Isaiah 12

Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts” (Isa. 8:18).

This statement by the prophet Isaiah is a key to understanding the meaning of the events and prophecies in this section. In his previous messages, Isaiah focused on the spiritual needs of his people, but in this section he deals with the political situation and the failure of the leaders to trust the Lord. Four symbolic names are involved in Isaiah’s messages, each of them with a very special meaning: Emmanuel, Maher-shalalhash-baz, Shear-jashub, and Isaiah.

A. During the time of Josiah’s rule—2–13 1. The sins of the nation—2—6 2. The temple messages—7—10 3. The broken covenant—11—13

B. The coming Babylonian invasion—14—16 C. The Sabbath message—17 D. The potter’s house sermons—18—19

E. Messages to the leaders—20—24 F. Judah’s captivity—25—29 G. National restoration—30—33

A. Ministry during the siege—34—38 1. To King Zedekiah—34, 37—38 2. To King Jehoiakim—35—36

B. Jerusalem falls—39 A. To Egypt—46 B. To Philistia—47 C. To Moab—48 D. To Ammon, Moab, Edom, Syria, Kedar, and Elam—49

E. To Babylon—50—51 J e r e m i a h J o n a h E s t h e r M i c a h J o b L a m e n t a t i o n s N a h u m P s a l m s E z e k i e l H a b a k k u k P r o v e r b s D a n i e l Z e p h a n i a h E c c l e s i a s t e s H o s e a H a g g a i S o n g o f J o e l Z e c h a r i a h S o l o m o n A m o s M a l a c h i I s a i a h O b a d i a h

Isaiah’s name means “Jehovah is salvation,” and “salvation” is a key theme in this song. “In that day” refers to the day of Israel’s regathering and reunion and the righteous reign of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Jewish remnant will have come through the time of tribulation on earth (“the time of Jacob’s trouble,” Jer. 30:7), seen their Messiah, repented, and received Him by faith (Zech. 12:10–13:1; 14:4–11). Cleansed and established in their promised kingdom, the nation will praise the Lord and extol Him among the Gentiles.

The refrain in Isaiah 12:2—“Thy Lord, even Jehovah, is my strength and my son; he also is become my salvation”—was sung at the Exodus (Ex. 15:2) and at the rededication of the temple in Ezra’s day (Ps. 118:14). It was sung by the Red Sea after the Jews had been delivered from Egypt by Moses, a prophet. It was sung in Jerusalem when the second temple was dedicated under the leadership of Ezra, a priest. It will be sung again when the Jewish nation accepts Jesus Christ as its King. They will recognize Him as “the Holy One of Israel” and willingly obey His holy law.

This joyful song closes this section of Isaiah in which the prophet has used four significant names to tell the people what God had planned for them. Because of Emmanuel, there is a message of hope. Maher-shalal-hash-baz gives a warning of judgment, but his brother Shear-jashub speaks of a promise of mercy. The father’s name, Isaiah, brings a song of rejoicing as the people discover that Jehovah is indeed their salvation.

The Lord will never forsake His people. No matter how difficult the days may be, or how long the nights, for the people of God, the best is yet to come.