Messiah’s Messianic Kingdom.
This chapter is headed “A Hymn of Praise”. We see here Isaiah’s vision of the joy of the regathered remnant who express themselves in song and proclamation of their joy in Adonai. Israel in the messianic kingdom is completely dependent on Adonai; all previous political entanglements are over. These song and proclamations come after the second exodus (chapter 11: 11 – 15). They resemble the hymn of praise from Moses and Miriam after the exodus from Egypt (Exodus chapter 15).
Exodus 15: 2.
“The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.”
Exodus 15:21.
“… Sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and the rider He has thrown into the sea!”
The song of praise in chapter 12 of Isaiah will be sung by redeemed Israel at the beginning of the messianic kingdom. It is the earthly counterpart of the heavenly doxology of Revelation.
Revelation 19: 6 and 7.
“And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife had made herself ready.”
The song and proclamations of Isaiah 12 reflect Israel’s thanksgiving to, and trust in, Adonai. In their joy the saved remnant will give praise, and they will be Adonai’s missionaries to the nations. Inviting them to come to the Lord of salvation. All Israel remaining at that time will have been saved.
Verse 1.
“And in that day you will say: “O Lord, I will praise You; though You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me.”
This is Isaiah’s vision of a future event (“in that day”) i.e., following the regathering of Chapter 11. The anger of Adonai which caused the people to be dispersed among the nations has passed. We saw that anger in chapter 5.
Isaiah 5: 25.
“Therefore the anger of the Lord is aroused against His people; He has stretched out His hand against them and stricken them.”
But now the hand of Adonai is stretched out to “comfort” them.
Following the rejection of Messiah by the Jewish leadership, Israel was scattered and persecuted among the nations. But having returned to their own land and survived the Great Tribulation, the remnant will participate in all the glories of the messianic kingdom. They will, of course, have recognised the substitutional death of Messiah. The entire population will sing with such unity and undivided heart, as one redeemed people.
Verse 2.
“Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for Yah, the Lord is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.”
In the wonderful messianic kingdom, Israel will sing songs of thanksgiving and of trust. Adonai will have delivered the faithful of Israel from their political opponents and from the spiritual consequences of their sin. This is the salvation which Yahweh, the covenant–keeping God alone has provided.
Isaiah 26: 4.
“Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.”
Verse 3.
“Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”
In scripture “water” is often associated with salvation. Of course, in a hot climate, water is very important and not always guaranteed. The provision of wells and springs of regarded as evidence of a divine gift.
Isaih 55: 1.
“Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters.” (an invitation to abundant life).
We should recall the words of the Lord to the Samaritan woman at the well.
John 4: 13 and 14.
“Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
Verse 4.
“And in that day you will say: “Praise the Lord, call upon His name; declare His deeds among the peoples, make mention that His name is exalted.”
Following the future Day of the Lord, Israel will testify to the rest of the world (as was always intended they should) about the greatness and majesty of Adonai.
To give “praise”, means to give public acknowledgment or to declare aloud in public. And to “call upon HIs name” may be rephrased as “proclaim in His name”. That there is to be a declaration and making mention (cause to be remembered) of His name, are expressions amounting to international evangelism “among the peoples.”
Verse 5.
“Sing to the Lord, for He has done excellent things; this is known in all the earth.”
Israel is to make known the knowledge of Adonai and His works everywhere.
The principal audience for this song of praise is of course Adonai Himself and it will be well-received.
Psalm 33: 1.
“Rejoice in the Lord O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful.”
The Lord will have triumphed gloriously; He “has done excellent things”. He has vanquished Satan for 1,000 years and brought salvation to the righteous.
Verse 6.
“Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst!”
Here we see the greatest possible cause for joy. The redeemed of Israel are back in the land and Adonai is dwelling among them.
Zechariah 2: 10.
“Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,” says the Lord.