A Promise to Regather The Unworthy
August 25, 2020
Commentary
The Lord exhorts Israel not to fear (vv. 1-7) for their condition will show the world that He is truly the only God (vv 8-13). God had created and framed her and had redeemed her from bondage in Egypt and He will now bring her back home from Babylon in a new “Exodus.” He pictures difficult times as flood waters and fire tells Israel they should not give up or have fear because:
- He will be with them and protect them (vv. 1-3). He created them and made them special to Himself. He redeemed them and summoned them by name.
- He loves them (v. 4). This is not because of something the nation has done or some special quality Israel possesses, but because of His choosing.
- He promised to bring them back to their land (vv 5-7). Isaiah was speaking primarily of Israel’s return from Babylon. However, in a broader sense God’s people will be re-gathered when Christ comes back to rule and reign over the earth in His second coming.
Israel is God’s servant in the world and also God’s witness to the world (vv 8-13). It was their task to be a witness, telling the world who God is and what He has done. They demonstrate that He is the only God, that He existed before any god was made, and that He will continue to exist long after the last idol perishes (v. 10). Believers today share the responsibility of being God’s witness. People cannot see God directly, but they can see Him reflected in us.
Application
Israel’s task was to be a witness, telling the world who God is and what he has done. I need to remind myself that the only way some people may know what God is like is through my words and example. They cannot see God directly, but they can see Him reflected in me.
Isaiah 43:1– 13 (NET)
1 Now, this is what the Lord says, the one who created you, O Jacob, and formed you, O Israel: “Don’t be afraid, for I will protect you. I call you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I am with you; when you pass through the streams, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not harm you.
3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your deliverer. I have handed over Egypt as a ransom price, Ethiopia and Seba in place of you.
4 Since you are precious and special in my sight, and I love you, I will hand over people in place of you, nations in place of your life.
5 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. From the east I will bring your descendants; from the west I will gather you.
6 I will say to the north, ‘Hand them over!’ and to the south, ‘Don’t hold any back!’ Bring my sons from distant lands, and my daughters from the remote regions of the earth,
7 everyone who belongs to me, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed—yes, whom I made.
8 Bring out the people who are blind, even though they have eyes, those who are deaf, even though they have ears!
9 All nations gather together, the peoples assemble. Who among them announced this? Who predicted earlier events for us? Let them produce their witnesses to testify they were right; let them listen and affirm, “It is true.”
10 You are my witnesses,” says the Lord, “my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may consider and believe in me, and understand that I am he. No god was formed before me, and none will outlive me.
11 I, I am the Lord, and there is no deliverer besides me.
12 I decreed and delivered and proclaimed, and there was no other god among you. You are my witnesses,” says the Lord, “that I am God.
13 From this day forward I am he; no one can deliver from my power; I will act, and who can prevent it?”