Now go - This is a direction to the prophet to make a permanent record of the character of the Jewish people. The fact to be recorded was, that they were rebellious Isaiah 30:9; the design for which the record was to be made was to show to future times that this had been the uniform character of the nation. The record was to be preserved that it might be a proof of the care of God toward the nation even in the midst of their long-continued and obstinate perverseness.
Write it before them - Before the Jews themselves, that they may see the record, and may have it constantly before them.
In a table - Or ON a table. The word לוח lûach denotes a tablet either of stone to engrave upon Deuteronomy 9:9; Exodus 31:18; or of wood 1 Kings 7:36. It is not improbable that this was to be exposed to public view in some conspicuous place near the temple.
And note it - Engrave it; that is, record it.
In a book - On parchment, or in the usual way of writing (see the note at Isaiah 8:1).
For the time to come - Hebrew as Margin, ‘The latter day.’ It was to be made in order that future ages might know what had been the character of that people, and what had been the patience and forbearance of God in regard to them.