Isaías 12

Isaías 12

Maclaren - If there is a man or a woman that thinks of salvation as if it were merely a shutting up of some material hell, or the dodging round a corner, so as to escape some external consequence of transgression, let him or her learn this: the possession of God is salvation; that and nothing else! (The Biblical illustrator; or, Anecdotes, simile… ) Arnold Fruchtenbaum comments that "God is their (referring to Jews) salvation because they have trusted in Immanuel, the Messianic Person of Isaiah 11:1–5. Because they accept Yeshua as the Messianic Person, they therefore have received their salvation from Jehovah. (Fruchtenbaum, A. G. The Messianic Bible Study Collection 59:12. Tustin, Calif.: Ariel Ministries) Recall that Isaiah’s name means “Jehovah is salvation” and salvation (along with praise and singing and joy) is a key theme in this song in Isaiah 12:1-6. And it thus fitting that the focus of the song is on the saving God. As Jonah rightly reminds us "Salvation is from Jehovah." (Jonah 2:9) It is worth noting that the homiletical/exegetical Jewish writing, the Midrash Rabba, Exodus XXIII, 6, has the following "commentary" note on Isaiah 12:2… ‘I will sing of Thy strength,’ refers to the Messianic era, for it says, Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid (Isa. XII, 2). My salvation (NAB version translates as "My Savior") - This is the first use of the Hebrew word for salvation (yeshuah - see below) in the book of Isaiah. The specific phrase "My salvation" occurs 32x in 31v in the NAS and virtually all refer to God. You might want to take a moment to meditate on these wonderful uplifting passages, many of which are the expression of David, a man after God's own heart. - Ex 15:2; 2Sa 22:3, 47; 23:5; Job 13:16 (cp Job 13:15); Ps 18:2, 46; 25:5; 27:1, 9; 38:22; 51:14; 62:1, 2, 6f; 88:1; 89:26; 91:16; 118:14, 21; 140:7; Isa 12:2; 46:13; 49:6; 51:5, 6, 8; 56:1; Mic 7:7; Hab 3:18 (A Psalm of David.) The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? (Psalm 27:1) Clendenen writes that… The salvation for which people here thank God is most naturally related to the salvation promised in Isaiah 11:1-16. As Israel experienced God’s salvation in the past and thanked him for his deliverance at the time of the exodus (Ex 14:13, 14,29, 30, 31; 15:1-18), so future generations will praise God when they experience his salvation… While the first part of the hymn looks back at a time when God was angry with the sinful people (Isaiah 12:1), the second half (Isaiah 12:4, 5) points forward in anticipation of Isaiah 13:1ff-23:1ff to proclaim what God will do among the nations. A dramatic theological change triggers this shift in perspective. Between the two extremes stands the person who trusts God and experiences his salvation. (Isaiah 12:1-6). (New American Commentary: Isaiah 1-39. B & H Publishing Group) I will trust and not be afraid - Note that this is a volitional choice this one makes. It reflects a decision of one's will. Beloved, have you ever made this statement or are you still trusting self and fearing the unknown? If you have never made this statement Spurgeon exhorts you… Hearken, O unbeliever, you have said, ‘I cannot believe,’ but it would be more honest if you had said, ‘I will not believe.’ The mischief lies there. Your unbelief is your fault, not your misfortune. It is a disease, but it is also a crime: it is a terrible source of misery to you, but it is justly so, for it is an atrocious offense against the God of truth. The talk about trying to believe is a mere pretence. But whether pretence or no, let me remind you that there is no text in the Bible which says, ‘Try and believe,’ but it says ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.’ (Acts 16:31) He is the Son of God, He has proved it by His miracles, He died to save sinners, therefore trust Him; He deserves implicit trust and child-like confidence. Will you refuse Him these? Then you have maligned His character and given Him the lie. This verse also teaches that faith is the antidote of fear. And remember that God moves in the sphere of faith, while your adversary the Devil traffics in the realm of fear! See Fear, How to Handle It.