What does Isaiah 42:23 reveal about God's expectations for His people? Isaiah 42:23—The Call to Listen “Who among you will pay attention to this? Who will listen and obey hereafter?” Why God Poses the Question - Israel had ignored repeated warnings (vv. 18–22). - God’s rhetorical question exposes hearts: will anyone finally listen? - The verb “listen” (Hebrew shama‘) carries the dual sense of hearing and obeying (cf. Deuteronomy 6:4). God’s Core Expectations Revealed - Attentive Ears - God looks for people who tune in to His voice amid noise (Psalm 81:8; Revelation 2:7). - Responsive Hearts - Hearing must lead to obedience (James 1:22). - Future-Focused Faithfulness - “Hereafter” signals an ongoing commitment, not a one-time nod (Hebrews 2:1). - Reverence for Divine Discipline - The context speaks of judgment for deafness (Isaiah 42:24–25); God expects repentance that takes His correction seriously (Proverbs 3:11-12). Illustrations from the Rest of Scripture - Samuel: “Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10). - Jeremiah’s audience refused to listen and faced exile (Jeremiah 7:24-26). - Jesus echoed Isaiah: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15). Practical Takeaways for Today - Schedule unhurried time in the Word—God still speaks primarily through Scripture. - Act promptly on conviction; delayed obedience is disobedience. - Invite accountability; share what you are hearing with another believer. - Expect God’s correction as an expression of love, not rejection (Hebrews 12:5-6). Summing Up Isaiah 42:23 shows that God expects His people to listen actively, obey earnestly, and continue doing so into the future. Anything less is spiritual deafness. |
    |