Isaiah 44:21

¶ Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou [art] my servant: I have formed thee; thou [art] my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me.

Remember {H2142} these, O Jacob {H3290} and Israel {H3478}; for thou art my servant {H5650}: I have formed {H3335} thee; thou art my servant {H5650}: O Israel {H3478}, thou shalt not be forgotten {H5382} of me.

"Keep these matters in mind, Ya'akov, for you, Isra'el, are my servant. I formed you, you are my own servant; Isra'el, don't forget me.

Remember these things, O Jacob, for you are My servant, O Israel. I have made you, and you are My servant; O Israel, I will never forget you.

Remember these things, O Jacob, and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me.

Isaiah 44:21 is a powerful reminder from God to His people, Israel, emphasizing their unique relationship with Him and His unwavering commitment. It serves as both a call to remembrance and a profound assurance of divine faithfulness.

Context

This verse is situated within a significant section of Isaiah (chapters 40-55), often called the "Book of Comfort" or "Second Isaiah," which addresses the Jewish exiles in Babylon. Following a strong denunciation of the futility and foolishness of idolatry in the preceding verses (Isaiah 44:9-20), God directly speaks to Israel. He contrasts His own omnipotence and faithfulness with the impotence of man-made gods. The call to "Remember these" refers to God's past acts of creation and redemption, as well as the arguments against idol worship. It sets the stage for the glorious declaration of salvation and restoration that follows.

Key Themes

  • Divine Remembrance and Faithfulness: The core message is God's enduring memory of His people. Even when Israel felt abandoned or forgotten in exile, God assures them, "thou shalt not be forgotten of me." This highlights God's steadfast love and covenant promises.
  • Israel's Identity as God's Servant: The repeated phrase, "thou art my servant," underscores Israel's special status and purpose. God not only chose them but also "formed" them (Hebrew: yatsar, like a potter shaping clay) for His redemptive plan, as seen in Isaiah 43:1. This identity implies a responsibility to serve Him.
  • Contrast with Idolatry: By reminding Israel of His forming hand and their servant status, God implicitly challenges them to abandon the idols of the nations. Their unique origin and purpose should deter them from worshipping false gods that cannot form or remember.
  • Covenant Relationship: The verse reaffirms the unbreakable bond between the Creator and His chosen people, a relationship founded on His initiative and sustained by His faithfulness, echoing the promises made to Abraham in Genesis 12.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Jacob and Israel" is used interchangeably to refer to the nation. "Jacob" often evokes the patriarch and the nation's humble beginnings or struggles, while "Israel" emphasizes their identity as God's chosen people, the "prince of God." The repetition of "thou art my servant" serves to powerfully reinforce this fundamental truth about their existence and purpose. The verb "formed" (Hebrew: yatsar) speaks to God's deliberate, sovereign, and creative act in bringing Israel into being as a distinct nation, just as a potter molds clay, emphasizing divine craftsmanship and ownership.

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 44:21 offers profound comfort and clarity. Just as God formed Israel, He has also "formed" us in Christ, making us His workmanship (Ephesians 2:10). We are called to remember God's faithfulness throughout history and in our personal lives, especially when facing trials or temptations to trust in worldly things. This verse assures us that we are never forgotten by God; His commitment to His people, both Israel and the church, is unwavering. It calls us to embrace our identity as His servants, living out the purpose for which He has uniquely created us, and trusting in His unfailing memory and love.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 44:1

    ¶ Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen:

  • Isaiah 44:2

    Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, [which] will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.

  • Isaiah 49:15

    Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

  • Isaiah 49:16

    Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of [my] hands; thy walls [are] continually before me.

  • Isaiah 46:8

    Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring [it] again to mind, O ye transgressors.

  • Isaiah 46:9

    Remember the former things of old: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else; [I am] God, and [there is] none like me,

  • Isaiah 43:15

    I [am] the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.
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