Isaiah 48:16

Come near to Me and listen to this: From the beginning I have not spoken in secret; from the time it happened, I was there." And now the Lord GOD has sent me, accompanied by His Spirit.

Study Bible

Come near to Me and listen to this:
This phrase is an invitation to the audience to pay close attention to the message being delivered. It reflects the prophetic tradition where God calls His people to heed His words. This echoes the call to listen found throughout the prophetic books, such as in Isaiah 1:2 and Deuteronomy 6:4, emphasizing the importance of hearing and obeying God's voice.

From the beginning I have not spoken in secret;
This statement highlights God's transparency and faithfulness in revealing His plans and purposes. It contrasts with the practices of pagan deities, who often communicated through secretive and mysterious means. This openness is consistent with God's nature as seen in Amos 3:7, where He reveals His plans to His prophets.

from the time it happened, I was there.”
This phrase underscores God's omnipresence and sovereignty throughout history. It affirms that God is not only aware of events but actively involved in them. This is reminiscent of God's presence in creation (Genesis 1:1-2) and His ongoing involvement in the affairs of the world.

And now the Lord GOD has sent me,
Here, the speaker identifies themselves as being sent by the Lord GOD, indicating a divine commission. This is a common theme in the prophetic literature, where prophets are sent by God to deliver His messages (e.g., Jeremiah 1:7). This also foreshadows the sending of Jesus Christ, who was sent by the Father (John 20:21).

accompanied by His Spirit.
The mention of the Spirit signifies divine empowerment and guidance. The Spirit's role in the Old Testament includes inspiring prophets and enabling them to carry out their missions (e.g., Ezekiel 2:2). This also prefigures the New Testament understanding of the Holy Spirit's work in the life of Jesus (Luke 4:18) and the early church (Acts 1:8).

Persons / Places / Events

1. Isaiah
The prophet who is delivering God's message to the people of Israel. He is a central figure in the book of Isaiah, serving as God's mouthpiece.

2. The Lord GOD
Refers to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, who is sovereign and actively involved in the affairs of His people.

3. The Spirit
The Holy Spirit, who is mentioned as accompanying the one sent by the Lord GOD, indicating divine empowerment and presence.

4. Israel
The primary audience of Isaiah's message, God's chosen people who are being called to listen and respond to His word.

5. The Beginning
Refers to the time of creation or the inception of God's plans, emphasizing His eternal nature and foreknowledge.

Teaching Points

God's Eternal Presence
God has been present and active from the beginning of time. This assures us of His sovereignty and faithfulness throughout history and in our lives today.

The Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is integral to God's mission, empowering and guiding His messengers. We, too, are empowered by the Spirit to fulfill God's purposes.

The Call to Listen and Obey
Just as Israel was called to listen, we are invited to draw near to God and heed His word. This requires intentionality and openness to His guidance.

God's Revelation is Not Secret
God desires to be known and has revealed Himself openly through His word and actions. We are encouraged to seek understanding and share His truth with others.

The Sending of God's Servants
God sends His servants with a purpose, accompanied by His Spirit. We are called to recognize our own sending and mission in the world.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does understanding God's eternal presence from "the beginning" impact your trust in Him today?

2. In what ways can you be more attentive to the Holy Spirit's guidance in your daily life?

3. Reflect on a time when you felt God was sending you to accomplish a specific task. How did you respond, and what was the outcome?

4. How can you actively listen to God's word in a world full of distractions?

5. Consider the role of the Holy Spirit in the early church as described in Acts. How can this inspire your involvement in your local church community?

Connections to Other Scriptures

John 1:1-14
This passage connects to Isaiah 48:16 by highlighting the Word's presence from the beginning and His incarnation, paralleling the themes of divine sending and presence.

Acts 1:8
The mention of the Spirit in Isaiah 48:16 is echoed in Acts, where the Holy Spirit empowers believers for witness, showing continuity in God's work through His Spirit.

Genesis 1:2
The Spirit's involvement in creation is a foundational theme that ties back to Isaiah 48:16, where the Spirit accompanies the one sent by God.