And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.
Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.
Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.
Isaiah 12 concludes a significant section that begins in Isaiah 7, looking forward to a glorious future kingdom for Israel. Following the powerful imagery of Isaiah 11, which depicts the reign of the Messiah, the "root of Jesse" (Isaiah 11:10), this chapter transitions into a hymn of praise, anticipating the day when Israel will acknowledge God's salvation. This is a radical shift from the pronouncements of judgment that precede it, and it precedes a shift into prophecies against the Gentile nations that oppressed Israel.
The Day of the Lord's Favor (Isaiah 12:1-3)
Isaiah 12:1-3 describes a future time when the Lord’s anger will be turned away as He becomes the salvation of His chosen people. "In that day you will say: “I will praise you, Lord! Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away, and you have comforted me." (Isaiah 12:1). This verse highlights a profound change in Israel's relationship with God. They will acknowledge that God was rightfully angry with them due to their unfaithfulness. However, they will also express deep gratitude for His mercy in restraining His anger and offering them comfort.
This prophecy would have been difficult for the original audience to grasp, living as they were through the consequences of their disobedience. Facing devastation, exile, and the seeming abandonment of God, a future of peace and gratitude must have felt distant. Yet, Isaiah insists that judgment is not the final word. Salvation will come through the Messiah, the Holy One of Israel.
The prophet continues, "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation." (Isaiah 12:2). In that day, they will declare that God alone is their salvation. Their trust in Him will be complete, banishing all fear. They will proclaim that He is their strength, their song, and their salvation, acknowledging that He alone deserves the credit for their deliverance. They will not attribute their salvation to any foreign king or false god, but recognize that God alone is their source of hope and redemption. They will joyfully participate in the Lord's salvation, fully and eternally provided for by the Lord.
With hearts overflowing with gratitude, they will draw water from the wells of salvation (Isaiah 12:3). This imagery suggests a joyful and abundant participation in the blessings of God's saving grace. They will experience the fullness of His presence and provision, drawing deeply from the wellspring of His love and mercy.
A Call to Proclaim His Glory (Isaiah 12:4-6)
Isaiah 12:4-6 broadens the scope of praise, calling on Israel to share the good news of God's salvation with the entire world. "In that day you will say: “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted." (Isaiah 12:4). The Lord’s people will call on one another to praise God. They will encourage each other to share the stories of His works among the peoples of the world. They will make clear as day to all nations to join them in exalting the name of the Messiah.
The prophet urges them to "Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you." (Isaiah 12:5-6). This time in Israel's future will be a party. They will sing public praises to the Lord and call attention to His glory. They will spread the word of His greatness to every corner of the globe. The inhabitants of Zion, Jerusalem, will shout and sing for joy because the Promised Savior Israel is with them.
This section of Isaiah concludes with a resounding affirmation of God's presence and power among His people. There will be singing and rejoicing when the Holy One of Israel lives among and rules over them (Isaiah 12:6). The Messiah's reign will be characterized by justice, peace, and the manifest presence of God. This will be a time of unparalleled joy and celebration for Israel, as they experience the fulfillment of God's promises and the restoration of His kingdom.
Isaiah 12 serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and His ultimate plan for salvation. It encourages us to look beyond the present difficulties and to anticipate the day when God will fully reveal His glory and establish His kingdom on earth. It is a call to trust in Him, to praise Him, and to share the good news of His salvation with all the world.
And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.
Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.
Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.
Isaiah 12 concludes a significant section that begins in Isaiah 7, looking forward to a glorious future kingdom for Israel. Following the powerful imagery of Isaiah 11, which depicts the reign of the Messiah, the "root of Jesse" (Isaiah 11:10), this chapter transitions into a hymn of praise, anticipating the day when Israel will acknowledge God's salvation. This is a radical shift from the pronouncements of judgment that precede it, and it precedes a shift into prophecies against the Gentile nations that oppressed Israel.
The Day of the Lord's Favor (Isaiah 12:1-3)
Isaiah 12:1-3 describes a future time when the Lord’s anger will be turned away as He becomes the salvation of His chosen people. "In that day you will say: “I will praise you, Lord! Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away, and you have comforted me." (Isaiah 12:1). This verse highlights a profound change in Israel's relationship with God. They will acknowledge that God was rightfully angry with them due to their unfaithfulness. However, they will also express deep gratitude for His mercy in restraining His anger and offering them comfort.
This prophecy would have been difficult for the original audience to grasp, living as they were through the consequences of their disobedience. Facing devastation, exile, and the seeming abandonment of God, a future of peace and gratitude must have felt distant. Yet, Isaiah insists that judgment is not the final word. Salvation will come through the Messiah, the Holy One of Israel.
The prophet continues, "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation." (Isaiah 12:2). In that day, they will declare that God alone is their salvation. Their trust in Him will be complete, banishing all fear. They will proclaim that He is their strength, their song, and their salvation, acknowledging that He alone deserves the credit for their deliverance. They will not attribute their salvation to any foreign king or false god, but recognize that God alone is their source of hope and redemption. They will joyfully participate in the Lord's salvation, fully and eternally provided for by the Lord.
With hearts overflowing with gratitude, they will draw water from the wells of salvation (Isaiah 12:3). This imagery suggests a joyful and abundant participation in the blessings of God's saving grace. They will experience the fullness of His presence and provision, drawing deeply from the wellspring of His love and mercy.
A Call to Proclaim His Glory (Isaiah 12:4-6)
Isaiah 12:4-6 broadens the scope of praise, calling on Israel to share the good news of God's salvation with the entire world. "In that day you will say: “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted." (Isaiah 12:4). The Lord’s people will call on one another to praise God. They will encourage each other to share the stories of His works among the peoples of the world. They will make clear as day to all nations to join them in exalting the name of the Messiah.
The prophet urges them to "Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you." (Isaiah 12:5-6). This time in Israel's future will be a party. They will sing public praises to the Lord and call attention to His glory. They will spread the word of His greatness to every corner of the globe. The inhabitants of Zion, Jerusalem, will shout and sing for joy because the Promised Savior Israel is with them.
This section of Isaiah concludes with a resounding affirmation of God's presence and power among His people. There will be singing and rejoicing when the Holy One of Israel lives among and rules over them (Isaiah 12:6). The Messiah's reign will be characterized by justice, peace, and the manifest presence of God. This will be a time of unparalleled joy and celebration for Israel, as they experience the fulfillment of God's promises and the restoration of His kingdom.
Isaiah 12 serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and His ultimate plan for salvation. It encourages us to look beyond the present difficulties and to anticipate the day when God will fully reveal His glory and establish His kingdom on earth. It is a call to trust in Him, to praise Him, and to share the good news of His salvation with all the world.