In Isaiah, chapter forty-two, verses eighteen through twenty-five are scriptures highlighted from this theme under the subheading “nation’s sin and punishment.” “Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see. Who is blind but my servant? Or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? Who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD’S servant? Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.” But this is a people robbed and spoiled; 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 among you will give ear to this? Who will hearken and hear for the time to come?” Because of the blindness and deafness of God’s people, they were being plundered and despoiled by their enemy; there was no one to deliver or restore them.
Observe the call given to the people and the character given. Multitudes are ruined for want of observing that which they cannot 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 spoiled, of all their possessions. There is no resisting, nor escaping God’s anger. See the mischief sin makes; it provokes God to anger. And those not humbled by lesser judgments must expect greater.
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. Seeing God has poured out His wrath on His once-favoured people, because of their sins, let us fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of us should be found to come short of it.