Isaiah 43:1-7
Israel has two names here – Jacob and Israel. God is the creator of both Jacob and the nation of Israel. He formed both of them for His purpose. God gave the command to not fear Him because He had redeemed them. When the price of redemption was paid, the redeemed became the owner of the redeemer. God paid the price and Israel is His, and always will be. Even though Israel received a judgment from God, they are still his people. Nothing would change that, in spite of how it felt to them at times. In reality, as their God and Heavenly Father, He went to great lengths to correct them and form them, as well as protect them and guide them. This is displayed in the exodus from Egypt. While this is very real and stands as a testament to display God's work, it also acts as a type for all God's children.
This passage brings to mind that God saw His people through the Exodus as they passed through the waters of the Red Sea. This was the escape from the bondage of Egypt. It was deliverance from bondage to liberty, from death to life. He also saw them through the waters of the Jordan River. If the the passing was a passing through the waters of death to life, then the passing of the Jordan seems to be a passing through to the promise. It is faith then that delivers us from the first to the second; is this a baptism from and a baptism to?
While the nation was in Babylon in Exile, God preserved a remnant symbolized by Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego as they were delivered from the fiery furnace. Time and again, to the present day, we see the Lord act on the part of His people. Israel's problems won't go away until the return of the Lord. God, who by His very nature is a Savior, will preserve them through all their trials. God says he will ransom these other countries to preserve his own.
Since Israel is precious to God, He shows His love by sustaining them and honoring them. The fact that he gives other men and other people for Israel's life seems to be a confirmation of the covenant promise that God would bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse them.
Again, God says fear not. He won't leave them or forsake them. He brought them out of exile and back to the land they were promised. He would restore them. These people who are called by His name were created for His glory. Another gathering of God's people started as the Jews came home to Israel when they once again became a country on May 14th, 1948. That re-gathering brought glory to God also.
Isaiah 43:8-13
At this re-gathering of God's people they will hold court and present their case to God or accept Him. They may bring their best before the Lord and try to be justified or see and hear and finally bend their knee and say that He alone is Lord.
He alone is God and this truth is declared through their very existence and regathering. The statement that there is no other God speaks to the pre-eminence of Yahweh; nothing and nobody compares to Him. All the idols and heavenly hosts pale in comparison. Nothing was before Him or will be after Him, this implies that He created and sustains all others who may be perceived as gods. The very existence of Israel speaks to the sovereign hand of God moving to preserve His people. He is the great 'I AM'.
God says I AM. Aside from Him there is no salvation, no hope and no reason. Before the first day of creation He was already God. He has created, moved and ordained. He has worked out His ways and no one can change that. God said it; so it is, so it will always be.
Isaiah 43:14-17
Look at the titles of God: Redeemer, Holy One of Israel, Creator of Israel, your King. Before they ever went into exile, God spoke through Isaiah of the exile into Babylon, but God would judge Babylon. The people could know this and have confidence by looking at how He delivered them from Egypt. He made a way in the sea. The enemies brought their best in horses and chariots and a great army, but the Lord snuffed them out.
Isaiah 43:18-21
God encourages the people not to look back longing for the 'good ole days'. Look back only as a testimony to God's faithfulness to His promises and look to what He is about to do. There're were amazing days on the horizon, they hadn't seen anything yet. The former things were pretty awesome but the things to come will be incredible. In the messianic kingdom all things will be made new. Where there was desert, rivers will flow. God will bless his people in ways that can't be imagined. The animals, from the jackals that were once a nuisance and the ostrich that was an ugly and somewhat worthless bird (a bird that can't fly), would honor God. The people, the land and the animals will all declare the praise of the Lord.
Isaiah 43:22-28
God wanted to bless them but they wearied Him. He mad them great promises, guided them and protected them and all they brought to Him was their sin. They didn't honor him with their offerings or sacrifices; no praise and thankfulness, no real worship. God grew tired of the iniquities of His people. He wanted to be their God and even said He would blot out their transgressions and not remember their sins, if they turned to Him. God invited them to state their case and try to justify themselves. However, no matter how hard men may try they can't do it. Their sin comes from Adam and their very nature is infected with sin. They are bound for the curse without the salvation of the Lord. For Israel, because they were hard-hearted, they would continue in their sinful ways and live the curse of sin and become a reproach.
©2018 Doug Ford
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