Isaiah43

The LORD assures Israel of His unwavering presence, protection, and redemption, declaring them His chosen people, created for His glory. He challenges other nations to present their gods, affirming Himself as the sole God and Saviour. Though Israel has sinned and wearied Him, God promises to blot out their transgressions for His own sake, while also recalling the consequences of their past unfaithfulness.
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God Promises Protection and Restoration

1
Now this is what the LORD says— He who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine! ​
2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze. ​
3
For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place. ​
4
Because you are precious and honored in My sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you and nations in place of your life.
5
Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east and gather you from the west.
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I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back!’ Bring My sons from afar, and My daughters from the ends of the earth—
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everyone called by My name and created for My glory, whom I have indeed formed and made.” ​

Israel as God's Witnesses

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Bring out a people who have eyes but are blind, and who have ears but are deaf. ​
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All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Who among them can declare this, and proclaim to us the former things? Let them present their witnesses to vindicate them, so that others may hear and say, “It is true.” ​
10
“You are My witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may consider and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me no god was formed, and after Me none will come. ​
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I, yes I, am the LORD, and there is no Savior but Me. ​
12
I alone decreed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. So you are My witnesses,” declares the LORD, “that I am God.
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Even from eternity I am He, and none can deliver out of My hand. When I act, who can reverse it?” ​

The Lord's New Act of Deliverance

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Thus says the LORD your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “For your sake, I will send to Babylon and bring them all as fugitives, even the Chaldeans, in the ships in which they rejoice. ​
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I am the LORD, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, and your King.”
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Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea and a path through the surging waters, ​
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who brings out the chariots and horses, the armies and warriors together, to lie down, never to rise again; to be extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:
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“Do not call to mind the former things; pay no attention to the things of old. ​
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Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert. ​
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The beasts of the field will honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I provide water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My chosen people.
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The people I formed for Myself will declare My praise. ​

Israel's Sin and God's Unilateral Grace

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But you have not called on Me, O Jacob, because you have grown weary of Me, O Israel. ​
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You have not brought Me sheep for burnt offerings, nor honored Me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with offerings, nor wearied you with frankincense.
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You have not bought Me sweet cane with your silver, nor satisfied Me with the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened Me with your sins; you have wearied Me with your iniquities. ​
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I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake and remembers your sins no more. ​
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Remind Me, let us argue the matter together. State your case, so that you may be vindicated. ​
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Your first father sinned, and your spokesmen rebelled against Me. ​
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So I will disgrace the princes of your sanctuary, and I will devote Jacob to destruction and Israel to reproach.” ​

Study Notes for Isaiah 43

Verse 1

This verse establishes the foundation of God's relationship with Israel: He is the Creator ('formed thee') and the Redeemer ('I have redeemed thee'). Being 'called by name' signifies a personal, covenantal relationship.

Verse 2

The imagery of 'waters,' 'rivers,' and 'fire' symbolizes severe trials and dangers, specifically referring to the hardships of exile. God promises preservation and presence through these ordeals.

Verse 3

The reference to giving Egypt, Ethiopia, and Seba as ransom may refer to the historical or future geopolitical events surrounding Cyrus’s conquests, where God allowed these territories to fall to secure Israel's freedom from Babylon.

Verse 7

The ultimate purpose of Israel’s creation and formation is directly tied to God's glory. The people are redeemed so that they might reflect and declare His praise.

Verse 8

This verse initiates a divine lawsuit (a legal challenge). The 'blind people that have eyes' refers to Israel, who, despite experiencing God's acts, failed to perceive His truth and power.

Verse 9

God challenges the nations and their idol-gods to produce witnesses who can prove their power by accurately predicting 'former things' (past events) or the future.

Verse 10

Israel is explicitly designated as Yahweh’s chosen witnesses. Their existence and history are meant to demonstrate the unique reality of the one true God, who alone exists eternally.

Verse 11

This is a profound statement of monotheism. Yahweh emphatically declares His exclusive identity: He is the only Lord, and salvation (deliverance) comes from Him alone, contrasting Him with impotent idols.

Verse 13

This asserts God’s eternal pre-existence ('before the day was I am he') and His absolute sovereignty over all events. Nothing can thwart His plan ('who shall let it?').

Verse 14

God is identified as the 'redeemer' who will intervene directly in world affairs. He promises to send agents (likely Cyrus) against Babylon to facilitate Israel's release from exile.

Verse 16

The language explicitly recalls the miracle of the Exodus, where God made a way through the Red Sea, setting the stage for the comparison with the 'new thing' He is about to do.

Verse 18

A surprising command. God instructs Israel not to fixate only on the glorious past (the Exodus), because the coming deliverance from Babylon will be a greater, 'new' display of His power.

Verse 19

The 'new thing' is the imminent return from exile, which will involve a miraculous journey through the wilderness, providing water and resources, echoing the Exodus but surpassing it.

Verse 21

The purpose of the new creation (the restored nation) is identical to the original purpose: to be a people dedicated to declaring God’s praise and glory.

Verse 22

The tone abruptly shifts from promises of salvation to confrontation. God accuses Israel of spiritual apathy and weariness, contrasting their failure with His boundless grace.

Verse 24

God denies burdening Israel with excessive ritual demands. Instead, Israel has burdened God, making Him 'serve' through the weight of their persistent sins and iniquities.

Verse 25

This verse is the theological climax. God promises forgiveness not because Israel repented or offered sufficient sacrifice, but purely 'for mine own sake'—to maintain His character and reputation as a gracious God.

Verse 26

God challenges Israel to a legal debate, inviting them to present evidence of their own righteousness to justify themselves. This rhetorical challenge highlights their absolute failure and need for grace.

Verse 27

The 'first father' may refer to Jacob (the patriarch) or the nation’s founding leaders. This confirms that sin and transgression have been characteristic of Israel throughout its history.

Verse 28

Because of their pervasive sin, God withdrew His protection, allowing the desecration of the temple leadership ('princes of the sanctuary') and the catastrophe of the Babylonian exile ('given Jacob to the curse').

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