Isaiah summoned an unidentified authority to bring out the Israelites: the spiritually blind and deaf (cf. Isaiah 42:18-25; cf. Deuteronomy 29:4; Jeremiah 5:21). The setting of this scene is a courtroom. The prophet was summoning them so God could address them ( Isaiah 43:10) as His witnesses. Imagine calling blind and deaf people as witnesses in a court of law! Yet the Lord would use even them to testify to His greatness. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
Isaiah 43:1-13 - Jehovah's Witnesses
The magnificent conception of Isaiah 43:1-28 underlies this. We have still the convocation of mankind, summoned to decide whether Jehovah or some idol god shall be recognized as the supreme deity. In the arena are rows of helpless images rich in paint and tinsel, but mute and helpless, Isaiah 43:8-9. Jehovah, to vindicate His claims, calls into the witness box His Chosen People, that they may tell what they have known, tasted, and handled, of the Word of life, Isaiah 43:10.
This special function is not confined to the Hebrew race. By the express words of our Lord it is shared by the Church. See Acts 1:8. As our Lord bore witness to truth, His subjects are summoned to do the same. See 1 Timothy 6:13-14; Revelation 1:5.
Let us witness to the love that never tires. "Fear not, thou art mine." Let us witness to a purpose that never falters, Isaiah 43:1 and Isaiah 43:7. Let us witness to a deliverance that never disappoints. We are not saved from fire and water, but are delivered in the midst of them by the never-failing presence of our King. Let us ask for the Spirit of Truth to witness with us, Acts 5:31-32. [source]
Chapter Summary: Isaiah 43
1The Lord comforts the church with his promises 8He appeals to the people for witness of his omnipotence 14He foretells them the destruction of Babylon 18And his wonderful deliverance of his people 22He reproves the people as inexcusable
What do the individual words in Isaiah 43:8 mean?
Bring outthe peopleblindand eyeswho haveand the deafand earswho have