Isaiah 48:1-11 - Exposition

THE FIRST ADDRESS consists mainly of expostulation and complaint. Israel has not called on God "in truth and righteousness" ( Isaiah 48:1 ). They have had "necks of iron" and "brows of brass" ( Isaiah 48:4 ). God has given them prophecies of different kinds ( Isaiah 48:3-7 ); yet they have neither "heard" nor "known;" they have "dealt treacherously" and been "transgressors from the womb" ( Isaiah 48:8 ). God might justly have "cut them off" for their rebellion, but he has "deferred his anger," and "refrained" himself—not, however, for Israel's sake, but for his own honour.