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.

God Promises Protection and Restoration

1
But now this is what ADONAI says, he who created you, Ya'akov, he who formed you, Isra'el: "Don't be afraid, for I have redeemed you; I am calling you by your name; you are mine. ​
2
When you pass through water, I will be with you; when you pass through rivers, they will not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire, you will not be scorched - the flame will not burn you. ​
3
For I am ADONAI, your God, the Holy One of Isra'el, your Savior - I have given Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and S'va for you. ​
4
Because I regard you as valued and honored, and because I love you. For you I will give people, nations in exchange for your life.
5
Don't be afraid, for I am with you. I will bring your descendants from the east, and I will gather you from the west;
6
I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' and to the south, 'Don't hold them back! Bring my sons from far away, and my daughters from the ends of the earth,
7
everyone who bears my name, whom I created for my glory - I formed him, yes, I made him.'" ​

Israel as God's Witnesses

8
Bring forward the people who are blind but have eyes, also the deaf who have ears. ​
9
All the nations are gathered together, and the peoples are assembled. Who among them can proclaim this and reveal what happened in the past? Let them bring their witnesses to justify themselves, so that others, on hearing, can say, "That's true." ​
10
"You are my witnesses," says ADONAI, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you can know and trust me and understand that I am he no god was produced before me, nor will any be after me. ​
11
I, yes I, am ADONAI; besides me there is no deliverer. ​
12
I have declared, saved and proclaimed - not some alien god among you. Therefore you are my witnesses," says ADONAI. "I am God.
13
Since days began, I have been he. No one can deliver from my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?" ​

The Lord's New Act of Deliverance

14
Here is what ADONAI, your redeemer, the Holy One of Isra'el, says: "For your sake I have sent [an army] to Bavel and knocked down the fleeing Kasdim, all of them; their songs of triumph are now lamentations. ​
15
I am ADONAI, your Holy One, the Creator of Isra'el, your King."
16
Here is what ADONAI says, who made a way in the sea, a path through the raging waves; ​
17
who led out chariot and horse, the army in its strength - they lay down, never to rise again, snuffed out and quenched like a wick:
18
"Stop dwelling on past events and brooding over times gone by; ​
19
I am doing something new; it's springing up - can't you see it? I am making a road in the desert, rivers in the wasteland. ​
20
The wild animals will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches; because I put water in the desert, rivers in the wasteland, for my chosen people to drink,
21
the people I formed for myself, so that they would proclaim my praise. ​

Israel's Sin and God's Unilateral Grace

22
But you haven't called on me, Ya'akov; because you have grown weary of me, Isra'el. ​
23
You have not brought me sheep for your burnt offerings, you have not honored me with your sacrifices. I didn't burden you by requiring grain offerings. or weary you by demanding frankincense.
24
You have not spent money to buy me sweet cane or filled me with the fat of your sacrifices. Instead, you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your crimes. ​
25
I, yes I, am the one who blots out your offenses for my own sake; I will not remember your sins. ​
26
Remind me when we're in court together - tell your side, make the case that you are right. ​
27
Your first father sinned, and your spokesmen rebelled against me. ​
28
Therefore I repudiated the officials of the sanctuary, delivered Ya'akov to the curse of destruction, and subjected Isra'el to scorn. ​

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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