Matthew Henry Commentary Isaiah 42:18-25

"Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see. Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I send? who is blind as he that is at peace [with me], and blind as Jehovah`s servant? Thou seest many things, but thou observest not; his ears are open, but he heareth not. It pleased Jehovah, for his righteousness` sake, to magnify the law, and make it honorable. But this is a people robbed and plundered; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison-houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore. Who is there among you that will give ear to this? that will hearken and hear for the time to come? Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not Jehovah? he against whom we have sinned, and in whose ways they would not walk, neither were they obedient unto his law. Therefore he poured upon him the fierceness of his anger, and the strength of battle; and it set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart." — Isaiah 42:18-25 (ASV)

Observe the call given to this people, and the character given of them. Multitudes are ruined by failing to observe what they cannot help but see; they perish, not through ignorance, but carelessness. The Lord is well-pleased in making known his own righteousness.

For their sins they were stripped of all their possessions. This was fully realized in the destruction of the Jewish nation. There is no resisting or escaping God's anger. See the harm sin causes; it provokes God to anger.

And those not humbled by lesser judgments, must expect greater. Alas! how many professed Christians are as blind as the unenlightened heathen! While the Lord is well-pleased in saving sinners through the righteousness of Christ, he will also glorify his justice, by punishing all proud despisers. Since God has poured out his wrath on his once-favored people because of their sins, let us fear, lest, a promise of entering into his rest being left to us, any of us should be found to come short of it.