The Lord wants the people to confess that they did not know these things in advance. They had no way of speculating that such events could possibly transpire in the amazing and marvelous way that they did. The Lord then adds a note that reflects the frustrations and sorrows of a loving Heavenly Father who must resort to such measures in order to get his children to believe in him and accept him as their God and Creator. The Lord says that in spite of his love for his children, he knew that during the second estate many of them would deal very treacherously with him and be counted transgressors with rebellious hearts from the day they were born. Now we come to three verses where the Lord explains why he has endured his so-called “chosen” people in spite of their rebellion and apostasy:
9. Nevertheless, for my name’s sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain from thee, that I cut thee not off. 10. For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. 11. For mine own sake, yea, for mine own sake will I do this, for I will not suffer my name to be polluted, and I will not give my glory unto another.
Now we come to the Lord’s clarion call to his people:
“Hearken unto me, O Jacob, and Israel my called, for I am he; I am the first, and I am also the last.”