Isaiah 48:17-18 Thus said the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD your God which teaches you to profit… These words would be sad from the lips of man, but coming from God they are inexpressibly touching and solemn. They are the cry of a wounded heart. They tell not of the wrath of justice, but of the sorrows of love This may be regarded as implying — I. GRIEF FOR LOST HOPES. Once there was hope and fair promise. God's beautiful ideal might be realised. But that is all gone. God only knows what has been lost. He is, so to speak, alone with His sorrow. II. JUDGMENT FOR NEGLECTED OPPORTUNITIES. God is speaking here in the character of "the Redeemer — the Holy One of Israel." He recalls what He had done, and what might and ought to have been the happy results. But the precious opportunities had been abused. 1. Gracious instruction. "I am the Lord which teacheth thee to profit." 2. Infallible guidance. "Which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go." 3. Holy blessedness. Then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea." But the time is past. The glorious vision has faded away for ever. Neglected opportunities bring sure and terrible retribution. III. EXONERATION FOR NEEDLESS RUIN. Reason, conscience, and the Holy Scriptures combine in testifying that man's ruin is not of chance or fate, far less of God, but exclusively of himself. (W. Forsyth, M.A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go. |
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