Isaiah 48:12

Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.

Isaiah 48:12 (KJV)

Context

The book of Isaiah is a prophetic book in the Old Testament, containing prophecies, visions, and messages from the prophet Isaiah. This verse is part of a larger section in which God speaks to the people of Israel, reminding them of His faithfulness, power, and sovereignty. The surrounding verses address the people’s rebellion and their failure to listen to God’s instructions. God confronts their stubbornness while reaffirming His own character, calling them back to attentive trust.

Meaning

“Hearken unto me” calls the people to listen attentively and obey. In this context, God is summoning Jacob and Israel, His chosen ones, to pay close attention to His words and follow His commands. This is not a casual hearing but an active receptivity that responds in obedience.

“O Jacob and Israel, my called” refers to the descendants of the patriarch Jacob, who was later named Israel. Throughout the Bible, Jacob’s descendants are often called Israel. This phrase emphasizes God’s special relationship with His chosen people, whom He has called and set apart for Himself. The double name recalls both the patriarch’s original name and the new name God gave him, grounding the call in His historical dealings with them.

“I am he; I am the first, I also am the last” asserts God’s unique identity and eternal nature. By proclaiming “I am he,” God declares Himself the one true God, the Creator and sustainer of all things. He is the source of existence and the ultimate authority. The declaration that He is the first and the last means He exists before all things and will exist after all things, conveying His infinite wisdom, power, and sovereignty over all creation.

Biblical connections

Isaiah 48:13 immediately follows, connecting God’s eternal identity to His creative power: His hand founded the earth and His right hand spread out the heavens. His eternal nature is inseparable from His sovereign authority over creation. The same God who calls His people is the One who laid the foundations of the world.

Application

Isaiah 48:12 reminds the people of Israel, and us today, to listen attentively to God’s words and acknowledge His sovereignty. It encourages us to recognize His unique attributes, including His eternal nature and authority over all things. By heeding God’s call and recognizing His preeminence, we can align ourselves with His will and experience the blessings and guidance that come from a relationship with Him. Because He is the first and the last, our trust rests on a foundation that cannot be shaken.