Isaiah 43

Isaiah 43:1

5. Comfort from Israel’s Restoration (Chap. 43, 44)43:1-7 In tones of tender love, Jehovah assures His people that they need not . . . fear, because He who created, formed, redeemed, and called them will be with them in the flood and fire. The Holy One of Israel gives Egypt as their ransom, a promise that was fulfilled after the return of the Jews from captivity. Vine writes: The Lord rewarded Cyrus the Persian Monarch for liberating them, by permitting him and his son Cambyses to possess Egypt and the neighbouring kingdoms. Seba was the large district between the White and the Blue Nile, contiguous to Ethiopia. The possession of these lands was not merely a gift, it was a ransom price (a kopher, or covering), the people on whose behalf payment was made, being covered by it. Because Israel is precious, honored, and loved, God will give men in exchange for her, that is, judgment will fall on the Gentiles in every direction in order that His sons and His daughters might be restored to the land. Verses 5-7 describe that restoration. 43:8-13 The Lord now summons Israel and all the nations to a court test. Let them bring . . . witnesses as to the ability of idols to predict future events. Otherwise let them acknowledge that only God is true. The LORD calls Israel as His witnesses; they should testify that He is the only true God, that He is eternal, that besides Him there is no savior and Deliverer, and that His decrees and acts cannot be thwarted. 43:14-21 The LORD is determined to crush Babylon for Israel’s sake. This will demonstrate that He is the LORD, His people’s Holy One, Creator, and King. He is the One who brought them through the Red Sea, destroying the pursuing Egyptians at the same time. But the exodus is forgettable compared to what He is now going to do. He will make a road through the desert for His people as they return from captivity. In the renewed earth, the waste places will enjoy plentiful water supplies so that the creatures of the wilderness will be grateful. God’s people, too, will be grateful and will praise His Name. 43:22-24 These verses revert to Israel’s pre-captivity days. The people were prayerless and they grew weary of God. Although they brought Him offerings in a perfunctory way, their hearts were far from God, so it was the same as if they brought no sacrifices. They didn’t overload God with giftsonly with their iniquities! 43:25-28 Yet in His grace He blots out their transgressions and forgives and forgets their sins. Can they cite any merit in themselves why He should do this? No. Their entire history has been one unbroken record of sin and failurefrom Adam on. That is why His judgment came upon them.