Isaiah 52:12

For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel [will be] your rereward.

For ye shall not go out {H3318} with haste {H2649}, nor go {H3212} by flight {H4499}: for the LORD {H3068} will go {H1980} before {H6440} you; and the God {H430} of Israel {H3478} will be your rereward {H622}.

You need not leave in haste, you do not have to flee; for ADONAI will go ahead of you, and the God of Isra'el will also be behind you.

For you will not leave in a hurry nor flee in haste, for the LORD goes before you, and the God of Israel is your rear guard.

For ye shall not go out in haste, neither shall ye go by flight: for Jehovah will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rearward.

Isaiah 52:12 offers a profound message of divine protection and serene deliverance for God's people, contrasting sharply with past experiences of hasty escape. This verse is part of a larger prophecy concerning the restoration of Zion and the glorious return from exile, emphasizing God's complete oversight of their journey.

Context

This verse is set within Isaiah's prophecies concerning the end of the Babylonian exile and the triumphant return of Israel to Jerusalem. Unlike the hurried and fearful departure from Egypt, often referred to as the Exodus, where the Israelites left "in haste," this future deliverance is envisioned as a calm, confident procession. It speaks not only of a physical return but also hints at a spiritual restoration and a new covenant relationship with God. This passage anticipates a "new exodus," where God Himself leads and protects His people.

Key Themes

  • Divine Presence and Protection: The core message is God's active and comprehensive presence. He is both the leader ("the LORD will go before you") and the protector from behind ("your rereward"), ensuring safety from all threats.
  • Peaceful Deliverance: The command "ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight" highlights a deliverance characterized by peace, security, and confidence, rather than panic or fear. This signifies absolute trust in God's sovereign power.
  • God's Faithfulness: The verse underscores God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, fulfilling His promises of restoration and demonstrating His reliable care.

Linguistic Insights

The term "rereward" (KJV) translates the Hebrew word 'asaph (אָסַף), which literally means "to gather" or "bring up the rear." In a military context, the rereward or rear guard is the protective force that follows the main body, defending against pursuit or unexpected attacks from behind. This emphasizes God's comprehensive protection, guarding His people from every direction and ensuring their safety throughout their journey.

Related Scriptures

The promise that the LORD will go before you echoes similar assurances given to Israel in other contexts, such as when Moses was told, "the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee" (Deuteronomy 31:8). The concept of God's continuous watch over His people, both coming and going, is also powerfully captured in Psalm 121:8: "The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore." This verse from Isaiah foreshadows a greater deliverance than the historical Exodus, pointing to a spiritual reality where God's presence guarantees ultimate security.

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 52:12 offers immense comfort and assurance. It reminds us that in life's challenges, transitions, or periods of uncertainty, we do not need to panic, rush in fear, or rely on our own anxious efforts. God promises His guiding presence ("going before us") and His safeguarding power ("our rereward"). This enables us to face the future with peace and confidence, knowing we are fully protected by His divine care. It encourages a posture of trust in God's timing and His perfect plan, rather than succumbing to the haste and flight that often accompany human fear.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 58:8

    ¶ Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.

  • Deuteronomy 20:4

    For the LORD your God [is] he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

  • Exodus 14:19

    And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:

  • Exodus 14:20

    And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness [to them], but it gave light by night [to these]: so that the one came not near the other all the night.

  • Exodus 13:21

    And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:

  • Exodus 13:22

    He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, [from] before the people.

  • Isaiah 45:2

    I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

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