There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.
(No peace ... unto the wicked. Repeated at Isaiah 57:21. All the blessings just mentioned (Isaiah 48:21) belong only to the godly, not to the wicked. Israel shall first cast away its wicked unbelief before it shall inherit national prosperity (Zechariah 12:10-14; Zechariah 13:1; Zechariah 13:9; Zechariah 14:3; Zechariah 14:14; Zechariah 14:20-21). The sentiment holds good also as to all wicked men (Job 15:20-25; Job 15:31-34). This verse marks the close of the first book of the second part of Isaiah, as Isaiah 57:21 separates the second book from the third.
Remarks: They especially need rousing reproof who "stay themselves upon" the name without the reality of Remarks: They especially need rousing reproof who "stay themselves upon" the name, without the reality, of the citizenship of "the holy city." Whosoever 'makes mention of the God of Israel,' must see that in truth he is of "the Israel of God." Natural descent from a godly fountain will not stand in stead of spiritual birth of God. Fulfilled prophecy is the strongest outward evidence of the truth of revelation. The 'sudden' accomplishment of what God "declared from of old," when human sagacity could not have anticipated it, is enough to silence the most "obstinate." Besides the old things of the Jewish dispensation, God has showed us in the Gospel "new things," even things, 'hidden in God from the beginning of the world.' Though old in the purpose of God, the Gospel work is in its manifestation to us "created now and not from the beginning." How we should beware, in the midst of such privileges, lest we, like Israel, should "deal treacherously" toward our loving God.