Israel Promised Deliverance From Babylon

Isaiah 43:14–28
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In these verses God tells his people once again that He is going to deliver them from Babylon. In his sovereignty He will overthrow Babylon and the Chaldeans who have oppressed His people (vv. 14-15). He reminds them that He is the same God who made a path through the Red Sea for His people to escape while the Egyptian army drowned to insure their deliverance (vv 16-17). The Lord said, forget what has happened in the past (v. 18), I am going to create something new (v. 19). In this new “Exodus” they will be going through desert land where God will provide water and streams in abundance (vv. 20-21). He reminds them that this is a deliverance that they really do not deserve because they have not honored Him nor even adequately sacrificed unto Him (vv 22-23). They had maintained the outward form of worship but with unrepentant hearts.

He reminds them that this “Exodus” would not come as a result of their prayers, offerings or sacrifices. In fact, they had not even wearied themselves in the sacrificial system, but their sins had wearied God (vv 22-24). However, God would forgive them because of His grace and for His own sake (v. 25). He did state that even though He would forgive Israel He still needed to discipline them (v. 26). They had dragged God’s reputation down into the mire of their sinful life-style while maintaining a mere outward observation of worship toward Him. Even the patriarchal forefathers, such as Abraham, were all guilty of sin in their own personal lives (v. 27). He let Israel be destroyed and the people disgraced (v. 28). How tempting it is to remind someone of a past offense! But after God forgives our sins He totally forgets them. Because God forgives us we need to forgive others.

Application

I need to be careful that I never worship God just as a ritual but that it comes from my heart and life of repentance and service?