellion and God's response inform our understanding of grace and repentance today? 5. What practical steps can you take to live out your new identity in Christ, moving away from past rebellious behaviors? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 9:24This verse highlights Israel's rebellious nature from the time they left Egypt, reinforcing the idea of a long-standing pattern of disobedience. Jeremiah 6:10Jeremiah also speaks of Israel's closed ears and inability to listen to God's word, echoing the themes found in Isaiah 48:8. Ezekiel 2:3-5God sends Ezekiel to a rebellious nation, similar to Isaiah's mission, emphasizing the consistent message of calling Israel to repentance. People Babylonians, Isaiah, JacobPlaces Babylon, ChaldeaTopics FALSE, Behaviour, Belly, Birth, Crying, Deal, Dealest, Didn't, Ear, Earliest, Ears, Hast, Heardest, Heardst, Heart, Knewest, News, Open, Opened, Past, Rebel, Transgressor, Treacherous, Treacherously, Truly, Wast, Womb, Wouldest, Wouldst, Yea, YesDictionary of Bible Themes Isaiah 48:8 5027 knowledge, God's of humanity
5148 ear
5969 treachery
6223 rebellion, of Israel
8355 understanding Library A River of Peace and Waves of Righteousness
'Oh that thou hadst hearkened to My commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.'-- ISAIAH xlviii. 18. I. The Wonderful Thought of God here. This is an exclamation of disappointment; of thwarted love. The good which He purposed has been missed by man's fault, and He regards the faulty Israel with sorrow and pity as a would-be benefactor balked of a kind intention might do. O Jerusalem! 'how often would I have gathered thee.' 'If thou hadst known …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureGod's People in the Furnace
And the first observation I shall make will be this: all persons in the furnace of affliction are not chosen. The text says, "I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction," and it implies that there may be, and there doubtless are, some in the furnace who are not chosen. How many persons there are who suppose that because they are tried, afflicted, and tempted, therefore they are the children of God, whereas they are no such thing. It is a great truth that every child of God is afflicted; but …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855 Mercy's Master Motive
We shall now use the text as an illustration of divine love in other cases, for from one deed of grace we may learn all. As God dealt with his people Israel after the flesh, in the same manner he dealeth with his people Israel after the spirit; and his mercies towards his saints are to be seen as in a mirror in his wondrous lovingkindness towards the seed of Abraham. I shall take the text to illustrate--first, the conversion of the sinner; and secondly, the reclaiming of the backslider; and I pray, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 18: 1872 "Thou Shall Keep Him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on Thee, Because He Trusteth in Thee. "
Isaiah xxvi. 3.--"Thou shall keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." Christ hath left us his peace, as the great and comprehensive legacy, "My peace I leave you," John xiv. 27. And this was not peace in the world that he enjoyed; you know what his life was, a continual warfare; but a peace above the world, that passeth understanding. "In the world you shall have trouble, but in me you shall have peace," saith Christ,--a peace that shall make trouble …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Peace in the Soul
Peace I leave with you: my peace I give unto you.--ST. JOHN 14:27. Peace is one of the great words of the Holy Scriptures. It is woven through the Old Testament and the New like a golden thread. It inheres and abides in the character of God,-- "The central peace subsisting at the heart Of endless agitation." It is the deepest and most universal desire of man, whose prayer in all ages has been, "Grant us Thy Peace, O Lord." It is the reward of the righteous, the blessing of the good, the crown …
Henry Van Dyke—What Peace Means After the Scripture.
"In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God created He him."--Gen. v. 1. In the preceding pages we have shown that the translation, "in Our image," actually means, "after Our image." To make anything in an image is no language; it is unthinkable, logically untrue. We now proceed to show how it should be translated, and give our reason for it. We begin with citing some passages from the Old Testament in which occurs the preposition "B" which, in Gen. i. 27, stands before image, where …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit Man's Chief End
Q-I: WHAT IS THE CHIEF END OF MAN? A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever. Here are two ends of life specified. 1: The glorifying of God. 2: The enjoying of God. I. The glorifying of God, I Pet 4:4: That God in all things may be glorified.' The glory of God is a silver thread which must run through all our actions. I Cor 10:01. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' Everything works to some end in things natural and artificial; …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Christ's Prophetic Office
'The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet,' &c. Deut 18:85. Having spoken of the person of Christ, we are next to speak of the offices of Christ. These are Prophetic, Priestly, and Regal. 'The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet.' Enunciatur hic locus de Christo. It is spoken of Christ.' There are several names given to Christ as a Prophet. He is called the Counsellor' in Isa 9:9. In uno Christo Angelus foederis completur [The Messenger of the Covenant appears in Christ alone]. …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Gifts Received for the Rebellious
Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: Thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them. W hen Joseph exchanged a prison for the chief honour and government of Egypt, the advantage of his exaltation was felt by those who little deserved it (Genesis 45:4, 5) . His brethren hated him, and had conspired to kill him. And though he was preserved from death, they were permitted to sell him for a bond-servant. He owed his servitude, …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 "Thou Shall Keep Him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on Thee, Because He Trusteth in Thee. "
Isaiah xxvi. 3.--"Thou shall keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." All men love to have privileges above others. Every one is upon the design and search after some well-being, since Adam lost that which was true happiness. We all agree upon the general notion of it, but presently men divide in the following of particulars. Here all men are united in seeking after some good; something to satisfy their souls, and satiate their desires. Nay, but they …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Extent of Atonement.
VI. For whose benefit the atonement was intended. 1. God does all things for himself; that is, he consults his own glory and happiness, as the supreme and most influential reason for all his conduct. This is wise and right in him, because his own glory and happiness are infinitely the greatest good in and to the universe. He made the atonement to satisfy himself. "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." …
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology Blasphemous Accusations of the Jews.
(Galilee.) ^A Matt. XII. 22-37; ^B Mark III. 19-30; ^C Luke XI. 14-23. ^b 19 And he cometh into a house. [Whose house is not stated.] 20 And the multitude cometh together again [as on a previous occasion--Mark ii. 1], so that they could not so much as eat bread. [They could not sit down to a regular meal. A wonderful picture of the intense importunity of people and the corresponding eagerness of Jesus, who was as willing to do as they were to have done.] 21 And when his friends heard it, they went …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Isaiah
CHAPTERS I-XXXIX Isaiah is the most regal of the prophets. His words and thoughts are those of a man whose eyes had seen the King, vi. 5. The times in which he lived were big with political problems, which he met as a statesman who saw the large meaning of events, and as a prophet who read a divine purpose in history. Unlike his younger contemporary Micah, he was, in all probability, an aristocrat; and during his long ministry (740-701 B.C., possibly, but not probably later) he bore testimony, as …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Isaiah 48:8 NIVIsaiah 48:8 NLTIsaiah 48:8 ESVIsaiah 48:8 NASBIsaiah 48:8 KJV
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