Scripture: Isaiah 48:12-22

Aim: To reassure Israel that God is with them. To emphasize that God forgives and restores those who repent and seek Him.

Golden Text: “Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God, which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go” (Isaiah 48:17).

In the first verses of this chapter (vs. 1-8) Jehovah, through Isaiah, confronts all Israel (both Israel—the northern kingdom and Judah—the southern kingdom, vs. 1) concerning their false professions of humility and surrender to God and His will. He reveals that He knows the falseness of their relationship with Him.

He reminds them that He is showing mercy upon them for His name’s sake (vs. 9-11). He will defer his anger and not cut them off (vs. 9). He is going to refine them. He has chosen them out of the furnace of affliction (vs. 10). God refuses to give His honor to any other (vs. 11). He will bless them because He is God and He has called them to be His people.

I. All Israel is called upon to recognize and acknowledge Jehovah God (vs. 12-15). First, He declares who He is (vs. 12). He is the Beginning (Alpha) and the Ending (Omega) of all things. This is the same characterization that is given to Jesus Christ in the Book of Revelation (1:8, 11). All things issue from Him and all things are maintained by Him. He is the Almighty God.

Second, Jehovah God is the one who has laid the foundations of the earth and the heavens (vs. 13). This is a reminder of His power and ability. None can compare.

Third, He calls upon them to remember that He will destroy Babylon and the leaders, Chaldeans (vs. 14).

Fourth, He has called, brought and will prosper Israel with His blessings (vs. 15).

II. All Israel is called upon to trust and obey Jehovah (vs. 16-22). First, the Lord has spoken (Adonai—the King, Ruler, Prop, Stay of all who put their trust in Him, vs. 16).

Second, God has spoken (Jehovah—the Being One, the Ever-existing One, the Becoming One—He becomes whatever man needs!).

Third, The Holy Spirit has spoken (vs. 16). The Triune God asks that men draw near and hear what He has to say. Men who do as He commands will be blessed.

Jehovah God identifies Himself in order that He may be believed, trusted and obeyed (vs. 17). He is Jehovah (the Lord), the Redeemer for all mankind, the Holy One of Israel (and all men), and He is Jehovah, the God of Israel.

He calls Israel (and all who will) to come unto Him (vs. 16), to Hear Him (vs. 16), to learn His way in order to personally profit (vs. 17), and to allow God to lead in all things (vs. 17). This way individuals may have peace from God as well as His eternal righteousness (vs. 18).

Jehovah promises that Israel will not be destroyed from before Him (vs. 19). He further promises that deliverance from the enemy will result in singing and declaration of deliverance to all the earth. This is all because Jehovah God is the Redeemer; therefore, let the redeemed of the Lord say so (vs. 20)!

Jehovah gives to His people the waters of eternal salvation, and He bestows upon His people peace that the wicked cannot have, nor know (vs. 20-21).

Anyone who is not one of His people—unconverted, unsaved—may be converted and saved by turning to the Redeemer in repentance and trust. May God make it so in order that men may have His peace for their very own.