Isaiah 43
Encouragement to God's People.This chapter connects directly to the end of the last one, where God spoke about Israel’s stubbornness and disobedience. Even though the people had turned away and deserved punishment, God’s next words are full of hope: But now, fear not, O Jacob... I have redeemed thee. God’s mercy shines brightest when we least expect it. His grace is greater than our sin (Romans 5:20; James 2:13 a). These words are meant to comfort not just Israel in captivity but all who trust in God. God’s love and care continue, no matter how unworthy we feel.v. 1: God reminds Israel that he created and formed them. Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine (Isaiah 43:1). God made them his people, rescued them from trouble, and chose them for himself. They belong to him, and he will not abandon the work of his hands (Ephesians 2:10 b). v. 2: God promises his presence in every difficulty. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee (Isaiah 43:2). Whether they face deep waters or fire, God will protect them. They will not be overwhelmed or destroyed. This was true when Israel crossed the Red Sea, and when the three friends faced the fiery furnace (Daniel 3; Psalm 66:12 c). v. 3–4: God is their Savior. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour (Isaiah 43:3). He reminds them of how he gave Egypt, Ethiopia, and Seba as a ransom for Israel, showing how dear they are to him. God’s people are precious and honored in his sight. He loves them above all others (Exodus 19:5 d). – v. 5–7: God promises to gather his people from every nation. Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west (Isaiah 43:5). No matter how far they are scattered, God will bring them back. This applies not only to Israel’s return from Babylon but also points to God gathering believers from all nations through the gospel (Deuteronomy 30:4; Nehemiah 1:9 e). Those who are called by God’s name and created for his glory will be gathered and protected by him. – – A Challenge to Idolaters.In this section, God directly challenges those who worship idols. He asks them to prove that their gods are real by showing evidence of true power, like the deliverance of Israel from Babylon. God wants everyone to see that only he is the true and living God. The people of Israel are called as witnesses to what God has done, while idol worshippers are asked to defend their beliefs if they can.v. 8–9: God calls the idol worshippers and their nations to gather and present their case. He refers to them as a blind people that have eyes, and deaf people that have ears (Isaiah 43:8), because they refuse to see or hear the truth. God invites them to work together and try to prove their idols are real, but he knows they cannot give any true evidence (Psalm 115:8 f). – v. 10: God summons his people, Israel, to be his witnesses. You are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen (Isaiah 43:10). God’s people have seen his works and can tell others what he has done. Christ himself is also a witness, for he perfectly reveals God to the world (Isaiah 42:1 g). v. 11: God declares that he alone is the Savior. I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour (Isaiah 43:11). No idol or false god can rescue people. Only the Lord brings real salvation (1 Timothy 4:10 h). v. 12: God reminds his people how he has spoken and acted in their history. I have declared, and have saved, and I have showed (Isaiah 43:12). The Lord predicted future events, and then made them happen. No other god could do this. Israel is called to testify that the Lord alone is God. v. 13: God says, before the day was, I am he (Isaiah 43:13). He existed before time began and will always exist. No one can rescue from God’s hand or stop what he plans. He has both infinite knowledge and unstoppable power, and nothing can stand in his way.Summary: God gives a fair challenge to idol worshippers: if their gods are real, let them prove it. But only the Lord can foretell the future and save his people. If the idols cannot defend themselves, their followers should accept the truth and worship the one true God. Promises to God's People.At this time, the faith and hope of God’s people in Babylon were very low. They needed repeated encouragement to believe that God would truly set them free. So, God gives them strong and comforting promises, reminding them again and again that he will deliver them. These promises are meant to give them confidence and hope, even when things look impossible.v. 14–15: God introduces himself with special titles to encourage his people. He is the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 43:14). He is also their Creator and King. This means God not only has the power to save them, but he has made it his purpose and business to do so. He will keep every promise he has made to them. – v. 16–17: God reminds them of the great things he did in the past, especially when he brought their ancestors out of Egypt. Thus saith the Lord, which maketh a way in the sea (Isaiah 43:16). He made a path through the Red Sea and destroyed Pharaoh’s army. If God did this before, he can do it again and make a way for his people to return from Babylon. Remembering God’s past miracles helps us trust him for new ones. – v. 18–19: God promises to do even greater things than before. Remember ye not the former things… Behold, I will do a new thing (Isaiah 43:18–19). The new deliverance will be so amazing that it will outshine the old stories. God will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, providing for his people in unexpected ways. This is a promise of hope and new beginnings (Jeremiah 16:14–15 i). – v. 20: God will provide not only for his people but also for the land and animals. The beasts of the field shall honour me… because I give waters in the wilderness (Isaiah 43:20). Even wild animals will benefit from God’s blessings, showing how generous and powerful his care is. This also points forward to the blessings of the gospel, which bring life and refreshment to the whole world. v. 21: God explains the reason for all these blessings: This people have I formed for myself; they shall show forth my praise (Isaiah 43:21). God made his people to bring him glory. He saves, leads, and provides for them so that they will praise him with their words and their lives. Our purpose is to honor God for all he has done for us (Ephesians 1:6 j). Reproof to God's People.In this section, God explains why he allowed his people to go into captivity. Although Israel had many blessings and privileges, they neglected God and did not honor him. This justified God’s actions in letting them suffer, but it also highlights how amazing his mercy is when he chooses to forgive and restore them. God’s readiness to pardon is even greater than his people’s failures.v. 22–24: God charges his people with neglecting worship and devotion. Thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob (Isaiah 43:22). They did not pray like their ancestor Jacob. They grew tired of God and his ways. They were stingy with their offerings, not bringing what God asked for, and did not honor him with their sacrifices. Even when they brought sacrifices, their hearts were not right. God did not burden them with hard commands, but they still failed to do what was easy and right (Deuteronomy 12:12; Acts 15:10 k). – v. 24: Not only did they neglect good, but they also did evil. Thou hast made me to serve with thy sins (Isaiah 43:24). Their sins became a burden to God. Instead of being tired by his commands, they made God weary with their disobedience. God feels grief over their rebellion (Psalm 95:10; Ezekiel 6:9 l). v. 25: Even though their sins were many, God offers forgiveness. I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins (Isaiah 43:25). God forgives not because of anything we do, but for his own sake and glory. When God forgives, he forgets the wrongs and restores the relationship (Isaiah 44:22 m). v. 26–27: God invites his people to reason with him. Put me in remembrance: let us plead together (Isaiah 43:26). If they have anything to say in their defense, they can bring it forward. But their history shows a pattern of disobedience, starting with their ancestors and even their leaders (Ezra 9:7 n). Both people and teachers have sinned. – v. 28: Because of their sins, God brought judgment. I have profaned the princes of the sanctuary… I have given Jacob to the curse, and Israel to reproaches (Isaiah 43:28). Both the leaders in the temple and the nation as a whole suffered shame and defeat. This was the result of turning away from God. But all of this makes God’s mercy even more amazing when he chooses to forgive and restore his people.
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