Isa 44:1-5 | KingComments | STEP | The infinite grace of God is beautifully demonstrated in the opening verses of this chapter. The reproaches and accusations of Isaiah 43 are directly followed by assurance and promise, based on God’s purposed counsels and acts of creation concerning the people. It is evidence that in wrath He remembers mercy ( ). The chapter begins with a Divine “but” ( ), after He announced in the last verse of the previous chapter the judgment on the persistent sinfulness of the people ( ). This corresponds remarkably with the “but” of the beginning of Isaiah 43 ( ) which follows in the same sense the last verse of the chapter preceding it ( ). Here the LORD repeats His gracious statements from the beginning of Isaiah 43, to which He adds that He has “chosen” Israel. In both parts He uses for the birth of His people words which also appear in the account of the creation of man: creating ( ), making ( ) and forming ( ). It makes His purpose and promise to Jacob unchangeable, despite the great decay of His people. He even calls them “Jeshurun” ( ), a Hebrew word that means “sincere” and in the Septuagint – the Greek translation of the Old Testament – is translated as “beloved”. It is a name previously used by Moses ( ) and looks forward to the future state of righteousness of Israel. However, this name is in great contrast to the name “Jacob” which means “heels holder” ( ). The LORD makes them the “sincere ones” and therefore He can save them. The promises that follow are permeated with Divine delight. The thirsty become satiated, the seed of Jacob is blessed by the outpouring of the Spirit – in the picture of the outpouring of water (cf. ) – resulting in national and spiritual fertility ( ). That time is near. Grace will triumph. It is also a comfort for us now. Let us walk as God’s ‘Jeshurun’ and be filled with the Spirit. Then we will bring forth fruit. predicts the consequence for the nations of the restoration of Israel. The triple testimony should be read in the light of Psalm 87 ( ). There are mentioned some nations who will share in the privilege of knowing the LORD and who will be written down as born in Zion. 1. Among the nations who are in the blessing of the realm of peace, one shall say that he belongs to the LORD. 2. Another will pronounce the name of Jacob in a manner that shows great reverence. It is then no longer the name of defamation, of the deceiver, but the name of a people to whom the LORD has connected Himself as His chosen people. 3. Yet another shall declare in writing, “write [on] his hand”, that he belongs only to the LORD, and shall take the name ‘Israel’ as his honorary name. By adopting the name of Israel he indicates that carrying that name is a great honor (cf. ). 4. There is a remarkable parallel between this verse and the result of the gospel we preach. Just as in the future day a heathen will acknowledge that he belongs to the LORD, someone who repents today will learn to acknowledge that he belongs to the Lord ( ; ) and so he also mentions the Name of the Lord ( ).

‏ Isaiah 44:1-5

The Spirit Poured Out

The infinite grace of God is beautifully demonstrated in the opening verses of this chapter. The reproaches and accusations of Isaiah 43 are directly followed by assurance and promise, based on God’s purposed counsels and acts of creation concerning the people. It is evidence that in wrath He remembers mercy (Hab 3:2).

The chapter begins with a Divine “but” (Isa 44:1), after He announced in the last verse of the previous chapter the judgment on the persistent sinfulness of the people (Isa 43:28). This corresponds remarkably with the “but” of the beginning of Isaiah 43 (Isa 43:1) which follows in the same sense the last verse of the chapter preceding it (Isa 42:25).

Here the LORD repeats His gracious statements from the beginning of Isaiah 43, to which He adds that He has “chosen” Israel. In both parts He uses for the birth of His people words which also appear in the account of the creation of man: creating (Gen 1:27), making (Gen 1:16) and forming (Gen 2:7). It makes His purpose and promise to Jacob unchangeable, despite the great decay of His people.

He even calls them “Jeshurun” (Isa 44:2), a Hebrew word that means “sincere” and in the Septuagint – the Greek translation of the Old Testament – is translated as “beloved”. It is a name previously used by Moses (Deu 32:15 ; Deu 33:5 ; 26) and looks forward to the future state of righteousness of Israel. However, this name is in great contrast to the name “Jacob” which means “heels holder” (Gen 27:36 ; Gen 32:28). The LORD makes them the “sincere ones” and therefore He can save them.

The promises that follow are permeated with Divine delight. The thirsty become satiated, the seed of Jacob is blessed by the outpouring of the Spirit – in the picture of the outpouring of water (cf. Jn 7:38-39) – resulting in national and spiritual fertility (Isa 44:3-4). That time is near. Grace will triumph. It is also a comfort for us now. Let us walk as God’s ‘Jeshurun’ and be filled with the Spirit. Then we will bring forth fruit.

Isa 44:5 predicts the consequence for the nations of the restoration of Israel. The triple testimony should be read in the light of Psalm 87 (Psa 87:4-5). There are mentioned some nations who will share in the privilege of knowing the LORD and who will be written down as born in Zion.

1. Among the nations who are in the blessing of the realm of peace, one shall say that he belongs to the LORD.

2. Another will pronounce the name of Jacob in a manner that shows great reverence. It is then no longer the name of defamation, of the deceiver, but the name of a people to whom the LORD has connected Himself as His chosen people.

3. Yet another shall declare in writing, “write [on] his hand”, that he belongs only to the LORD, and shall take the name ‘Israel’ as his honorary name. By adopting the name of Israel he indicates that carrying that name is a great honor (cf. Rom 11:12).

4. There is a remarkable parallel between this verse and the result of the gospel we preach. Just as in the future day a heathen will acknowledge that he belongs to the LORD, someone who repents today will learn to acknowledge that he belongs to the Lord (1Cor 3:23; Gal 3:29) and so he also mentions the Name of the Lord (2Tim 2:19).