Isaiah 43

Isaiah 43:1

God formed the Israelites into a church and state, redeemed them from their Egyptian and other enemies, and made them his peculiar people

Isaiah 43:2

Whatever great troubles churches or saints endure, they are not hurt nor destroyed by them. 3, 4. God destroyed the Egyptians and others to advance the glory and happiness of the Israelites; and has and will destroy nations for the preservation of his gospel church

Isaiah 43:5-7

God gathered the captive Jews from the different places of the Chaldean empire, and brought them to Canaan, as his people; and, in like manner, gathers all elect sinners from all nations to Christ

Isaiah 43:8-13

Let either the heathen idols, or their votaries, who are almost as stupid and senseless, produce proofs of their foretelling such events, or else own me to be the only true God.—The several events, which I have foretold concerning you Jews and my servant the Messiah, and which, by mighty power, I have performed, or will accomplish, are demonstrative evidences that I am the only true God

Isaiah 43:14-17

In order to your deliverance from Babylon, I will send the Medes and Persians to destroy the Chaldean empire, and will remove all hindrances of your return

Isaiah 43:19-21

Nay, the division of the Red sea, and drowning of Pharaoh and his army in it, and other things which I have done for you, shall not be comparable to what I will do, in safely conducting you from Babylon, and re-establishing you into a glorious church for myself; and especially in spreading the gospel and the gospel church, and converting multitudes of the most stupid and mischievous sinners to Christ, for the manifestation of my glory

Isaiah 43:22-24

But, though I never required of you any services that were really burdensome, ye have neglected and been weary of my true worship; ye have not offered me sacrifices in obedience to my commands, or for my glory, but for some selfish respects; and have even grudged the expense of them, while ye were liberal in the service of idols; ye have abused my revelations, ordinances, and bounties of providence, to encourage you in wickedness, till I can no longer bear with you

Isaiah 43:25

Nevertheless, merely for my own name’s sake, I still offer you a full and free forgiveness of all your iniquities, through the blood of my Son

Isaiah 43:26

Let this my gracious pardon and promise be pleaded by you; or, if you think you have a righteousness of your own to plead upon, which I have not observed, point it out if you can. 27, 28. Ye cannot plead the merits of your ancestors, or rulers in church or state, as all of them have been sinners, and most of them notorious transgressors. Yes, on that very account have I exposed your chief priests to contempt and ruin, and your whole nation to dreadful misery and ignominy

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XLIII.—O how grace much more abounds where guilt and ignominy had abounded! Thrice happy are those troubles which occasion the peculiar presence, supports, and comforts, of a reconciled God! How important that relation which is the source and foundation of such divine favours! Happy are they whom God has chosen for himself! Neither opposition, guilt, nor distance, shall be able to prevent their access to and enjoyment of him. But unhappy are they who stand in the way of their mercy. Incomparably better is J. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. REPLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XLIII.—O how grace much more abounds where guilt and ignominy had abounded! Thrice happy are those troubles which occasion the peculiar presence, supports, and comforts, of a reconciled God! How important that relation which is the source and foundation of such divine favours! Happy are they whom God has chosen for himself! Neither opposition, guilt, nor distance, shall be able to prevent their access to and enjoyment of him. But unhappy are they who stand in the way of their mercy. Incomparably better is J. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I