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 thus says the LORD who created you, Jacob, and he who formed you, Israel: “Don’t be afraid, 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 through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and flame will not scorch you. ​
3
For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I have given Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. ​
4
Since you have been precious and honored in my sight, and I have loved you; therefore I will give people in your place, and nations instead of your life.
5
Don’t be afraid; for I am with you. I will bring your seed from the east, and gather you from the west.
6
I will tell the north, ‘Give them up!’ and tell the south, ‘Don’t hold them back! Bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
7
everyone who is called by my name, and whom I have created for my glory, whom I have formed, yes, whom I have made.’” ​

Israel as God's Witnesses

8
Bring out the blind people who have eyes, and the deaf who have ears. ​
9
Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the peoples be assembled. Who among them can declare this, and show us former things? Let them bring their witnesses, that they may be justified; or let them hear, and say, “That is true.” ​
10
“You are my witnesses,” says the LORD, “With my servant whom I have chosen; that you may know and believe me, and understand that I am he. Before me there was no God formed, neither will there be after me. ​
11
I myself am the LORD; and besides me there is no savior. ​
12
I have declared, I have saved, and I have shown; and there was no strange god among you. Therefore you are my witnesses”, says the LORD, “and I am God.
13
Yes, since the day was I am he; and there is no one who can deliver out of my hand. I will work, and who can hinder it?” ​

The Lord's New Act of Deliverance

14
Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “For your sake, I have sent to Babylon, and I will bring all of them down as fugitives, even the Kasdim, in the ships of their rejoicing. ​
15
I am the LORD, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.”
16
Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters; ​
17
who brings out the chariot and horse, the army and the mighty man (they lie down together, they shall not rise; they are extinct, they are quenched like a wick):
18
“Don’t remember the former things, and don’t consider the things of old. ​
19
Behold, I will do a new thing. It springs out now. Don’t you know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. ​
20
The animals of the field shall honor me, the jackals and the ostriches; because I give water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen,
21
the people which I formed for myself, that they might declare my praise. ​

Israel's Sin and God's Unilateral Grace

22
Yet you have not called on me, Jacob; but you have been weary of me, Israel. ​
23
You have not brought me of your sheep for burnt offerings; neither have you honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with offerings, nor wearied you with frankincense.
24
You have bought me no sweet cane with money, nor have you filled me with the fat of your sacrifices; but you have burdened me with your sins. You have wearied me with your iniquities. ​
25
I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake; and I will not remember your sins. ​
26
Put me in remembrance. Let us plead together. Declare your case, that you may be justified. ​
27
Your first father sinned, and your teachers have transgressed against me. ​
28
Therefore I will profane the princes of the sanctuary; and I will make Jacob a curse, and Israel an insult.” ​

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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