8 Bring out the people who are blind, even though they have eyes,
And the deaf, even though they have ears.
9 All the nations have gathered together
So that the peoples may be assembled.
Who among them can declare this
And proclaim to us the former things?
Let them present their witnesses that they may be justified,
Or let them hear and say, “It is true.”
10 “You are My witnesses,” declares the Lord,
“And My servant whom I have chosen,
So that you may know and believe Me
And understand that I am He.
Before Me there was no God formed,
And there will be none after Me.
11 “I, even I, am the Lord,
And there is no savior besides Me.
12 “It is I who have declared and saved and proclaimed,
And there was no strange god among you;
So you are My witnesses,” declares the Lord,
“And I am God.
13 “Even [b]from eternity I am He,
And there is none who can deliver out of My hand;
I act and who can reverse it?”
There is a contrast in this passage from the folks in v. 8 to those in vv. 10 & 12. We see again this idea that there are blind and deaf people, despite having fully functional ears and eyes. That is, they aren’t really blind or deaf, but they sure live and act like it. On the flip side, there are those who God calls His “witnesses”.
These are those who go beyond believing in God–the demons believe also and shudder (James 2:19). And not only do they speak of Him, but (most importantly) they live a life such that they are witnesses of His glory. But I don’t think this is just a contrast of those who are children of God and those who are not. For even with the Israelites, who were called to be set apart by God, many did not follow in His ways.
So it is with the church of today, and I don’t just mean those who go to church and pretend to follow God, with no intent of really serving Him. Rather, for any of us, who really do want to follow God, there is a temptation to live in as if we were ignorant of God’s commands. One key is right here at the end, in v. 13 where God says, “I act and who can reverse it?”
If we know this truth, that God is sovereign, all powerful, and all knowing, even of the future… why do we live otherwise? Why do we choose our own way instead of His? I’m not speaking to any sort of vague “finding God’s will for my life” sort of thing. But rather, the things we know we shouldn’t do, and the things we know we should do, and don’t (both sin).
We each (me too) need to search our hearts and “see if there be any wicked way” in us. Or rather, ask God to search our hearts, and show us what needs to change. It’s likely to be uncomfortable. Why else would folks live as deaf and blind when they aren’t? Because sometimes it’s more comfortable to pretend we are “disabled” than to submit our hearts and lives to God. Ouch!
As Peter wrote, “Submit to God, and resist the devil…” and resist your flesh too, which is often our greatest struggle. Yes, the devil is real, but he’s not here all the time, your stubborn, selfish flesh is. Again, we need to submit to God, and ask Him for help. We need it more than we want to admit, and He is ready and willing to give us the very help we need.