Rev. Dr. Theodis Acklin
Scripture Text: Isaiah 48:1-22
Lesson Background: Isaiah whose name means “Salvation of the Lord” was the greatest of the writing prophets. Isaiah served as God’s messenger for over sixty years. Isaiah served as God’s prophet during the reign of four kings: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. He served as God’s messenger for Judah for sixty years. During Isaiah’s tenure as God’s messenger, the nation of Israel was divided into the Northern Kingdom (Israel or Samaria)) and the Southern Kingdom. The sins of both kingdoms were similar: idol worship, the oppression of the poor, and business prac- tices that threatened God’s Law. Isaiah’s calling was to serve as God’s messenger before the people of Judah and proclaim their sinful behavior.
THE KNOWING GOD (ISAIAH 48:3-8A).
Former Things (vv. 3-6a). “I have declared the former things from the beginning: and they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them: I did them suddenly, and they came to pass.” In this verse, Isaiah shows the contrast the difference between Him and idol gods. The Lord said, “I have declared the former things from the beginning.” The “former things” include past prophecies of events, especially God’s abandonment of Judah and Judah as recorded in Isaiah chapters 1 -35. That is to say, everything that happened to Israel from its beginning was prophesied by God be- fore it took place. The Lord continued to say that all the things He prophesied “went forth out of His mouth, and I shewed them.” Since God Himself spoke of “former things” before they hap- pened to His people” mean- ing they all, the prophecies could be relied and trusted because God said “I did them suddenly and they came to pass.” God’s prophecies concerning Israel could not be foreseen by anyone except a divine entity.
5a. ‘I have even from the beginning declared it to thee; before it came to pass I shewed it thee.” Here, the Lord repeats what He said in verse 3. He said, “lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commandeth them.” In other words, God was saying, “I told you about things long before they happened. I did this so that you could not say, The gods we made did this. Our idols, out statues, made this happen.” God anticipated that His people would boast about themselves and their “idols” so by His prophets,He told them beforehand of their deliverance, to prevent them from attributing it to their “idols” as if they had “commanded them” to come to pass.
5a. ‘I have even from the beginning declared it to thee; before it came to pass I shewed it thee.” Here, the Lord repeats what He said in verse 3. He said, “lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commandeth them.” In other words, God was saying, “I told you about things long before they happened. I did this so that you could not say, The gods we made did this. Our idols, out statues, made this happen.” God anticipated that His people would boast about themselves and their “idols” so by His prophets,He told them beforehand of their deliverance, to prevent them from attributing it to their “idols” as if they had “commanded them” to come to pass. Therefore, it was necessary for God to make sure He received the glory for anything that happened to His people, whether good or bad. “Graven image” refers to “idols” made by melting done it, their prophets would have foretold it, there was not doubt that it was the power God.
The Living God (Isaiah 48:17). “Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, the Holy one of Israel; I am the Lord they God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadest thee by the way that thou shouldest go.” Whether we believe it or not, God never stops leading and guiding His people. He is always present with us. He is committed to teaching us how to live right and revealing to us what to do and where to go. In the midst of moral and spiritual darkness, we, as God’s people have not been abandoned.
References: International Sunday School Lessons KJV 2022-2023