Isaiah 42:22-24

But this is a people robbed, &c.— It was reasonably to be expected, that the Jews, blessed with so great privileges, would have been greatly honoured and respected: but, abusing those privileges, their case and situation has been in various periods what the prophet describes in this verse, and the subsequent part of the chapter; broken, plundered, spoiled, despised by other nations, subject to the insolence of conquerors, shut up in prisons, trod upon, abused and punished in such a manner, as may justly raise the greatest commiseration. Their history, since the crucifixion of the Redeemer, supplies us with one continued detail of their miseries and afflictions; yet,—which is most astonishing,—Who among them giveth ear? Who heareth for the time to come? Who among them considereth the cause of their sufferings, and becometh obedient to the law of Christ.