Isaiah 48:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

You have listened—observe everything around you! Do you not acknowledge it? This implies that you have overlooked it. Now I present to you something new, referring to what is to be fulfilled at the time of the liberation from bondage.

You have listened to these words from me, yet you did not grasp their meaning; you were not discerning or wise. We contend that true understanding lies in this very realization; it would demonstrate wisdom and the outcome of remarkable insight to avert what was prophesied, rather than merely anticipating the disasters to occur, aiming instead to evade all anger and retribution. These prophecies were revealed by God prior to the occurrence of the events.

The Simmach states: From the moment of your birth, you have been labeled a rebel. Therefore, it was not your own actions that led to this, but rather my own human experience, as I predicted and revealed to you what lay ahead regarding the demise of your adversaries. I sought through all prophetic utterances to rescue you.