Here we have Isaiah defending himself against his critics in Jerusalem. He says they have no excuse for rejecting him and his warnings of a coming destruction of Jerusalem. They can't dispose of him as an ignorant rustic because he has the tongue of the learned -- one of the most educated men in Jerusalem. And he has not been dilatory in his mission. He says the Lord awakens him from early morning to get out and teach the people and warn the people. He has demonstrated the validity of his testimony by allowing himself to be whipped, slapped on the cheeks, have his beard pulled and even allowed people to spit in his face. But he says he will persevere. He says he will set his face like flint and in the end he knows he will be vindicated by the Lord.