1 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.
2 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.
3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
4 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.
5 Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.
6 Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.
Isaiah Chapter 12 is a brief chapter, containing only six verses, in the book of Isaiah in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible. Despite its brevity, it is a chapter full of profound spiritual significance and symbolism. This chapter serves as a hymn of praise, expressing gratitude to God for His salvation and declaring faith in His promise of redemption. The chapter is a testament to the joy and peace that comes from trusting in God and experiencing His salvation.
The book of Isaiah, authored by the prophet Isaiah, is one of the major prophetic books in the Old Testament. It is primarily a book of prophecy, foretelling the coming of the Messiah and the end times. The 12th chapter, however, deviates from the prophetic tone of the preceding chapters and instead focuses on praise and thanksgiving to God.
To fully understand the meaning and significance of Isaiah Chapter 12, it is necessary to consider its context. The preceding chapters (7-11) contain a series of prophecies concerning the judgment and eventual restoration of Judah. These prophecies were given during a time of political unrest and impending war, a period when the people of Judah were living in fear and uncertainty.
In the midst of these prophecies of doom, Isaiah delivers a message of hope and assurance in Chapter 12. He assures the people of Judah that God will save them from their enemies and restore them to prosperity. He encourages them to trust in God's promise of salvation and to express their gratitude through songs of praise.
Isaiah Chapter 12 can be divided into two main sections. Verses 1-3 express gratitude to God for His salvation, while verses 4-6 call upon the people to praise and proclaim God's deeds among the nations.
The chapter begins with the speaker, presumably Isaiah, expressing his personal gratitude to God for His salvation. He states, "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" (Isaiah 12:1, KJV). This verse acknowledges God's previous anger, presumably due to the people's sins, but emphasizes that His anger has been turned away and replaced with comfort.
The speaker continues in verse 2, declaring his faith in God's salvation. He states, "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" (Isaiah 12:2, KJV). This verse expresses complete trust in God and acknowledges Him as the source of strength and salvation.
In verse 3, the speaker uses the imagery of drawing water from the wells of salvation to symbolize the joy and satisfaction that comes from experiencing God's salvation. He states, "Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation" (Isaiah 12:3, KJV). This verse implies that God's salvation is an abundant and continuous source of joy.
The second section of the chapter (verses 4-6) shifts from personal gratitude to a communal call for praise. The speaker encourages the people to give thanks to God, to call upon His name, and to proclaim His deeds among the nations. He states, "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" (Isaiah 12:4, KJV).
In verses 5 and 6, the speaker urges the people to sing to the Lord, for He has done excellent things and His greatness is known throughout the earth. The chapter concludes with a reminder of God's presence among His people. The speaker declares, "Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee" (Isaiah 12:6, KJV).
Isaiah Chapter 12, while brief, carries significant theological implications. It emphasizes the themes of God's salvation, the joy that comes from trusting in God, and the importance of praising and proclaiming God's deeds.
The chapter underscores the concept of salvation as a gift from God, not something that can be earned through human efforts. This aligns with the New Testament teaching of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). Furthermore, the imagery of drawing water from the wells of salvation suggests that God's salvation is not a one-time event, but a continuous source of spiritual nourishment and joy.
Another key theme in this chapter is the joy and peace that comes from trusting in God. The speaker expresses complete trust in God, declaring that he will not be afraid because God is his strength and salvation. This serves as a reminder to believers to put their trust in God, regardless of their circumstances, and to experience the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
The chapter also underscores the importance of praising God and proclaiming His deeds among the nations. This aligns with the biblical mandate for believers to be witnesses of God's love and salvation to the world (Matthew 28:19-20). The speaker encourages the people to praise God, to call upon His name, and to declare His deeds, emphasizing the communal aspect of worship and evangelism.
In conclusion, Isaiah Chapter 12 is a hymn of praise that celebrates God's salvation and encourages believers to trust in Him, to experience His joy, and to proclaim His deeds among the nations. Despite its brevity, it carries profound spiritual significance and offers valuable insights for believers today.
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