There are times in Isaiah’s Gospel when God teaches His Church through a rebuke of His people’s condition.  That’s the case in Isaiah 48:16-22.  Isaiah 48:17 describes our Lord in terms of His ability to teach and lead His people.  However, Isaiah 48:18 states that God’s people did not pay attention to His instruction.  The rest of Isaiah 48:18-21 explain all the good things that would have happened if God’s people had paid attention to His instruction.  Then, the section closes (Isaiah 48:22) with a frightening reminder of reality: “There is no peace…for the wicked.”  All through Isaiah, God has been warning His people that they cannot expect future deliverance if they look like the nations around them.  Isaiah 48:22 provides a strong call for God’s people to turn from their unbelief and begin to pay attention to His instruction.  These preaching portions provide numerous opportunities to teach God’s people how redemption in Christ leads to a new life.