12 Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.
12 "Listen to me, Jacob, Israel, whom I have called: I am he; I am the first and I am the last.
12 "Listen to me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I called! I am he; I am the first, and I am the last.
12 "Listen, Jacob. Listen, Israel - I'm the One who named you! I'm the One. I got things started and, yes, I'll wrap them up.
12 "Listen to Me, O Jacob, And Israel, My called: I am He, I am the First, I am also the Last.
12 "Listen to me, OÂ family of Jacob, Israel my chosen one! I alone am God, the First and the Last.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 48:12
Commentary on Isaiah 48:9-15
(Read Isaiah 48:9-15)
We have nothing ourselves to plead with God, why he should have mercy upon us. It is for his praise, to the honour of his mercy, to spare. His bringing men into trouble was to do them good. It was to refine them, but not as silver; not so thoroughly as men refine silver. If God should take that course, they are all dross, and, as such, might justly be put away. He takes them as refined in part only. Many have been brought home to God as chosen vessels, and a good work of grace begun in them, in the furnace of affliction. It is comfort to God's people, that God will secure his own honour, therefore work deliverance for them. And if God delivers his people, he cannot be at a loss for instruments to be employed. God has formed a plan, in which, for his own sake, and the glory of his grace, he saves all that come to Him.