Isaiah was given a difficult preaching assignment. He was to preach knowing that the people of Israel would not “understand,” nor “perceive” his message. The Israelites had been given the greatest access to the Word and works of God of any people in history, yet they had not listened to His Word, nor remembered His works. Therefore, God’s judgment would be according to their sin. He would continue to declare His Word and perform His works before them, yet they would not hear, nor see. The fulfillment of this prophecy was during the time of Christ, who was the supreme revelation of God to His people, yet they did not receive Him. Jesus quoted this passage from Isaiah many times during His earthly ministry knowing that only a remnant would believe (Matt. 13:14-15, Mark 4:12, John 12:40).
I’m glad that we have a new preaching mission today, the same one given to the apostle Paul by Jesus “to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me” (Acts 26:18).