Read & explore together
Israel’s Stubbornness
Isaiah 48:1–11 speaks to Israel about the difference between saying God’s name and living truthfully. The passage explains why God announced events beforehand and why he still holds back judgement from a stubborn people.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In these verses, the house of Jacob is addressed as people who identify with Israel, Judah and the holy city, and who rely on the God of Israel. Yet God says they are not truthful or righteous. He contrasts their obstinacy and treachery with his own clear words, purposeful action, restrained anger and concern for his name.
Isaiah 48:1–11Main takeaway
This passage teaches that God exposes empty religious claims, speaks so idols receive no credit, and restrains his anger for the sake of his own name and glory.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A people who speak God’s name without truthThe passage opens with a call to hear. The people belong to the house of Jacob and are associated with Judah and the holy city.
Explanation
The passage opens with a call to hear. The people belong to the house of Jacob and are associated with Judah and the holy city. They swear by Yahweh’s name and mention the God of Israel, yet God says this is not done in truth or righteousness. Their public identity sounds faithful, but their conduct does not match it.
02Why God announced former things beforehandGod says he declared former things long ago, spoke them and revealed them, then acted suddenly so they happened.
Explanation
God says he declared former things long ago, spoke them and revealed them, then acted suddenly so they happened. He gives the reason plainly: the people are obstinate, with imagery of an iron sinew and a bronze brow. By speaking ahead of time, God removes any excuse for giving idols the credit.
03New things they had not knownGod tells them they have heard and should acknowledge what he has shown. Now he is revealing new and hidden things, not things heard from long ago.
Explanation
God tells them they have heard and should acknowledge what he has shown. Now he is revealing new and hidden things, not things heard from long ago. These are described as created now, so the people cannot claim they already knew. God’s words leave no room for pride or self-credit.
04Held back anger, refining affliction, and God’s gloryGod says the people did not hear or know, and that they have been treacherous from the beginning.
Explanation
God says the people did not hear or know, and that they have been treacherous from the beginning. Even so, he defers his anger and does not cut them off for his name’s sake and for his praise. He also says he has refined them in affliction. He repeats that he acts for his own sake and will not give his glory to another.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What is wrong with the way the people use God’s name?
Look for the contrast between speaking about God and the absence of truth and righteousness.
02Why does God say he announced things before they happened?
Notice the people’s obstinacy and the warning against saying an idol caused those events.
03What stated reasons does God give for holding back his anger and not cutting the people off?
Focus on the phrases about his name, praise and glory in verses 9 and 11. Verse 10 adds that he has refined them in affliction, which is a related action he describes.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Isaiah 48:1–11
1“Hear this, house of Jacob, you who are called by the name of Israel, and have come out of the waters of Judah. You swear by Yahweh’s name, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness—
2for they call themselves citizens of the holy city, and rely on the God of Israel; Yahweh of Armies is his name.
3I have declared the former things from of old. Yes, they went out of my mouth, and I revealed them. I did them suddenly, and they happened.
4Because I knew that you are obstinate, and your neck is an iron sinew, and your brow bronze;
5therefore I have declared it to you from of old; before it came to pass I showed it to you; lest you should say, ‘My idol has done them. My engraved image and my molten image has commanded them.’
6You have heard it. Now see all this. And you, won’t you declare it? “I have shown you new things from this time, even hidden things, which you have not known.
7They are created now, and not from of old. Before today, you didn’t hear them, lest you should say, ‘Behold, I knew them.’
8Yes, you didn’t hear. Yes, you didn’t know. Yes, from of old your ear was not opened, for I knew that you dealt very treacherously, and were called a transgressor from the womb.
9For my name’s sake, I will defer my anger, and for my praise, I hold it back for you so that I don’t cut you off.
10Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver. I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction.
11For my own sake, for my own sake, I will do it; for how would my name be profaned? I will not give my glory to another.