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More Isaiah commentaries
Isaiah 41:1-16
God’s Protection of Israel
Isaiah 41:17-29
God’s Challenge to The Idols
Isaiah 42:1-9
Mission of the Servant
Isaiah 42:10-25
Discipline of the Servant
Isaiah 43:1-13
A Promise to Regather the Unworthy
Isaiah 43:14-28
Israel Promised Deliverance From Babylon
Isaiah 44:1-8
God’s Forming of Israel
Isaiah 44:9-20
Idolatry is Foolishness
Isaiah 44:21-28
Prediction of Cyrus
Isaiah 45:1-13
Vindication of the Lord
Isaiah 45:14-25
The Lord Alone Can Save
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God’s Forming of Israel
Isaiah 44:1–8
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
At age 83 on August 4, 1786, John Wesley wrote his pamphlet entitled “Thoughts on Methodism.” This contains one of my favorite quotations from Wesley but one that continues to haunt me as I reflect on the sad state of the United Methodist denomination in America t … More
In this chapter, Isaiah contrasts God’s forming of Israel (vv 1-8) to the Gentiles forming of their gods (vv 9-20). This chapter also contains one of the most amazing prophesies found anywhere in the Old Testament (v. 28). Cyrus, the king of Persia, is named as the coming deliverer of the Jewish people more than 140 years in advance. This prediction is paralleled only where Josiah is named three hundred years ahead of his time (I Kings 13:2).
Isaiah says that the Lord will revive Israel physically and spiritually (vv. 1-2). He will pour out water on the land, making it well watered and He will pour out His Holy Spirit on their descendants (v. 3). This outpouring of the Spirit will occur when the people have returned in belief to the land which is just after Christ’s second coming to establish the millennium (Joel 2:25-29). Redeemed Israel will prosper numerically like grass and willow trees (v. 4) and they will want to be known as righteous individuals (v. 5). The Lord reminds Israel that He is their one and only God (v. 6).
The Lord agrees in His uniqueness by challenging anyone to tell of the past and the future (v. 7). The question is asked as to who else can predict the future with this kind of accuracy that He can. He even calls on the people to be His witnesses to the fact that he can indeed predict in advance of their fulfillment (v. 8). Because He has redeemed them, they should have nothing to fear.
Application
There is a time coming when Israel will be proud of belonging to God (v. 5). I should be proud now to be one of His and be delighted to let everyone know about my relationship with Him.
Isaiah 44:1-8 (English Standard Version)
"But now hear, O Jacob my servant, Israel whom I have chosen! Thus says the LORD who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you: Fear not, O Jacob my servant, Jeshurun whom I have chosen. For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They shall spring up among the grass like willows by flowing streams. This one will say, 'I am the LORD's,' another will call on the name of Jacob, and another will write on his hand, 'The LORD's,' and name himself by the name of Israel." Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: "I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen. Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any."
View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway) »
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