“Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”

Imagine with me this image of the prophet of God, known throughout both the southern kingdom and the northern, standing in the courts of Jerusalem, with hands raised high, a smile on his face, with feet near ready to jump up and down with joy as he proclaims praise to God who has revealed the future of His people! Immediately following his commission as a prophet of God, Isaiah was called to give a message of judgment to both the southern kingdom and the northern (Isaiah 7—11). Interspersed throughout each of these somber judgments, however, are glimpses of something new that will happen.

We begin to see that God will redefine the future of His people. “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel,” (7:14). “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given… his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end…” (9:6-7). “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit… In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious,” (11:1, 10). Suddenly, the pieces of this prophetic puzzle were all in place, set before the mind of the prophet, and by the time one comes to Isaiah 12, we see he can hardly contain his joy!

All six verses of this chapter overflow with an exaltation of joy and thanksgiving for what God has already done, but not yet done (indeed, the mystery of prophecy)! Our verses reveal that Isaiah came to recognize the promise of Messiah as something “glorious” to be accomplished. It was something to be heralded throughout all the earth. Once, within the presence of the Holy One of Israel, it is time to shout and sing for joy throughout the neighborhood (12:5-6)!

In this world, however, we know it is not easy to be joyful. Nations rage with hatred and in so many ways cast fear and worry upon the people throughout their lands. Our hearts are not immune to the physical pain of sickness and death or the emotional pain wrought from misunderstandings, lies, and deceit. But for a moment in time that caught both the prophet’s attention centuries ago, and can catch ours today—we see the God who has kept His promises! “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life,” (John 3:16).

Do not allow the fog of worry or the concerns of this world to dim your view of Christ in all His glory. Recognize instead His very clear intent in coming to forgive you and reconcile you to His Father in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:18). Indeed, that is certainly something to shout and sing about throughout this Advent Season.

Merry Christmas!

By Bill Niblette, Ph.D., Bible League International staff, Pennsylvania U.S.