Isaiah 48:3

I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them; I did [them] suddenly, and they came to pass.

I have declared {H5046} the former things {H7223} from the beginning {H227}; and they went forth {H3318} out of my mouth {H6310}, and I shewed {H8085} them; I did {H6213} them suddenly {H6597}, and they came to pass {H935}.

"I announced things that happened at the beginning, long ago; they issued from my mouth, I proclaimed them. Then suddenly I acted, and they occurred.

I foretold the former things long ago; they came out of My mouth and I proclaimed them. Suddenly I acted, and they came to pass.

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.

Isaiah 48:3 serves as a powerful declaration from God, emphasizing His unique ability to predict and perfectly fulfill events. This verse is part of a larger discourse where God confronts the stubbornness and idolatry of His people, Israel, by demonstrating His unparalleled sovereignty and foreknowledge.

Context

Chapter 48 of Isaiah is set during the Babylonian captivity, a period when the Israelites were suffering and perhaps questioning God's faithfulness. Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord is addressing a people who are "obstinate" and "stiffnecked" (Isaiah 48:4). God reminds them of His past actions and prophecies, asserting His divine authority and contrasting Himself with the powerless idols they were tempted to worship. He declares that He alone reveals the future, proving His identity as the one true God, unlike the false deities who cannot predict or perform.

Key Themes

  • Divine Foreknowledge and Sovereignty: The verse highlights God's absolute knowledge of all things from the very beginning. He doesn't just react to events; He orchestrates them. This underscores His ultimate control over history and destiny, a concept also seen in Isaiah 46:10, where He declares "the end from the beginning."
  • Reliability of God's Word: What God declares, He performs. The phrase "they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them" emphasizes the certainty and clarity of His pronouncements. His word is not idle; it is active and effective, always achieving its intended purpose (Isaiah 55:11).
  • God's Uniqueness: This prophetic challenge serves to distinguish the Lord from all false gods. No idol or human could predict events with such precision and then bring them to pass "suddenly." This attribute is a cornerstone of God's self-revelation throughout Isaiah, proving His singular deity and power over all creation.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "former things" (Hebrew: rishonot) refers to past prophecies and events that God had already declared and fulfilled, such as the Exodus or previous judgments and deliverances. By reminding them of these fulfilled prophecies, God establishes a track record of reliability and faithfulness. The word "suddenly" (Hebrew: peta`) implies an immediate and often unexpected fulfillment from a human perspective, reinforcing the idea of God's perfect timing and swift execution of His plans, not dependent on human agency or delay.

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 48:3 offers immense comfort and a profound foundation for trust. Just as God faithfully declared and fulfilled "the former things" for ancient Israel, so too will He fulfill His promises for us. This truth strengthens our faith in His future declarations, including the promise of Christ's return, the new heaven and new earth, and His ongoing faithfulness in our personal lives. It encourages us to rely on His written Word, knowing that what He has spoken will indeed "come to pass," often in ways we least expect but always perfectly timed according to His sovereign will.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 42:9

    Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

  • Isaiah 41:22

    Let them bring [them] forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they [be], that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come.

  • Joshua 21:45

    There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.

  • Isaiah 44:7

    And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them.

  • Isaiah 44:8

    Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared [it]? ye [are] even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, [there is] no God; I know not [any].

  • Isaiah 45:21

    Tell ye, and bring [them] near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? [who] hath told it from that time? [have] not I the LORD? and [there is] no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; [there is] none beside me.

  • Isaiah 43:9

    Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, [It is] truth.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back