Israel’s Only Savior
Isa 43:1 But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
Isa 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Isa 43:3 For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead.
Isa 43:4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.
Isa 43:5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.
Isa 43:6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
Isa 43:7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
Isa 43:8 Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf.
Isa 43:9 All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Which of their gods foretold this and proclaimed to us the former things? Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right, so that others may hear and say, “It is true.”
Isa 43:10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.
Isa 43:11 I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior.
Isa 43:12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “that I am God.
Isa 43:13 Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?”
Isa 43:14 This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “For your sake I will send to Babylon and bring down as fugitives all the Babylonians, in the ships in which they took pride.
Isa 43:15 I am the LORD, your Holy One, Israel’s Creator, your King.”
Isa 43:16 This is what the LORD says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters,
Isa 43:17 who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:
Isa 43:18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
Isa 43:19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Isa 43:20 The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen,
Isa 43:21 the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.
Isa 43:22 “Yet you have not called on me, Jacob, you have not wearied yourselves for me, Israel.
Isa 43:23 You have not brought me sheep for burnt offerings, nor honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with grain offerings nor wearied you with demands for incense.
Isa 43:24 You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me, or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your offenses.
Isa 43:25 “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.
Isa 43:26 Review the past for me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence.
Isa 43:27 Your first father sinned; those I sent to teach you rebelled against me.
Isa 43:28 So I disgraced the dignitaries of your temple; I consigned Jacob to destruction and Israel to scorn.
1 The Lord comforts the church with his promises. 8 He appeals to the people for witness of his omnipotence 14 He foretells them the destruction of Babylon, 18 and his wonderful deliverance of his people. 22 He reproves the people as inexcusable.
Israel’s Only Savior
For the setting see on ch. 40:1. The threatenings and reproofs of the closing verses of the preceding chapter are now placed in contrast with promises of hope. Judgment is followed by mercy; God’s love is greater than His wrath. “In all their affliction he was afflicted” (ch. 63:9). In spite of their transgressions, He loved them still and desired nothing more than to have them return wholeheartedly to Him.
Isa 43:1 But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
See on ch. 40:12, 26, 28. God had created Israel, as a nation, to be an honor to His name (vs. 7, 21). In this they had thus far failed, but God sought to impress upon them that they were still His people, called by His name, and ordained to be His special representatives and witnesses among men (43:10; 44:8).
Isa 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Even when they found themselves in the direst straits, God’s people had the assurance that He would be with them to sustain and to save. They were not promised freedom from trouble and affliction, but comfort and eventual deliverance. Various times Israel had passed “through fire and through water,” but God saved them (Ps. 66:12; cf. Isa. 8:7, 8). “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivered him out of them all” (Ps. 34:19; cf. vs. 17, 18). In Scripture, water and fire often appear as purifying agents (Num. 8:7; Job 23:10; cf. 2 Peter 3:5–7).
Isa 43:3 For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead.
Some have suggested that this verse refers to the transfer of Egypt, Ethiopia, and Seba into the hands of Persia in return for her liberation of the Jews from Babylonian captivity. Cyrus issued the first decree permitting the Jews to leave Babylon and rebuild their Temple (2 Chron. 36:22, 23; Ezra 1:2–4), and his son Cambyses conquered Egypt. The dominant thought here is the preciousness of Israel in the eyes of the Lord. See also Eze. 29:18, 19.
Isa 43:4 Since you are precious and honoured in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.
Because of His love for Israel God will do anything needful for them. In Moses’ day this love was demonstrated by deliverance from Pharaoh, and in Isaiah’s day, by deliverance from Sennacherib. God’s love for Israel was without partiality, for God is no “respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34). It is not nationality, but character, that counts with God (Acts 10:35).
Isa 43:5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.
These words had a partial fulfillment in the return of the Jews from Babylonian captivity. They were to have a further fulfillment in the ingathering of the faithful from all parts of the world during the Christian Era. Their complete fulfillment will be only when the righteous are gathered from the four corners of the earth at the time of Christ’s return (Matt. 8:11; 24:31; Luke 13:29).
Isa 43:6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
Isa 43:7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
And, therefore, belonging to God. This includes Gentiles as well as Jews, for they are “fellow heirs” (Eph. 3:6), called to be “a chosen generation” to “shew forth the praises of him” who called them “out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Compare Acts 11:26; James 2:7.
Isa 43:8 Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf.
The people of earth, heretofore “blind” and “deaf” to spiritual things, are summoned to examine evidence that the Lord is the true God, and to decide for or against truth (ch. 43:9).
Isa 43:9 All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Which of their gods foretold this and proclaimed to us the former things? Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right, so that others may hear and say, “It is true.”
The nations of earth are summoned to present their case before the court of the universe. They are to have an opportunity to vindicate themselves, but failing this, they are called to acknowledge that the Lord is God and that His ways are truth. Henceforth there will be no excuse for blindness.
Isa 43:10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.
All who acknowledge God (v. 9) are commissioned to bear witness concerning Him before the world. God has given many proofs of His divine wisdom and power, as in Egypt (Ex. 3:12–15), and on Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18:36–39). In a special way in ancient times the Jews were to be God’s witnesses.
As a nation they were to be a living testimony that the Lord is God. The remnant in Jerusalem after Sennacherib’s invasion was, to the world of that day, a testimony of God’s love for His people and His power to deliver them. Even today, though no longer God’s chosen people, the Jewish nation is a striking testimony that God’s word is true. The church today has a role similar to that of Israel in ancient times (see 1 Peter 2:9).
Isa 43:11 I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior.
In Moses’ day God saved His people from the power of Egypt, and in Isaiah’s day, from the power of Assyria. Through all ages He has saved them from the power of sin. When Jesus came into the world He came for the express purpose of saving “his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). There is no other means of salvation (Acts 4:12).
Isa 43:12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “that I am God.
When Israel served strange gods the Lord could not manifest His power in their behalf. He had foretold that He would bring His people into the Promised Land, save them from the hand of their enemies, and bring them back from Babylonian captivity. No strange god could have made these predictions. In all these things the children of Israel were witnesses to God’s foreknowledge and faithfulness.
Isa 43:13 Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?”
Who among men can hinder God? He carries out His own purposes regardless of men. When Assyria attempted to destroy Judah, against God’s will, God destroyed their besieging forces (chs. 14:24–27; 37:33–36).
Isa 43:14 This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “For your sake I will send to Babylon and bring down as fugitives all the Babylonians, in the ships in which they took pride.
Isaiah herewith foretells the Babylonian captivity a century in advance. In the certain knowledge of what is to be, God speaks of future events as if they were already accomplished.
He has demonstrated His power in the saving of His people from the hands of Sennacherib; now He foretells relationships between His people and Babylon. Lest the Babylonians consider their conquest of Judah evidence of the superiority of their gods over the God of Israel, He foretells the event and declares it to be in fulfillment of His eternal purpose (see ch. 10:5–15).
Isa 43:15 I am the LORD, your Holy One, Israel’s Creator, your King.”
God was King of Israel under the theocracy (Ex. 15:18; Ps. 10:16; 29:10; 146:10; Isa. 44:6; Rev. 11:15). His outstanding attributes are here set forth: His character, the Holy One; His power, the Creator; and His authority, King.
Isa 43:16 This is what the LORD says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters,
An allusion to the crossing of the Red Sea (Ex. 14:16; Ps. 77:19). As God had displayed His mighty power in delivering His people from Egyptian bondage, so He would yet display His power in delivering them from Babylon. The same power is available today to deliver men from captivity to sin.
Isa 43:17 who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:
At the Red Sea the Egyptian armies were extinguished like the flame of a wick. The highway of deliverance for God’s people became for the armies of Pharaoh a way of death.
Isa 43:18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past
God had done great things for His people in ages past, but these would be small in comparison with what He would do for them in the future.
Isa 43:19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Referring to the stream that followed Israel in the wilderness (see Ex. 17:6; Num. 20:8; Ps. 78:15, 16; 1 Cor. 10:4).
Here the prophet’s vision is carried forward to the great work God will accomplish in bringing the message of His grace to lands now dry and barren. The crossing of the desert was as truly a miracle as the crossing of the Red Sea. God’s power is no less today. As God opened a way to the earthly Canaan, so He will also open one to the heavenly Canaan.
Isa 43:20 The wild animals honour me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen,
The picture is highly figurative, attributing to wild animals the emotions and attitudes of men. The entire face of the wilderness was to be transformed.
Beautiful gardens would replace the burning sands; flourishing pastures and fertile fields would replace desolate wastes; and the wild creatures of the desert would rejoice in the remarkable transformation. These glorious results were to follow the proclamation of the gospel in the spiritually desolate regions of earth.
Isa 43:21 the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.
Isa 43:22 “Yet you have not called on me, Jacob, you have not wearied yourselves for me, Israel.
Without the care and blessing of God Israel would never have become a nation (v. 21), but the people did not appreciate what God had done for them (see Deut. 6:10–12; 8:7–18; Isa. 5:1–7; Eze. 16:15; Hosea 2:5–9). They became absorbed in the things of earth and ceased to have an interest in the things of God.
Isa 43:23 You have not brought me sheep for burnt offerings, nor honoured me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with grain offerings nor wearied you with demands for incense.
God’s requirements had not been burdensome. What the Lord asked His people to do was for their benefit, not His. He had not ordained the ritual law for His good, but for theirs, in order that they might understand the way of salvation more perfectly.
Isa 43:24 You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me, or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your offenses.
Because man sinned, Christ must leave heaven and take “upon him the form of a servant” (Phil. 2:7). It was our sins that caused the King of glory to become a servant among men. God’s requirements had been reasonable, and were all for the good of men, but they had been unwilling to do their part. God was utterly weary of their hypocritical pretense at worship (Isa. 1:13, 14).
Isa 43:25 “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.
Isaiah clearly sets forth Christ as man’s Saviour from sin. It is He who forgives men their sins.
Divine forgiveness is not merely a legal transaction that wipes from the record the sins of the past, but a transforming power that eradicates sin from the life. By blotting out transgression God transforms sinners into saints. He thus effectually brings an end to sin. The doctrine of atonement for sin is clearly set forth in the OT as well as in the New Testament.
Remembers your sins no more. That is, once they are confessed, forsaken, and forgiven. God treats a repentant sinner as if he had never sinned (see Eze. 18:20, 21). Christ’s words to the woman taken in sin are for all: “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more” (John 8:11).
Isa 43:26 Review the past for me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence.
Set before me your righteous deeds, if you can, that you might be justified thereby. If you have anything good to say in your behalf, say it; I will gladly acquit you of your record of sin if your deeds are such that they will justify you.
In contemporary legal phraseology Isaiah hales the people of Israel before the bar of divine justice.
Isa 43:27 Your first father sinned; those I sent to teach you rebelled against me.
That is, Adam, the father of humanity, since whose time sin has been in the world.
Isa 43:28 So I disgraced the dignitaries of your temple; I consigned Jacob to destruction and Israel to scorn.
Judgment had fallen upon the people of Judah because of their transgressions. The heathen had bitterly reproached them when the armies of Sennacherib surrounded Jerusalem (chs. 36:4–20; 37:10–13).