But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; I will say to the north, ‘Give them up,’ and to the south, ‘Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth— everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.’”
Let the blind and deaf come forth, those who have eyes but are blind, and those who have ears but are deaf. Let all the nations gather together, and let the peoples assemble. Who among them has declared this, and foretold to us the former things? Let them bring their witnesses to prove them right, and let them hear and say, “It is true.” You are my witnesses, says the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, and after me there shall be none. I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior. I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses, says the Lord. I am God, and also henceforth I am He; there is no one who can rescue from my hand; I work and who can hinder it?
Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: For your sake I will send to Babylon and break down all the bars, and the shouting of the Chaldeans will be turned to lamentation. I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King. Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, who brings out chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The wild animals will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches; for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, the people whom I formed for myself, so that they might declare my praise.
Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob; for you have grown weary of me, O Israel. You have not brought me your sheep for burnt offerings, or honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with offerings, or wearied you with frankincense. You have not bought me sweet cane with money, or satisfied me with the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins, you have wearied me with your iniquities. I, I am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins. Remind me, let us argue it out; set forth your case, so that you may be proved right. Your first father sinned; your mediators transgressed against me. Therefore I profaned the princes of the sanctuary, I delivered Jacob to utter destruction, and Israel to reviling. But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; I will say to the north, ‘Give them up,’ and to the south, ‘Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth— everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.’”
What does it mean for God to be our Redeemer in Isaiah 43?
+In Isaiah 43, God declares Himself as the Redeemer of Israel, emphasizing His role as Savior and Deliverer. This title signifies God's power and willingness to rescue His people from sin, captivity, and any form of oppression, and to restore them to a right relationship with Himself.
How does Isaiah 43 relate to the concept of God's sovereignty and love for His people?
+Isaiah 43 underscores God's sovereignty over all nations and His unique, unwavering love for Israel. Despite their sins and shortcomings, God affirms His commitment to redeem and restore them, demonstrating the depth of His love and the extent of His sovereignty over human history.
What hope does Isaiah 43 offer to believers facing challenges and hardships?
+Isaiah 43 offers profound hope and assurance to believers. God's promise to be with His people through waters, rivers, and fire (vs. 2-3) symbolizes His presence and protection in the midst of any challenge. It reminds believers that they are not alone, that God is their Savior and Redeemer, and that He will bring them through difficult times into a place of glory and redeemed purpose.
The passage of Isaiah 43 is a testament to God’s enduring love, redemption, and sovereignty. Through its rich imagery and profound declarations, it reassures believers of God’s unwavering commitment to those who are called by His name, promising guidance, protection, and ultimate salvation. As a reflection of God’s character and His relationship with His people, Isaiah 43 stands as a beacon of hope and a reminder of the profound difference that faith in a loving, omnipotent God can make in the lives of individuals and communities.
