My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

Many religious persons think they are safe if they can speak only of others what is true. But this is not all; every evil must not be divulged, some must be covered with love; there may be malice in reporting the truth. An eager desire to spread a fault wanteth not sin.

Surely all his companions would be ashamed;
And the workmen, they are mere men.
Let them all be gathered together,
Let them stand up;
Yet they shall fear,
They shall be ashamed together.

In this passage, therefore, Isaiah appeals to the consciences of wicked men; because, although they are actuated by the most invetrate obstinacy and rebellion, yet sometimes they are constrained to tremble, when they ask themselves, “What are we doing?” and inquire into the reason of their actions; for they have nothing that is firm or solid, on which they can safely rest.

Those who make an image, all of them are useless,
And their precious things shall not profit;
They are their own witnesses;
They neither see nor know, that they may be ashamed.

Thus beleivers alone will render a true testimony to their God, because he knows, directs, and governs all things. The rest must at length be ashamed, though now they defend their errors with mad eagerness; for their conscience is a witness that nothing but opinion and a vain imagination holds their minds captive.

Those who make an image, all of them are useless,
And their precious things shall not profit;
They are their own witnesses;
They neither see nor know, that they may be ashamed.

The Lord now shews, on the contrary, how wretched idolaters are who wander amidst their contrivances, and are not founded on the eternal truth of God; for they have no knowledge or sound understanding.
Note: The Hebrew for “useless” in 44:9 is the same word used to refer to the ‘formlessness’ that existed before creation, as in “The earth was without form and void.” It is the pinnacle (maybe “absolute depth”) of chaos.

And who can proclaim as I do?
Then let him declare it and set it in order for Me,
Since I appointed the ancient people.
And the things that are coming and shall come,
Let them show these to them.

The object intended to be gained by our knowledge of the glory of God is, that we should profess his truth before men, as has already been said, if we do not wish to extinguish the light which he hath brought to us by his Spirit. Again, we cannot be “witnesses to God” if we are not confirmed by his truth; for a testimony proceeding from a doubtful opinion would be of no avail, and therefore we must be taught by the Word of God, so as to have a fixed and unhesitating hope of salvation.

And who can proclaim as I do?
Then let him declare it and set it in order for Me,
Since I appointed the ancient people.
And the things that are coming and shall come,
Let them show these to them.

It would be of no advantage to us that God knows and can do all things, if it were not also revealed how great concern he takes in our salvation. Although, therefore, he wishes that many things should be unknown to us, yet he communicates everything that is useful or advantageous for us to know….for the Lord reveals his secrets to the elect, when he sees a fit season…

And who can proclaim as I do?
Then let him declare it and set it in order for Me,
Since I appointed the ancient people.
And the things that are coming and shall come,
Let them show these to them.

In the present instance the object is, that when they were fiercely insulted by the Babylonian conquerors, they might not be discouraged, or think that their hopes were disappointed; for the taunts that were hurled at them by wicked men were exceedingly harsh and insolent. “Where is their God?” (Psalm lxxix. 10.) “Why does he not assist you?” Such blasphemies might shake the minds of believers, and disturb them in such a manner that they would throw away hope and confidence; and therefore the Prophet dwells more earnestly on this matter, in order to confirm believers more and more.

My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

Well, then, when you are about to censure, check it with this thought–What power hath God given me over my fallen brother? ‘Why should I judge another man’s servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth.’ Rom. xiv. 4. It is a wrong to God to put myself in his room; it is a wrong to my neighbor to arrogate a power over him which God never gave me. We all stand upon the same level; needless and unprofitable censuring is but a bold usurpation; and besides the idleness of the words, we shall give an account for the sauciness of them.

“Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel,
And his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts:
‘I am the First and I am the Last;
Besides Me there is no God.

But when God familiarly addresses us, and declares that he is united to us, faith, allured by so gentle an invitation, rises up out of hell itself.

“Pride is the oldest and most common of sins. Humility is the rarest and most beautiful of graces.” ~ J.C. Ryle