Bible Chapter Summary
Isaiah 48 Summary
Jacob Called and Refined
God calls the house of Jacob who are come forth out of the waters of Judah to hear Him, noting they swear by the name of the Lord and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth or righteousness. God declares former things from the beginning and does them suddenly so they come to pass. Because Israel was obstinate with an iron neck and brass brow, God declared things beforehand so they would not say their idols or graven images commanded them. God promises new things created before the day, and warns Israel that he has not known these nor opened his ear to them. God will defer His anger for His own sake to refrain, and has refined Israel in the furnace of affliction. Israel is commanded to hear that the Lord has loved Cyrus and will do His pleasure on Babylon and the Chaldeans.
Key themes
Key verses
Isaiah 48:1-5
“Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the LORD, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness.”
Isaiah 48:10-11
“Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.”
Isaiah 48:17-18
“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.”
Isaiah 48:20
“Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say ye, The LORD hath redeemed his servant Jacob.”
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