Notes on Isaiah 12

(Isa 12:1 KJV) 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.

Here the author seems to take a break away from the usually prophecy and begins to praise the Lord and rejoice in the Lord for His salvation. I have heard many modern songs and choruses using these same words. If we could actually see with our eyes and hear with our ears what is prepared for those that love Him, we too would be rejoicing along with Isaiah. I believe in giving the Lord praise and worship due unto His name.

The rocks should not have to. There is nothing wrong with rejoicing, praising and worshipping God with our voices, music, instruments, and both at home and in church. Sure we can become quiet, be dignified and have everything done in an orderly program but we may be in danger of becoming boring if we do. I don't believe God is boring though so our church services should not be boring either. It's exciting to serve the Lord and worship Him. It should be a "want to" thing, not a "have to" thing. He is our strength, our song, our salvation and the one in whom we trust. He is our life. Look at the price Jesus paid for us to have eternal life and salvation. Is He not worthy of praise and from now and forever? Yet there are times for quiet worship. Some of them can be times of peace, comfort and quiet meditation of His goodness. Those are times when the Holy Spirit can speak to us and teach us His Word. Yes we also should be quiet before the Lord and listen for His voice to speak to us. This is not a boring, controlled quiet but a peaceful time of being in the presence of the Lord of listening for His direction and receiving His peace.

(Isa 12:3 KJV) Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

This reminds me of the living water Jesus talks about in John chapter 4 and 7. "John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water"

Notice that Jesus said, "as the scripture said." Jesus was referring to the Old Testament since the New Testament had not yet been written. If we search diligently we will discover a wealth of information about salvation in the Old Testament.

The Old Testament leads us to the Messiah and the New Testament reveals to us who the Messiah is.

(Isa 12:4 KJV) 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.

5 Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.5 Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.

The words "in that day" most probably are referring to the day when the Messiah rules over the earth. However, we don't have to wait until that day to praise Him if the kingdom of Christ now reigns in our hearts. We can have that living water and the salvation now and then also in that day. Sing unto the Lord. He is truly worthy of all our praise. This is everlasting, this is forever, this is eternity.

Isaiah 13, Notes

(Isa 13:1 KJV) The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.

Babylon is a country used of God to bring judgment on Israel. Israel comes under captivity to Babylon for a long period of time. Babylon is destroyed at the end of the years and the captives return to their land. Not all the prophecy concerning Babylon was fulfilled at that time and it is apparent from the study of bible prophecy that there remains a latter day fulfillment of prophecy that concerns Babylon. Whether this Babylon is the actual place where Iraq is now or whether it is a nation that represents Babylon in its power, strength and evil is not yet known but there is a latter day Babylon that will be judged by the Lord severely.

(Isa 13:2 KJV) Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.

3 I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highness.

Some have said that the sanctified ones were the Medes who came to destroy Babylon and that may have been the immediate fulfillment of these verses bringing that era of Babylon to a close. However in light of other prophesy concerning the latter days there is an army that gathers at Jerusalem headed by the anti-christ in which the saints that come back with Jesus will destroy with the brightness of the coming of Christ. This may be what is referred to as His sanctified ones. If the word sanctified here refers only to those chosen of God to do His will then it could refer to the Medes. If the word sanctified means consecration to the Lord, called for His service in the manner of cleansing then of course it would refer to those believers who have been sanctified by the blood of Jesus Christ and having the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

(Isa 13:4 KJV) The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the LORD of hosts mustereth the host of the battle.(Isa 13:4 KJV) The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the LORD of hosts mustereth the host of the battle.

We know there is a battle to take place in the last days around the time of Christ's Second Coming called the battle of Armageddon so this could very well refer to that battle as well as the immediate battle around Jerusalem at the destruction of literal Babylon.

(Isa 13:6 KJV) Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

The "Day of the Lord" almost always refers to judgment rather than a day of peace. This looks like the tribulation period that is to come about 7 years before the coming of Christ. It also can refer to the judgment that came in the days of Isaiah.

(Isa 13:7 KJV) Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:

8 And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.

This judgment and terror causes hearts of men to faint. Fear comes upon all and that pain is compared to a woman who is in labor before her baby is to be born.

(Isa 13:9 KJV) Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.

Many who teach that God does not bring judgment must take heed because He does bring judgment. Sure God loves us. That is why He sent His own Son to come to us presenting to us His plan of salvation. He allowed His Son to die for our sins in our place. A God that does all this to save one soul surely is a God that loves. How many though in these latter days have received this plan of salvation? I see God and the bible being ridiculed, mocked, scoffed at and the plan of salvation taken lightly. I see the name of God taken in cursing and swearing continually. I see the bible torn apart by those who choose to believe some things and reject others. I see the Word explained away by modern so-called bible scholars who reject the truth and try to put another meaning of scriptures than the actual meaning. I see people so busy who do not take the time to worship so great a God and make light of His plan of salvation. I see our emphasis on education, jobs, entertainment and very little on the Word of God. In light of what Jesus actually did to save us should we not give our all in return?

In verse nine we see the day of the Lord coming. Something causes God to be cruel, angry and sinners are destroyed.

We are a people who cannot possibly save ourselves by good deeds. We need to receive Jesus Christ and believe in the price He already paid for our sins. We then can choose to turn from our sins and our own ways and let the blood of Jesus wash them away. We receive Jesus into our lives and seek His ways instead of ours. That is the only way to escape the wrath that is to come upon all that reject God.

(Isa 13:10 KJV) For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.

Verse 10 we know is speaking about the future tribulation which is to come upon all the world.

(Isa 13:11 KJV) And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.

I will punish the world for their evil. We may ask, how will I know what evil it? Some think evil is polluting the environment. Some think evil is murder but not the murder of unborn children. Some think evil is racism and bigotry. If we want to know what evil it, we have to read the bible. It is the only true guideline that we can follow to know right from wrong.

First of all in order to understand the Word of God we need to know the one who spoke the Word to His servants who in turn wrote it for us to read. We need to know God ourselves. God was revealed to man through His Son Jesus Christ. Without Christ we cannot possibly know God. Jesus represents God in the fullness. When we receive Jesus, we receive His Holy Spirit that will abide within us. This Holy Spirit becomes our companion, our teacher, our helper, and constant comforter. He will bring conviction when we sin, correction when we make an error and restoration when we repent. We can then choose whether to yield to His prompting or ignore Him. I believe when we constantly ignore the Holy Spirit and choose to go back into sin our conscience becomes seared. He then begins to withdraw His presence. May are cry be like David's cry, "Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me." Psalms 51:11

(Isa 13:12 KJV) I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.

There will be such a scarcity of man that they will be as precious gold.

(Isa 13:13 KJV) Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger. (Isa 13:13 KJV) Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger. (Isa 13:13 KJV) Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove

There will be such a scarcity of man that they will be as precious gold.

Something causes God to be so angry that the heavens are shaken and the earth is removed out of her place. We can wonder what it would be. Perhaps the rejection of His Son and His plan to save us, perhaps the murder of those that risk their lives to bring the plan of salvation to the world, perhaps the murder of innocent children by their own mothers before they leave the womb. I'm only guessing here but by reading the word they can find out what it is that pleases God and displeases Him. We can know if we seek Him. He has promised to give wisdom to those who seek with faith.

(Isa 13:14 KJV) And it shall be as the chased roe, and as a sheep that no man taketh up: they shall every man turn to his own people, and flee every one into his own land.

(Isa 13:14 KJV) And it shall be as the chased roe, and as a sheep that no man taketh up: they shall every man turn to his own people, and flee every one into his own land.(Isa 13:14 KJV) And it shall be as the chased roe, and as a sheep that no man taketh up: they shall every man turn to his own people, and flee every one into his own land.

15 Every one that is found shall be thrust through; and every one that is joined unto them shall fall by the sword.

16 Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished.

We see what has happened to those that the wrath of God is poured out upon.

(Isa 13:17 KJV) Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver; and as for gold, they shall not delight in it.

18 Their bows also shall dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eye shall not spare children.

19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.

We see that now it is clearly talking of the judgment of Babylon. He shows the destruction coming from the Medes. This part has been fulfilled in part already. There is a future judgment upon Babylon whether it is a literal place or a nation that is similar to the old Babylon. Any nation, which does the same sins that Babylon did, may suffer the same judgment. The reason I know that this prophecy has not been filled entirely is because of verse 20.

(Isa 13:20 KJV) It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.

21 But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there 21 But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there 21 But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there

22 And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.

The location of the Babylon of the past is occupied. I believe it is somewhere in Iraq. In the future the destruction will be so great that an Arabian will not pitch a tent there.

This will be a place for the wild beasts and animals.

It is good to remember when we read about judgments that come from God to also remember that we do not have to be part of that judgment. We don't have to be lost. He made a way to escape through His Son Jesus Christ. It also should be a comfort to those who suffer persecution for the gospel's sake. God will not allow persecution of His people forever. They that persecute will come to their end. The reign of Christ will be one of love, joy and peace but before that day comes His has to deal with the sin problem. He will judge sin. He will rid His kingdom of all evil and righteousness shall prevail. Remember too, our job is to tell of the grace of Jesus Christ and God's plan of salvation. We are not to try to bring the judgment ourselves. We are not to seek vengeance ourselves. This belongs to God alone. We are to love our enemies and try to bring them the gospel. God is the judge.

Isaiah 14