God Cares For Israel - Isaiah 43

Isa 43:1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

Fear not; comforting words from the LORD of comfort. What were they fearing? The Babylonians, who were coming to bring them as prisoners to their land. Fear not Jacob, says the LORD who created you and formed you: for I have redeemed you; looking by faith to the promised redeemer, Jesus. I have called you by name. Whether Jew or Christian, we are called by God and belong to Him.

Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Isa 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

These can be taken as literal events and as metaphors of troubles in our lives; God will be with us. Literally, the LORD brought them through the Red Sea and through the Jordan river on dry land. Two notable miracles. Looking ahead to Daniel we see the LORD in the furnace with the three faithful children of Israel who were not harmed by the fire. The LORD can be with us through difficult times and we can call on him for protection and grace. Yes, even grace to die or to be martyred, if this is allowed by God. Whatever our situation, our LORD is with us, bringing us peace.

Isa 43:3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
The glory of these nations will cease but Israel will remain a people.
Isa 43:4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.
Others will give their lives for you, my precious people, but you will endure as a chosen people. Those who curse you, will be cursed.
Isa 43:5 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;
Isa 43:6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;
Isa 43:7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

Israel will return from captivity and in 1948, the nation was reborn. Jews scattered in all the nations are coming home to their homeland.

Isa 43:8 Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.

Truth is given by God through his chosen people. Those who receive the truth of God will see and hear. Those not receiving the gospel message will remain blind and deaf.

Isa 43:9 Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and show us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth.

Prophecy is given through Israel. God's dealing with Israel is unlike any other nation. They were chosen of God. Through Abraham we partake of the promises of the messiah.

Isa 43:10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

The other peoples and nations serve idols. Only the God of Israel is the true God. The Bible is God's true message. Jesus is the Son of God, not just a prophet or teacher, but God the creator and redeemer, sinless and perfect. He is greater than all other religious men; the Living God, not an idol.

Isa 43:11 I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.

So many say all religions lead to the same God. No, only through the God of Israel and Jesus shall we be saved. Islam rules be force and violence. The true God rules by truth, righteous judgment, love and peace.

Isa 43:12 I have declared, and have saved, and I have showed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.

The LORD will have no other god's worshipped before him.

Isa 43:13 Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?

God is the I AM. Who will tell him what to do? He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Do not let a preacher on T. V. say that you can order God to do something. He is almighty, we submit to His will and then he will work his purpose through us.

Isa 43:14 Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships.
He brings down mighty nations, for the sake of his people.
Isa 43:15 I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.

There would be no Israel without the LORD making a covenant with this people.

Isa 43:16 Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;
Isa 43:17 Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow.

All the might of men who come against my people shall be no more. They are quenched like the wick of a smoldering lamp. Jesus came not to quench but to give life to all who would receive him. Such grace, oh what a savior He is.

Isa 43:18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.

Do not dwell in the past.

2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Cor 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

Isa 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
Isa 43:20 The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.

The dragons or lizards drink of the water that was hidden under the land of Israel. The LORD provides for his people.

Isa 43:21 This people have I formed for myself; they shall show forth my praise. Many churches appeal to the flesh and they teach that God is a only wanting to serve them and their desires.God did not create us to just receive blessings. We are to praise him and glorify him. We are to do his work on earth.
Isa 43:22 But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel.
Isa 43:23 Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings; neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense.

At the time of the prophesy, Israel was not trusting in the LORD. They were involved with idols and had left the practice of the law and ceremonies. in most part. But there was a remnant that worshipped him in the appointed way.

Isa 43:24 Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.

They were a sinful people, how the LORD tires of constant sinning. He would In the fullness of time, send forth his son to blot out their sins. All who would receive him by faith.
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Isa 43:25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.
Isa 43:26 Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.
Isa 43:27 Thy first father hath sinned, and thy teachers have transgressed against me.
Isa 43:28 Therefore I have profaned the princes of the sanctuary, and have given Jacob to the curse, and Israel to reproaches.

Because they continued in idolatry and sin, God would give them over to Babylon. But he had not forgotten them and would send Jesus to redeem them. All who can see, by faith, are forgiven of their sins.