Israel is Reclaimed and Reunited, continued Isaiah 12:1-6

Transcription

1 1 Israel is Reclaimed and Reunited, continued Isaiah 12:1-6

2 2 Text: Isaiah 12:1-6, Israel is Reclaimed and Reunited, Continued 1. At that time you will say: I praise you, O LORD, for even though you were angry with me, your anger subsided, and you consoled me. 2. Look, God is my deliverer! I will trust in him and not fear. For the LORD gives me strength and protects me; he has become my deliverer. 3. Joyfully you will draw water from the springs of deliverance. 4. At that time you will say: Praise the LORD! Ask him for help! Publicize his mighty acts among the nations! Make it known that he is unique! 5. Sing to the LORD, for he has done magnificent things, let this be known throughout the earth! 6. Cry out and shout for joy, O citizens of Zion, for the Holy One of Israel acts mightily among you! Introduction: I. God delivers his faithful people!

3 3 A. God delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage and, in response, Moses and the Israelites sang praises. (See Hamilton.) B. Related references: 1. Exodus 14:21-31, Moses stretched out his hand toward the sea, and the LORD drove the sea apart by a strong east wind all that night, and he made the sea into dry land, and the water was divided. So the Israelites went through the middle of the sea on dry ground, the water forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. The Egyptians chased them and followed them into the middle of the sea all the horses of Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen. In the morning watch the LORD looked down on the Egyptian army through the pillar of fire and cloud, and he threw the Egyptian army into a panic. He jammed the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving, and the Egyptians said, Let s flee from Israel, for the LORD fights for them against Egypt! The Lord said to Moses, Extend your hand toward the sea, so that the waters may flow back on the Egyptians, on their chariots, and on their horsemen! So Moses extended his hand toward the sea, and the sea returned to its normal state when the sun began to rise. Now the Egyptians were fleeing before it, but the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the middle of the sea. The water returned and covered the

4 4 chariots and the horsemen and all the army of Pharaoh that was coming after the Israelites into the sea not so much as one of them survived! But the Israelites walked on dry ground in the middle of the sea, the water forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. So the LORD saved Israel on that day from the power of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the shore of the sea. When Israel saw the great power that the LORD had exercised over the Egyptians, they feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses. (NET) 2. Exodus 15:1-27, Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD. They said, I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously, the horse and its rider he has thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise him, my father s God, and I will exalt him. The LORD is a warrior, the LORD is his name. The chariots of Pharaoh and his army he has thrown into the sea, and his chosen officers were drowned in the Red Sea. The depths have covered them, they went down to the bottom like a stone. Your right hand, O LORD, was majestic in power, your right hand, O LORD, shattered the enemy. In the abundance of your majesty you have overthrown those who rise up against you. You sent forth your wrath; it consumed them like stubble. By the blast of your nostrils the waters

5 5 were piled up, the flowing water stood upright like a heap, and the deep waters were solidified in the heart of the sea. The enemy said, I will chase, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my desire will be satisfied on them. I will draw my sword, my hand will destroy them. But you blew with your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters. Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you? majestic in holiness, fearful in praises, working wonders? You stretched out your right hand, the earth swallowed them. By your loyal love you will lead the people whom you have redeemed; you will guide them by your strength to your holy dwelling place. The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will seize the inhabitants of Philistia. Then the chiefs of Edom will be terrified, trembling will seize the leaders of Moab, and the inhabitants of Canaan will shake. Fear and dread will fall on them; by the greatness of your arm they will be as still as stone until your people pass by, O LORD, until the people whom you have bought pass by. You will bring them in and plant them in the mountain of your inheritance, in the place you made for your residence, O Lord, the sanctuary, O LORD, that your hands have established. The LORD will reign forever and ever! For the horses of Pharaoh came with his chariots and his footmen into the sea, and the LORD brought back the waters of the sea on them,

6 6 but the Israelites walked on dry land in the middle of the sea. Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a hand-drum in her hand, and all the women went out after her with hand-drums and with dances. Miriam sang in response to them, Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and its rider he has thrown into the sea. The Bitter Water Then Moses led Israel to journey away from the Red Sea. They went out to the Desert of Shur, walked for three days into the desert, and found no water. Then they came to Marah, but they were not able to drink the waters of Marah, because they were bitter. (That is why its name was Marah.) So the people murmured against Moses, saying, What can we drink? He cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When Moses threw it into the water, the water became safe to drink. There the Lord made for them a binding ordinance, and there he tested them. He said, If you will diligently obey the LORD your God, and do what is right in his sight, and pay attention to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, then all the diseases that I brought on the Egyptians I will not bring on you, for I, the LORD, am your healer. Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees, and they camped there by the water. (NET) 3. Isaiah 12:1-6, At that time you will say: I praise you, O LORD, for even though you were

7 7 angry with me, your anger subsided, and you consoled me. Look, God is my deliverer! I will trust in him and not fear. For the LORD gives me strength and protects me; he has become my deliverer. Joyfully you will draw water from the springs of deliverance. At that time you will say: Praise the LORD! Ask him for help! Publicize his mighty acts among the nations! Make it known that he is unique! Sing to the LORD, for he has done magnificent things, let this be known throughout the earth! Cry out and shout for joy, O citizens of Zion, for the Holy One of Israel acts mightily among you! (NET) C. Similarly, after God delivered the Jews from Babylonian exile in a second exodus, Hamilton wrote, they would again sing praises. 1. Isaiah 11:10-16, At that time a root from Jesse will stand like a signal flag for the nations. Nations will look to him for guidance, and his residence will be majestic. At that time the sovereign master will again lift his hand to reclaim the remnant of his people from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and the seacoasts. He will lift a signal flag for the nations; he will gather Israel s dispersed people and assemble Judah s scattered people from the four corners of the earth. Ephraim s jealousy will end, and Judah s hostility will be eliminated. Ephraim will no longer be jealous of Judah, and Judah will no longer be

8 8 hostile toward Ephraim. They will swoop down on the Philistine hills to the west; together they will loot the people of the east. They will take over Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will be their subjects. The LORD will divide the gulf of the Egyptian Sea; he will wave his hand over the Euphrates River and send a strong wind, he will turn it into seven dried-up streams, and enable them to walk across in their sandals. There will be a highway leading out of Assyria for the remnant of his people, just as there was for Israel, when they went up from the land of Egypt. (NET) D. Hailey wrote that this refers to the redemption of the remnant. 1. When the remnant returned to Jehovah, his anger was turned away from them, and he comforted them. 2. Hailey further wrote, This, is the blessing of the redeemed sin has been forgiven; the light has appeared and now shines upon the people in darkness. E. The climax of Isaiah s discussion of the messianic reign, and the climax of the first twelve chapters of his message, is a brief hymn of praise. Appropriately, the hymn focuses on God, for only he could bring mankind from the depts. Of guilt to the heights of splendor that Isaiah has described in the first eleven chapters. F. Coffman advised that this chapter, a beautiful song of thanksgiving, references the deliverance of the Israelites

9 9 from Egyptian bondage, but has in special view the great deliverance from sin that comes to God s people under the New Covenant in that day. 1. The redeemed sing praises to God for his unspeakable deliverance! 2. Jeremiah 31:31-35, Indeed, a time is coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. It will not be like the old covenant that I made with their ancestors when I delivered them from Egypt. For they violated that covenant, even though I was like a faithful husband to them, says the LORD. But I will make a new covenant with the whole nation of Israel after I plant them back in the land, says the LORD. I will put my law within them and write it on their hearts and minds. I will be their God and they will be my people. People will no longer need to teach their neighbors and relatives to know me. For all of them, from the least important to the most important, will know me, says the LORD. For I will forgive their sin and will no longer call to mind the wrong they have done. The Lord Guarantees Israel s Continuance The LORD has made a promise to Israel. He promises it as the one who fixed the sun to give light by day and the moon and stars to give light by night. He promises it as the one who stirs up the sea so that its waves roll. He promises it as the one

10 10 who is known as the LORD who rules over all. (NET) G. Clarke wrote that this passage is much better calculated for the use of the Christian church than to any times that can be assigned in the history of the Jewish people. The Jews themselves seem to have applied it to the times of the Messiah. 1. Clarke and other commentators speak of the fact that on the last day of the feast of tabernacles they fetched water in a golden pitcher from the fountain at Shelaah springing at the foot of Mount Zion without the city; they brought it through the water-gate into the temple, and poured it, mixed with wine, on the sacrifice as it lay upon the altar, with great rejoicing. They seem to have taken up this custom as the emblem of special blessings, in allusion to this passage of Isaiah, Ye shall draw waters with joy from the fountain of salvation. 2. Jesus applied this passage to himself. a. John 7:37-39, On the last day of the feast, the greatest day, Jesus stood up and shouted out, If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. Just as the scripture says, From within him will flow rivers of living water. (Now he said this about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were going to receive, for the

11 11 Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.) (NET) H. The Pulpit Commentary points out that praise and thanksgiving should be a regular, sincere part of our lives. 1. Psalm 136:1-26, Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loyal love endures. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his loyal love endures. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his loyal love endures, to the one who performs magnificent, amazing deeds all by himself, for his loyal love endures, to the one who used wisdom to make the heavens, for his loyal love endures, to the one who spread out the earth over the water, for his loyal love endures, to the one who made the great lights, for his loyal love endures, the sun to rule by day, for his loyal love endures, the moon and stars to rule by night, for his loyal love endures, to the one who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, for his loyal love endures, and led Israel out from their midst, for his loyal love endures, with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his loyal love endures, to the one who divided the Red Sea in two, for his loyal love endures, and led Israel through its midst, for his loyal love endures, and tossed Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea, for his loyal love endures, to the one who led his people through the wilderness, for his loyal love endures, to the one who struck down great kings, for his loyal love endures, and killed powerful

12 12 kings, for his loyal love endures, Sihon, king of the Amorites, for his loyal love endures, Og, king of Bashan, for his loyal love endures, and gave their land as an inheritance, for his loyal love endures, as an inheritance to Israel his servant, for his loyal love endures, to the one who remembered us when we were down, for his loyal love endures, and snatched us away from our enemies, for his loyal love endures, to the one who gives food to all living things, for his loyal love endures. Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his loyal love endures! (NET) 2. 1 Chronicles 16:34, 41, Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good and his loyal love endures. Joining them were Heman, Jeduthun, and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the LORD. (For his loyal love endures!) (NET) 3. 2 Chronicles 5:13, The trumpeters and musicians played together, praising and giving thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they loudly praised the LORD, singing: Certainly he is good; certainly his loyal love endures! Then a cloud filled the LORD s temple. (NET) 4. 2 Chronicles 7:3, When all the Israelites saw the fire come down and the LORD s splendor over the temple, they got on their knees with their faces downward toward the pavement. They worshiped

13 13 Commentary: and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, Certainly he is good; certainly his loyal love endures! (NET) 5. Ezra 3:11, With antiphonal response they sang, praising and glorifying the LORD: For he is good; his loyal love toward Israel is forever. All the people gave a loud shout as they praised the LORD when the temple of the LORD was established. (NET) 6. Jeremiah 33:11, Once again there will be sounds of joy and gladness and the glad celebrations of brides and grooms. Once again people will bring their thank offerings to the temple of the LORD and will say, Give thanks to the LORD who rules over all. For the LORD is good and his unfailing love lasts forever. For I, the LORD, affirm that I will restore the land to what it was in days of old. (NET) Isaiah 12:1, At that time you will say: I praise you, O Lord, for even though you were angry with me, your anger subsided, and you consoled me. I. God was to be praised because in their times of distress and grief the Lord comforted them. A. This subsiding of God s anger is quite opposite of the previous prevailing circumstances. 1. Isaiah 5:25, So the LORD is furious with his people; he lifts his hand and strikes them. The

14 14 mountains shake, and corpses lie like manure in the middle of the streets. Despite all this, his anger does not subside, and his hand is ready to strike again. (NET) 2. Isaiah 9:12. 17, 21, Syria from the east, and the Philistines from the west, they gobbled up Israelite territory. Despite all this, his anger does not subside, and his hand is ready to strike again. So the sovereign master was not pleased with their young men, he took no pity on their orphans and widows; for the whole nation was godless and did wicked things, every mouth was speaking disgraceful words. Despite all this, his anger does not subside, and his hand is ready to strike again. Manasseh fought against Ephraim, and Ephraim against Manasseh; together they fought against Judah. Despite all this, his anger does not subside, and his hand is ready to strike again. (NET) 3. Isaiah 10:4, You will have no place to go, except to kneel with the prisoners, or to fall among those who have been killed. Despite all this, his anger does not subside, and his hand is ready to strike again. (NET) 4. Romans 6:17, But thanks be to God that though you were slaves to sin, you obeyed from the heart that pattern of teaching you were entrusted to, (NET)

15 15 B. Attention here is on a needed transformation of the individuals and nations relationship with God. (Briley) 1. God saved them from the errors of their way and now they are thankful. a. Matthew 11:25, At that time Jesus said, I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and revealed them to little children. (NET) Isaiah 12:2, Look, God is my deliverer!* I will trust in him and not fear. For the Lord gives me strength and protects me; he has become my deliverer. I. *NET Footnote: Or-salvation (twice in this verse and again in verse 3). A. Hamilton well observed that trusting in God and, therefore, not fearing is a major teaching in the prophecy of Isaiah. 1. Isaiah 7:2, 4, 9, It was reported to the family of David, Syria has allied with Ephraim. They and their people were emotionally shaken, just as the trees of the forest shake before the wind. Tell him, Make sure you stay calm! Don t be afraid! Don t be intimidated by these two stubs of smoking logs, or by the raging anger of Rezin, Syria, and the son of Remaliah. Ephraim s leader is Samaria, and Samaria s leader is the son of Remaliah.

16 16 If your faith does not remain firm, then you will not remain secure. (NET) 2. Isaiah 8:12-13, Do not say, Conspiracy, every time these people say the word. Don t be afraid of what scares them; don t be terrified. You must recognize the authority of the LORD who commands armies. He is the one you must respect; he is the one you must fear. (NET) 3. Psalm 36:8-9, They are filled with food from your house, and you allow them to drink from the river of your delicacies. For you are the one who gives and sustains life. (NET) 4. Hosea 2:14, However, in the future I will allure her; I will lead her back into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her. (NET) B. God delivered his people. He provided comfort. 1. Exodus 15:2, The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise him, my father s God, and I will exalt him. (NET) 2. Isaiah 43:11, I, I am the LORD, and there is no deliverer besides me. (NET) 3. Isaiah 40:1, Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. (NET) 4. Isaiah 52:13-15, Look, my servant will succeed! He will be elevated, lifted high, and

17 17 greatly exalted (just as many were horrified by the sight of you) he was so disfigured he no longer looked like a man; his form was so marred he no longer looked human so now he will startle many nations. Kings will be shocked by his exaltation, for they will witness something unannounced to them, and they will understand something they had not heard about. (NET) 5. Isaiah 53:1-12, Who would have believed what we just heard? When was the LORD s power revealed through him? He sprouted up like a twig before God, like a root out of parched soil; he had no stately form or majesty that might catch our attention, no special appearance that we should want to follow him. He was despised and rejected by people, one who experienced pain and was acquainted with illness; people hid their faces from him; he was despised, and we considered him insignificant. But he lifted up our illnesses, he carried our pain; even though we thought he was being punished, attacked by God, and afflicted for something he had done. He was wounded because of our rebellious deeds, crushed because of our sins; he endured punishment that made us well; because of his wounds we have been healed. All of us had wandered off like sheep; each of us had strayed off on his own path, but the LORD caused the sin of all of us to attack him. He was treated harshly and afflicted, but he did not even open his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughtering block,

18 18 like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not even open his mouth. He was led away after an unjust trial but who even cared? Indeed, he was cut off from the land of the living; because of the rebellion of his own people he was wounded. They intended to bury him with criminals, but he ended up in a rich man s tomb, because he had committed no violent deeds, nor had he spoken deceitfully. Though the LORD desired to crush him and make him ill, once restitution is made, he will see descendants and enjoy long life, and the LORD s purpose will be accomplished through him. Having suffered, he will reflect on his work, he will be satisfied when he understands what he has done. My servant will acquit many, for he carried their sins. So I will assign him a portion with the multitudes, he will divide the spoils of victory with the powerful, because he willingly submitted to death and was numbered with the rebels, when he lifted up the sin of many and intervened on behalf of the rebels. (NET) C. Briley wrote that God does not merely provide salvation and strength; he is not simply the motivation for a song he is these things for those who trust him. The beautiful image of drawing water from the wells of salvation additionally reveals God as a source of life beyond that provided by physical water. D. In the AKJV the phrase is, for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song.

19 Exodus 15:2, The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise him, my father s God, and I will exalt him. (NET) Isaiah 12:3, Joyfully you will draw water from the springs of deliverance. I. Related references to God s deliverance and the joy that characterized his people include, among so many more, the following: (See Hailey.) A. Exodus 17:6, I will be standing before you there on the rock in Horeb, and you will strike the rock, and water will come out of it so that the people may drink. And Moses did so in plain view of the elders of Israel. (NET) B. Numbers 20:11, Then Moses raised his hand, and struck the rock twice with his staff. And water came out abundantly. So the community drank, and their beasts drank too. (NET) C. 1 Corinthians 10:4, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they were all drinking from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. (NET) D. John 4:10, 14, Jesus answered her, If you had known the gift of God and who it is who said to you, Give me some water to drink, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water. But whoever drinks some of the

20 20 water that I will give him will never be thirsty again, but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life. (NET) E. John 7:37-38, On the last day of the feast, the greatest day, Jesus stood up and shouted out, If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. Just as the scripture says, From within him will flow rivers of living water. (NET) Isaiah 12:4, At that time you will say: Praise the Lord! Ask him for help! Publicize his mighty acts among the nations! Make it known that he is unique! I. Harley wrote, God s people should declare his thanksgiving for Jehovah s goodness and loving-kindness in redeeming his saints from the hand of the adversary. A. Harley wrote, The redeemed should be constantly grateful to God, expressive of their appreciation by offering continuous thanksgiving to him. 1. Colossians 3:15, 17, Let the peace of Christ be in control in your heart (for you were in fact called as one body to this peace), and be thankful. And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (NET)

21 Thessalonians 5:18, in everything give thanks. For this is God s will for you in Christ Jesus. (NET) 3. Philippians 4:6, Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. (NET) 4. Psalm 50:15, Pray to me when you are in trouble! I will deliver you, and you will honor me! (NET) B. God s blessing demand to be made known among the nations by all who have shared in the deliverance. (See Briley.) 1. Proclaim the good news! By hearing and believing the Gospel, more can share in deliverance from sin and its effects. II. Publicize his mighty acts among the nations! Make it known that he is unique! A. God s people in every age and every place are to proclaim God s mighty acts to all the nations. 1. There is no one like Jehovah. He is unique! a. Psalm 111:9, He delivered his people; he ordained that his covenant be observed forever. His name is holy and awesome. (NET) Isaiah 12:5, Sing to the Lord, for he has done magnificent things, let this be known throughout the earth!

22 22 I. Related reference: A. Psalm 66:1-12, Shout out praise to God, all the earth! Sing praises about the majesty of his reputation! Give him the honor he deserves! Say to God: How awesome are your deeds! Because of your great power your enemies cower in fear before you. All the earth worships you and sings praises to you! They sing praises to your name! (Selah) Come and witness God s exploits! His acts on behalf of people are awesome! He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot. Let us rejoice in him there! He rules by his power forever; he watches the nations. Stubborn rebels should not exalt themselves. (Selah) Praise our God, you nations! Loudly proclaim his praise! He preserves our lives and does not allow our feet to slip. For you, O God, tested us; you purified us like refined silver. You led us into a trap; you caused us to suffer. You allowed men to ride over our heads; we passed through fire and water, but you brought us out into a wide open place. (NET) B. Psalm 105:1-6, Give thanks to the LORD! Call on his name! Make known his accomplishments among the nations! Sing to him! Make music to him! Tell about all his miraculous deeds! Boast about his holy name! Let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! Seek the LORD and the strength he gives! Seek his presence

23 23 continually! Recall the miraculous deeds he performed, his mighty acts and the judgments he decreed, O children of Abraham, God s servant, you descendants of Jacob, God s chosen ones! (NET) C. Psalm 42:10, My enemies taunts cut into me to the bone, as they say to me all day long, Where is your God? (NET) D. Revelation 5:9-10, They were singing a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were killed, and at the cost of your own blood you have purchased for God persons from every tribe, language, people, and nation. You have appointed them as a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth. (NET) E. Exodus 15:1, 21, Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD. They said, I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously, the horse and its rider he has thrown into the sea. Miriam sang in response to them, Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and its rider he has thrown into the sea. (NET) Isaiah 12:6, Cry Out and shout for joy, O citizens of Zion, for the Holy one of Israel acts mightily among you! I. We have now come to the spiritual Zion.

24 24 A. Hebrews 12:22, But you have come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the assembly (NET) B. Revelation 14:1-5, Then I looked, and here was the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him were one hundred and forty-four thousand, who had his name and his Father s name written on their foreheads. I also heard a sound coming out of heaven like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. Now the sound I heard was like that made by harpists playing their harps, and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one was able to learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been redeemed from the earth. These are the ones who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed from humanity as first fruits to God and to the Lamb, and no lie was found on their lips; they are blameless. (NET) C. Colossians 1:27-28, God wanted to make known to them the glorious riches of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim him by instructing and teaching all people with all wisdom so that we may present every person mature in Christ. (NET)

25 25 D. John 15:4-6, Remain in me, and I will remain in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown out like a branch, and dries up; and such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and are burned up. (NET) E. 1 Peter 1:8, You have not seen him, but you love him. You do not see him now but you believe in him, and so you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, (NET) II. God calls the world, Jews and Gentiles, to come to him through his Son, Christ Jesus. Conclusion: I. This hymn of praise as is typical alternates between exhortation to praise God and reasons for praise. (Briley) II. Coffman lists things they are to do in praise to God. A. Give thanks to Jehovah. B. Call upon his name. C. Declare his doings among the people. D. Make mention that his name is exalted. E. Sing unto Jehovah.

26 26 F. God has done excellent things; let this be known in all the earth. G. Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion; for great in the midst of you in the Holy One of Israel. III. The first great division of Isaiah s prophecy concludes with Isaiah 12:6. (Coffman) A. By this point Isaiah has brought us through the tribulation s caused by sin and pointed us to Christ, Immanuel, the Redeemer. IV. The second major division of Isaiah s prophecy includes Isaiah 13:23. (Coffman)

27 27 QUESTIONS ON Isaiah 12: What three great deliverances have God provided for his people? Provide support for your answer. 2. Which is the greatest of these great deliverances, the major one in view in Isaiah 12? 3. Harley further wrote, This is the of the : sin has been ; the has and now upon the in. 4. What connection is there between Isaiah 12 and the Jewish observance of the feast of the tabernacles?

28 What does the Bible say about praising and thanking God for his majesty and blessings? 6. In verse one, why was God to be praised? 7. Why did God s anger subside at this time (12:1) and not previously as in (5:25, 9:12, 17, 21 and 10:4) 8. is my! I will in him and not. For the and me and me; he has become my. 9. Exactly what does Isaiah say about trusting God and not living in fear?

29 Briley well wrote, does merely provide and ; he is simply the for a ; He is these things for those who him. The of - from the of additionally reveals as a of beyond that provided by. 11. In addition to what is said in Isaiah 12:3, what does the Bible say about God s deliverance and the rejoicing that results. 12. Into what sections can Isaiah 12 by divided? What is the subject of each section?

30 Hailey wrote, The should be to, expressive of their by to him. 14. is demand to be made known among the by who have in the. the! 15. List ways in which God is unique. 16. What does the Bible say about singing to the Lord? Why should we sing to the Lord? 17. What is the spiritual Zion to which we have come?

31 calls the, and, to come to him through his,. This should cause us to and for. 19. According to Coffman, list things we can do to praise God. 20. The first great division of Isaiah s prophecy cover chapters -. The second great division of Isaiah s prophecy covers chapters -.