In Isaiah 48, the prophet confronts the exiles of Judah with their unbelief in God’s intentions for their future.   The Lord questions the exiles’ unenthusiastic response to his message.  “For a long time now, I’ve let you in on the way I work” (Is. 48:3 MGS).  He called them “stubborn” having neck muscles of iron and foreheads of bronze. They seemed to have more faith in their idols’ assumptions. “You have my predictions and seen them fulfilled, but you refuse to admit it (Is. 48:6).

God, knew their history of unbelief.  God reminded them of the past, when he had made them aware of his divine plan. “That is why I told you what would happen; I told you beforehand what I was going to do. Then you could never say, ‘My idols did it. My wooden image and metal god commanded it to happen'” (Is.48:5).  The people had  attributed the course of events to some agent other than God.  But Isaiah reminds them  that God moves sovereignly through history according to his divine purpose. 

In verse 6 God tells of a “new thing.”  As the Message puts it, “I have a lot more to tell you, things you never knew existed.  This isn’t a variation on the same old thing.  This is new, brand-new, something you’ve never guess or dream up.” (Is. 48:7-8 MSG).  God was in control, as He moved in new ways.  But the prophet was accusing them of being poor listeners.  They had a history of ignoring what God was telling them, while assuming they knew better.  

But God had been patient with his people even though they had been poor listeners.  He told them, “For my own name’s sake I delay my wrath; for the sake of my praise I hold it back from you, so as not to destroy you completely.” (v 9).  Instead of putting their trust in almighty God, the people of God trusted more in their own assumptions about the future.   God wanted his people to trust him with their future.

 Gaven Ortland, points out in his commentary on Isaiah, “God is never defeated. He has a purpose even in the painful upheavals of history.  He has resolved not to punish us as we deserve, but to bring his glory to triumphant finality in human history.  It is God’s glory alone  that guarantees our future.” 

The prophet declares God is using their present situation to refine the people.  He asks, “Do you see what I’ve done?  I’ve refined you, but not without fire.  I’ve tested you like silver in the furnace of affliction.  Out of myself, simply because of who I am, I do what I do.  I have my reputation to keep up.  I’m not playing second fiddle to either gods or people” (Is 40:10-11 MSG). The punishment of invasion and exile is compared to the smelting process designed to remove impurities from fine metals like silver. 

As followers of Jesus, during this confused time, followers of Jesus need to cultivate a “listening ear” to what God is saying, rather then voices generated by unbelief, due to the idols of our day.  God has been patient with us.  He has held back his anger, for the sake and honor of his name.  He knows the rebellious nature of our response to his Word.  

Our heavenly Father is up to something new.  It is beyond our comprehension at this time.  Part of the process is our being refined.  But God promises to rescue us for his sake.  He states, “I have my reputation to keep.  I’m not playing second fiddle to either gods or people” (Is 48:11 MSG).