Isaiah 42:18-25 · Israel Blind and Deaf

18 "Hear, you deaf; look, you blind, and see!

19 Who is blind but my servant, and deaf like the messenger I send? Who is blind like the one committed to me, blind like the servant of the Lord ?

20 You have seen many things, but have paid no attention; your ears are open, but you hear nothing."

21 It pleased the Lord for the sake of his righteousness to make his law great and glorious.

22 But this is a people plundered and looted, all of them trapped in pits or hidden away in prisons. They have become plunder, with no one to rescue them; they have been made loot, with no one to say, "Send them back."

23 Which of you will listen to this or pay close attention in time to come?

24 Who handed Jacob over to become loot, and Israel to the plunderers? Was it not the Lord , against whom we have sinned? For they would not follow his ways; they did not obey his law.

25 So he poured out on them his burning anger, the violence of war. It enveloped them in flames, yet they did not understand; it consumed them, but they did not take it to heart.

God's Mercy and Israel's Unfaithfulness
Isaiah 42:18-25, Isaiah 43:1-13, Isaiah 43:14-28
One Volume
by Gary M. Burge
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Israel is a blind and deaf servant (42:18–43:7). Because of her unwillingness to respond to Yahweh, she was oppressed and exiled as an expression of Yahweh’s anger. Israel’s exile was evidence of God’s rejection, but her redemption is an expression of his love. Israel’s formation was not a mistake. God elected (“created,” “formed”) Israel. He made them to be his people by calling them to be his. He loves his people and will do anything to redeem them. Regardless of how difficult the circumstances or how far he has to bring his people, he is with them. He is their God by covenant, the Holy One who has consecrated them, their Redeemer. He will give up nations such as Egypt, Cush (Ethiopia), and Seba (a region south of Ethiopia) in exchange for the remnant of his people, his “sons” and “daug…

Baker Publishing Group, The Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary, by Gary M. Burge