Isa 48:12-22 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Isa 48:12-22: 48:12-22 This final trial speech reviews the arguments of chs 40

Summary for Isa 48:12-22: 48:12-22 ^a This final trial speech reviews the arguments of chs 40–48 ^b and announces the final conclusion.
48:14 ^c chosen Cyrus (literally him) as his ally: See 44:28 ^d; 45:1-2 ^e.
48:15 ^f I will send him and will help him succeed: Cyrus would humiliate Babylon and liberate Israel (45:1-4 ^g).
48:16 ^h I have told you plainly: God’s promises are clear, though not always specific as to manner and time.

• now the Sovereign Lord and his Spirit have sent me with this message: The identity of the one who is sent is unclear. Isaiah might be referring to himself as a Spirit-inspired prophet who spoke the very words of God to Israel. The connection with the Spirit suggests that it refers to the promised servant, the Messiah.

• The presence of the Spirit assures the servant’s success.
48:18 ⁱ Peace and righteousness will be established when the Kingdom of God comes in its fullness (see 66:12 ^j).

• like a gentle river ... like waves: An abundance of comforting peace and overflowing resources of righteousness (cp. Amos 5:24 ^k) could have been Israel’s if its people had only listened to God.
48:19 ^l Your descendants ... like the sands: This would fulfill God’s covenant to Abraham (Gen 22:17 ^m); by contrast, the Israelites were nearly wiped out in the Exile (see Isa 44:26 ⁿ).
48:20 ^o Leave Babylon: See also 52:11-12 ^p; 55:12 ^q.
48:21 ^r not thirsty ... rock ... water gushed: These reminders of God’s provision in the Exodus provide a fitting summary of what he would do to rescue Israel from captivity in Babylon (see Num 20:11 ^s).
48:22 ^t This refrain, no peace for the wicked (also 57:21 ^u), continues the sharp divide between the godly and the wicked (see 66:24 ^v). Peace speaks of God’s kingdom, from which the wicked are excluded.