Beautiful promises of redemption from our Lord.
- But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by 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 scorched, nor will the flame burn you.
3. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I have given Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place.
4. Since you are precious in My sight, since you are honored and I love you, I will give other men in your place and other peoples in exchange for your life.
5. Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and gather you from the west.
Isaiah 43:1-5
I don't usually quote such long passages, but it's such an achingly beautiful set of verses, I just felt like they totally spoke for themselves.
Israel is His bride. He loves her and even though she was unfaithful, He is going to redeem her. He gave Cyrus Egypt and the Cush for Israel; but He gave His Son as a ransom for everyone.
We sure do see this in the modern era. Modern Israel absolutely thrives and draws people to her from all over the world. I'm drawn to her. She's on my "bucket list."
But even apart from Israel, read those 5 verses again and look into the heart of our God. At church today the speaker pointed out that God spoke most of creation into existence, but He FORMED men and then women. Then He BREATHED life into us.
We are a special expression of His creation.
We are His.
He has a plan to safely get us home. And He is willing to ransom us to get us there. He got Israel safely out of Egypt and away from Pharaoh's army; He can get Israel out of Babylon and get all of us home.
We are precious to Him. We are honored to Him.
It's completely overwhelming to contemplate.
I've spoken with so many people who feel "special", but can't quite express why. Because we are special, but not in the way we think. It's Him that makes us special.
Amazing grace, indeed.
Verse 6 follows after 5 in describing the Lord calling His people home. First from their exile in Babylon; but eventually, in the fullness of time, from every nation He will call them home.
Everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed, even whom I have made.."
Isaiah 43:7
I can't help myself in quoting these verses directly. It's a gold mine of promises.
I am part of "everyone." He formed me and I am called by His name.
I'm overcome with gratitude and joy. What amazing promises.
Verse 8 starts a new paragraph. He calls out the blind and deaf, even if they can see and hear. All nations and peoples are assembled and are given a chance to make their case.
In verse 10 He says they are His witnesses and there was no God before or after Him. The dumb idols have no witnesses to testify to their accomplishments because there were none; but Israel can testify to God's accomplishments and accurate previous predictions.
In verses 11-13, He emphasizes that He alone is Lord, Savior, God, Sovereign, sole Deliverer, and eternal I Am.
In verses 14-17 He emphasizes His name, as their Lord, Redeemer, and the Holy One of Israel.
- He is the One who sent them to Babylon
- And He is the One who can bring them down
- He is theirs--as Holy One, Creator, and King
- He can make a way through seas and waters
- He can bring down chariots and horses
18. Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. 19. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:18-19
Reminds me of Paul writing to the church of the Philippians. Putting the past behind and pressing on to the upward calling. Following His way. His provision.
In verses 20 and 21 He goes on to state that the beasts will glorify Him, who have been living in these rugged land now filled with water- just so that His chosen people have water to drink! And then they will declare His praises.
Again, this reflects in modern Israel. they took a desert and made water flow through drip innovations. Making a breadbasket in the desert. But God.
Verses 21-24 take a turn for the worse. All of this promise and hope, but His people have not called on Him. Have not brought Him sacrifices or offerings. No incense or oil.
But they have brought sin and iniquities.
A tale as old as time. The husband has so much love and is braced to pour out this love in tangible expressions, but the unfaithful wife cannot be bothered to even offer basic acknowledgment.
But God.
I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake; and i will not remember your sins.
Isaiah 43:25
Despite the bitter disappointment in their failure to cry out or acknowledge Him, He makes a way to wipe out even these transgressions.
He is so faithful.
It really is hard to fathom that kind of love and commitment.
And yet, it is me.
I am this unfaithful. This ungrateful. This blinded by my sin, iniquity, and desire.
And yet, He is faithful.
Verses 26-28 round out the chapter with God continuing to describe the plan, knowing Israel will fall short.
- He encourages them to remember Him and argue the case with Him
- He reminds them that their forefathers sinned and their prophets and priests transgressed
- So there are still consequences for leaders and both Judah and Israel.
It's a bit of a discouraging ending to a chapter that started with such beauty and promise. However, that seems to be the journey for this side of eternity.
So much of the last few chapters, and especially this one, contrast the current age with the end of this part of the story with the Millennial Kingdom and the Messiah. It's so easy to get caught up in the joy of the promised future. It's such a hopeful light in my heart. However, He also meant many of these promises for the deliverance from Babylon. In other words, heaven is also now. We can have hope for today because He is unchanging and full of grace and mercy for today as well.
Amen.