15. The believer's confidence: Isaiah 43:1-13
The believer’s confidence
Isaiah 43:1-13 The first thing to be established in studying this awesome yet comforting scripture, with its positive promises and covenant mercies, is to whom does the Lord speak?
Isaiah 43:1. ‘O Jacob ... O Israel.’ He is not speaking to national Israel nor to the Jews which are natural descendents of Abraham. The Lord is speaking to his elect of all nations, to all who have been redeemed by Christ, called by his spirit, and who believe on him. In several places in scripture these believers are called ‘sons of Jacob’ or the ‘seed of Jacob’ (Isaiah 44:21-23; Isaiah 45:19; Malachi 3:6).
True Israel and true sons of Abraham and Jacob are only those who are in Christ (Romans 2:28-29; Galatians 3:7; Galatians 3:29).
We are sons of Jacob because, like Jacob, the Lord loved us, chose us, and gave us the birthright and a new name, ‘Israel,’ which means ‘a prince of God’ (Genesis 32:28).
‘O Israel, fear not.’ If a person does not fear sin, death, and judgment, he is either ignorant of the fearfulness of these enemies or God has assured him of deliverance from them. That is exactly what we have here!
1. ‘Fear not I have redeemed thee.’ I have, by my blood and righteousness, delivered thee from the curse of the law (Galatians 3:10-13); 1 have forgiven all your sins (1 Peter 1:18-19); I have redeemed you from all judgment (Romans 8:1).
2. ‘Fear not, I have called thee by thy name’ (John 10:14-16). This call is a divine call—‘I called thee’ (Romans 8:29-30). This call is a personal call-‘by thy name.’ This call is from darkness to the kingdom of his dear Son (Colossians 1:13).
3. Fear not, thou art mine’ (John 17:9-10). You belong to me.
Isaiah 43:2. ‘When you pass through the waters’ of trouble, sickness, and sorrows, I will be with you; and the rivers shall not overwhelm you nor destroy you.
‘When you walk through the fire’ of temptation, persecution, disappointment, and the Lord’s ‘trial by fire,’ you will not be burned nor consumed (1 Peter 1:7).
Two comforting statements support us during these experiences. ‘I will be with thee’ (Psalms 23:4-6), and ‘When you pass or walk through the water and the fire.’ Our way to glory lies through these paths of suffering. Yet these paths, though they seem long, will end in his glorious kingdom. They are temporary!
Isaiah 43:3. ‘For I am the Lord thy God.’
1. ‘I am Jehovah;’ the covenant God of his people. He is the holy, just, and righteous God of heaven and earth; and he is our Saviour and sanctifier. Here is the very heart of the gospel—‘God was in Christ reconciling us’ (2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Isaiah 45:21-22; Matthew 1:21-23). In Christ, God is just and justifier (Psalms 85:10).
2. Egypt, Ethiopia, and Seba were all the enemies of God’s people. He is saying that he will deal with, use, and even sacrifice all of these enemies to accomplish his purpose and the redemption of his kingdom (Exodus 11:5-7; 1 Corinthians 3:21-23).
Isaiah 43:4. Every believer knows that by our natural birth, carnal nature and walk, we are no different and in no wise better than the greatest sinner. But;
1. ‘You are precious in my sight.’ I chose you, adopted you into my family, and blessed you with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies in Christ.
2. ‘Thou hast been honorable;’ or I have honored you by giving you to my Son to be his bride. I have crowned you with righteousness and glory and will conform you to his image.
3. ‘I have loved you.’ This love is the source and spring of all mercy and blessings from our God (Jeremiah 31:3). This is everlasting, infinite, and unchangeable love in Christ (Rom. 9:38-39; 1 John 4:10).
Isaiah 43:5-7. The promise in these verses is that ‘his seed’ (Galatians 3:16), ‘his sons and daughters’ (Hebrews 2:10-12), and everyone who is ‘called by my name’ (John 6:37-40) I will bring to glory (1 Peter 3:18) from all nations, kindred, and people. He created us, formed us, and made us accepted in Christ for his glory (Ephesians 2:10; Ephesians 1:6; Ephesians 1:12; Ephesians 1:14).
Isaiah 43:8-9. The Lord God challenges the heathen nations who have eyes but cannot see his glory, who have ears but hear not his word, who worship idols! Produce your gods who can declare the future from the beginning (Isaiah 45:20-21). Give us witnesses and proof of the deity of your idols, or be still and know that I am God and there is none else. ‘It is truth.’
Isaiah 43:10. ‘You are my witnesses.’
1. I have chosen you from the beginning.
2. I have given you to Christ and Christ to you in an everlasting covenant.
3. All that I have written, promised, and pictured of him has come to pass as I have spoken (Isaiah 46:9-11).
4. 1 have called you out of darkness, given you eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to understand me, to know me, and to believe me (1 John 5:20).
‘I am the Lord; beside me there is no saviour.’
‘I have declared you to be mine and I have saved you.’
‘I will work and none can hinder nor reverse it.’