Isaiah 48:12

12 "Listen to me, Ya'akov; Isra'el, whom I have called: I am he who is first; I am also the last.

Isaiah 48:12 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 48:12

Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called
Called before out of Egypt, and now out of Babylon, and who had the name of God called upon them, and who called upon the name of the Lord; so such who are called with a holy calling, according to the purpose and grace of God, by the Spirit and grace of Christ, unto fellowship with him, to partake of his grace here, and glory hereafter, are styled "the called of Jesus Christ", ( Romans 1:6 ) and who seems to be the person here speaking, as appears from the following clause: and it may be observed, that Jacob and Israel are described here in a different manner from what they are in the beginning of the chapter, since the Lord had declared his designs of grace towards them, and that he had chosen them, and would save them for his name's sake: which they had reason to believe he could and would do, from the account which he gives of himself: and they are called upon to hearken to him, as follows, I am he, I am the first, and I also am the last;
the everlasting I AM, the immutable Jehovah, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, the first cause and last end of all things; phrases expressive of the self-existence, supremacy, eternity, and immutability of Christ, ( Revelation 1:8 Revelation 1:17 ) , and what is it that such a sovereign, eternal and unchangeable Being cannot do?

Isaiah 48:12 In-Context

10 "Look, I have refined you, but not [as severely] as silver; [rather] I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
11 For my sake I will do it, for my own sake. I will not let [my reputation] be tarnished; I will not yield my glory to anyone else.
12 "Listen to me, Ya'akov; Isra'el, whom I have called: I am he who is first; I am also the last.
13 My hand laid the foundation of the earth, my right hand spread out the heavens; when I summoned them, at once they rose into being.
14 "All of you, assemble and listen: which of you has foretold what is coming? ADONAI's friend will do his will against Bavel, using his arm against the Kasdim.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.