Verse 2
2. Hear, O heavens… give ear, O earth Here begins a solemn reprehensory appeal against Judah and Jerusalem, filled with digressive yet relevant points, and ending with the fifth chapter. It is in the style of Deuteronomy 32:1, for earth and heaven are unchanging witnesses from the time of Moses to that of Isaiah of the clearness with which God, by his prophets, sets forth his requirements, and their rejection by the people. They are summoned to listen again, for a crisis is reached, and Jehovah speaks.
The Lord Hebrew, יהוה , Yehovah, a name which the Jews never uttered, but used אדני , Adonai, in stead, which means Master, Lord. The other chief name of deity, אלהים , Elohim, designates in the Old Testament a being of power; while Jehovah is the word which expresses what Deity is in himself. More need not here be said of this name, other than that it was the national name of Israel’s God, yet so awfully sacred that it was pronounced only by the substitute name Adonai.
Hath spoken The preterit is here used for the present he speaks, though this is not the first time. Hebrews 1:1. He has repeatedly spoken, and still speaks.
Nourished and brought up children From his infancy as a nation God reared Israel. This strain is followed by other prophets. See Hosea 11:1; Jeremiah 2:2-3. “The Lord” made Israel great, and set him on high. Ezekiel 31:4. Still he rebelled. Such conduct of a covenant people was the greatest of wonders, and heaven and earth are called to attest this fact.
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