I have declared the former things— The proof is here again drawn from the prediction of casual future events; either because this argument is unanswerable, and adapted to every capacity, or because Isaiah, while he proves the truth of the God of Israel by this argument, at the same time establishes his own authority as a prophet. See Jeremiah 28:9. The former things, mean such events as had been predicted, and were already come to pass; see chap. Isaiah 42:9 and more particularly those prophesies of Isaiah respecting the Jewish state, delivered in the former part of this book. The meaning of the last clause of this period, Isaiah 48:6 is, "Thou hast heard, saith God, the whole of what 1 speak clearly foretold; which I would have thee diligently consider, carefully look into, and observe. Thou hast also seen the remarkable completion of these predictions. Can there be then so great a perversity of mind in thee, as to deny either of these things, or to refuse to declare and proclaim them. But if you declare and confess them, as your conscience must compel you, you cannot but give to me, and me alone, the due praise of true divinity." Our translation published in the reign of Henry VIII. reads this clause; Thou heardest, and behold, it came to pass; and shall not you yourselves confess the same? See Vitringa.
Related Commentaries of Isaiah 48:3
Isaiah 48:3-6
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.
4 Because I knew that thou art obstinate,a and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass;
5 I have even from the beginning declared it to thee; before it came to pass I shewed it thee: lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them.
6 Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare it? I have shewed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them.