God affirms His eternal presence to Israel by reminding them of His authority and His constant involvement in their history.
In “Listen to Me, O Jacob, even Israel whom I called; I am He, I am the first, I am also the last” (v.12), the prophet Isaiah presents God calling upon Jacob, who was the son of Isaac and the grandson of Abraham. Jacob lived roughly between 2006-1859 BC, according to traditional dating. Through Jacob’s descendants, the nation of Israel emerged, and this verse underscores God’s personal relationship with the people who bear Jacob’s new name, Israel. The words “Listen to Me, O Jacob” and “even Israel whom I called” highlight that God is speaking with authority and clarity to the chosen people, reminding them that He has guided them from the earliest stages to their present moment.
The declaration “I am He, I am the first, I am also the last” (v.12) emphasizes God’s eternal nature and uniqueness. By describing Himself as both the first and the last, God conveys that He existed before creation and will remain unmatched beyond all time. This absolute sovereignty links directly to the New Testament references to Jesus, where He is likewise described as the first and the last (Revelation 22:13). It paints a picture of divine constancy and faithfulness, offering the assurance that there is no moment in Israel’s story—or in all of history—when God is not present and actively ruling.
Overall, this verse calls believers to trust in God’s unchanging nature. Just as He led Jacob, whose name became Israel, so He continues to guide His children throughout the centuries. The relevance extends beyond the ancient kingdom to anyone who acknowledges God’s sovereignty in their personal journey, demonstrating that the One who holds the beginning and the end stands watchful over every life.
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Isaiah 48:12 meaning
In “Listen to Me, O Jacob, even Israel whom I called; I am He, I am the first, I am also the last” (v.12), the prophet Isaiah presents God calling upon Jacob, who was the son of Isaac and the grandson of Abraham. Jacob lived roughly between 2006-1859 BC, according to traditional dating. Through Jacob’s descendants, the nation of Israel emerged, and this verse underscores God’s personal relationship with the people who bear Jacob’s new name, Israel. The words “Listen to Me, O Jacob” and “even Israel whom I called” highlight that God is speaking with authority and clarity to the chosen people, reminding them that He has guided them from the earliest stages to their present moment.
The declaration “I am He, I am the first, I am also the last” (v.12) emphasizes God’s eternal nature and uniqueness. By describing Himself as both the first and the last, God conveys that He existed before creation and will remain unmatched beyond all time. This absolute sovereignty links directly to the New Testament references to Jesus, where He is likewise described as the first and the last (Revelation 22:13). It paints a picture of divine constancy and faithfulness, offering the assurance that there is no moment in Israel’s story—or in all of history—when God is not present and actively ruling.
Overall, this verse calls believers to trust in God’s unchanging nature. Just as He led Jacob, whose name became Israel, so He continues to guide His children throughout the centuries. The relevance extends beyond the ancient kingdom to anyone who acknowledges God’s sovereignty in their personal journey, demonstrating that the One who holds the beginning and the end stands watchful over every life.