Isaiah 48:6, commentary and pictures

God showed Israel new things from that time onward, even hidden things they had not previously known and had not known at all until He revealed them. He made them known beforehand so that when they came to pass Israel could not say an idol had done them or give idols the credit for what occurred. Having heard these revelations, they were to look upon the whole of them, take them to heart, and acknowledge and declare them openly.

The verse stands with the messages of Isaiah 48, 51, 52, 58, and 60, which are to stir the soul, to be kept in mind, and to lead to seeking the Lord and doing the essential works that must be done. In that setting it presses the giving of the testing truth for this time, the commandments of God, in a straight and plain way so as to reach souls. It marks out part of the work appointed to be done at this time, calling for united and determined effort now without delay to proclaim the message throughout the world and to do decided soul-saving work in the cities.

That appointed work means increasing the number of workers and bringing in means to carry it forward, putting on the armor, reconsecration, living in harmony with the Lord God and with Christ His Son, and willingness to do His bidding. It means resisting the temptation to enter commercial enterprises, and lay members who have means using their means promptly without delay to help the work. In present application the verse rebukes those who have received repeated truth, instruction, and warnings yet refuse to listen, treating what God has spoken as nothing and repeating Israel's obstinacy in rejecting the testimony of the Spirit. The work it urges is to be done so as to give opponents no occasion to question the work God is doing through the testimonies, and to avoid falling into hostile hands by agitating non-vital questions that cause division and waste spiritual strength.