Matthew Henry Commentary Isaiah 48:1-8

"Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah; who swear by the name of Jehovah, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness (for they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; Jehovah of hosts is his name): I have declared the former things from of old; yea, they went forth out of my mouth, and I showed them: suddenly I did them, and they came to pass. Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass; therefore I have declared it to thee from of old; before it came to pass I showed it thee; lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them. Thou hast heard it; behold all this; and ye, will ye not declare it? I have showed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, which thou hast not known. They are created now, and not from of old; and before this day thou heardest them not; lest thou shouldest say, Behold, I knew them. Yea, thou heardest not; yea, thou knewest not; yea, from of old thine ear was not opened: for I knew that thou didst deal very treacherously, and wast called a transgressor from the womb." — Isaiah 48:1-8 (ASV)

The Jews prided themselves on their descent from Jacob and claimed Jehovah as their God. They took pride in Jerusalem and the temple, yet there was no holiness in their lives. If we are not sincere in our religion, we only take the name of the Lord in vain.

Through prophecy, they were shown how God would deal with them long before it happened. God has said and done enough to prevent people's boasting about themselves, which makes the sin and ruin of the proud even worse; sooner or later, every mouth will be stopped, and all will become silent before Him.

We are all born children of disobedience. Where original sin exists, actual sin will follow. Does not the conscience of everyone witness to the truth of Scripture? May the Lord test us and make us doers of the word.