Isa 44:7-8 | KingComments | STEP | In the LORD speaks for the third time that He is the “Redeemer” of Israel ( ). Then He presents Himself in yet other ways, which at the same time mean new reproaches for their foolish idolatry. He says of Himself: “I am the first and I am the last.” He does this three times in Isaiah ( ). The Lord Jesus also calls Himself with this name three times ( ), with which He shows His Godhead and also the unity in the Godhead, the eternal pre-existence and the absolute exaltation. It indicates that everything that is created, animate and inanimate, owes its existence to Him, and that the beginning, the course and the end are under His exalted control. Therefore, Israel may be sure that all Divine promises and predictions will be fulfilled, for they are made by Him Who is their “King … the LORD of hosts”. In our circumstances, He Who redeemed us is also the First and the Last, for He is God the Son ( ). He stands at the beginning and at the end, for He is the Creator ( ). He is also “the Alpha and the Omega” ( ), the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, for He is the Word of God ( ). He is at the beginning of our new life in Christ, He will be with us and will fulfill all His counsels toward us. Thus He is also the beginning, the course and the completion of our special service which He has entrusted to us. In the LORD repeats what He said before ( ). There is only one God, the First and the Last, the one true God of the past, Who is able to determine the future and thus also to proclaim it. Again, He challenges whether there is anyone who can proclaim or explain things as He does, and does so in regular order. He Himself has done so since He “established the ancient nation”. He raised up prophets among them who have proclaimed “the things that are coming and the events that are going to take place”. Let the gods and prophets of the nations explain such things. No god of the nations can answer this challenge. That is why Israel can be free of fear and can trust in God, next to Whom there is no other. In spite of all the attacks of satan, they are witnesses of Who He is and of the immutable nature of His counsel. Why should they be frightened and fearful when He is their Rock ( ; )? The rock represents immobility, strength and protection. Let us, whom He left here as His witnesses, find our support in this. Things around us are in motion and uncertain. Everything changes, governments change, but He remains the same ( ).

‏ Isaiah 44:7-8

There Is No Other God

In Isa 44:6 the LORD speaks for the third time that He is the “Redeemer” of Israel (Isa 41:14 ; Isa 43:14). Then He presents Himself in yet other ways, which at the same time mean new reproaches for their foolish idolatry. He says of Himself: “I am the first and I am the last.” He does this three times in Isaiah (Isa 41:4 ; Isa 44:6 ; Isa 48:12). The Lord Jesus also calls Himself with this name three times (Rev 1:17 ; Rev 2:8 ; Rev 22:13), with which He shows His Godhead and also the unity in the Godhead, the eternal pre-existence and the absolute exaltation.

It indicates that everything that is created, animate and inanimate, owes its existence to Him, and that the beginning, the course and the end are under His exalted control. Therefore, Israel may be sure that all Divine promises and predictions will be fulfilled, for they are made by Him Who is their “King … the LORD of hosts”.

In our circumstances, He Who redeemed us is also the First and the Last, for He is God the Son (Jn 1:1). He stands at the beginning and at the end, for He is the Creator (Col 1:16). He is also “the Alpha and the Omega” (Rev 22:13), the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, for He is the Word of God (Jn 1:1). He is at the beginning of our new life in Christ, He will be with us and will fulfill all His counsels toward us. Thus He is also the beginning, the course and the completion of our special service which He has entrusted to us.

In Isa 44:7-8 the LORD repeats what He said before (Isa 41:22-23 ; Isa 43:9-10). There is only one God, the First and the Last, the one true God of the past, Who is able to determine the future and thus also to proclaim it. Again, He challenges whether there is anyone who can proclaim or explain things as He does, and does so in regular order. He Himself has done so since He “established the ancient nation”. He raised up prophets among them who have proclaimed “the things that are coming and the events that are going to take place”. Let the gods and prophets of the nations explain such things.

No god of the nations can answer this challenge. That is why Israel can be free of fear and can trust in God, next to Whom there is no other. In spite of all the attacks of satan, they are witnesses of Who He is and of the immutable nature of His counsel. Why should they be frightened and fearful when He is their Rock (Deu 32:4 ; 15 ; 18 ; 30 ; 31; 1Cor 10:4)? The rock represents immobility, strength and protection.

Let us, whom He left here as His witnesses, find our support in this. Things around us are in motion and uncertain. Everything changes, governments change, but He remains the same (Heb 1:12 ; Heb 13:8).