Reflections: Isaiah 43-48

The first two chapters in this week’s reading program (Isaiah 43 and 44) have meant a great deal to me through the years. It’s not without some irony that I look back over my personal bible study journal, and see that on New Year’s Day, 2017, I was reading in and meditating on these same chapters. Because it was the turn of the year, I was looking to God’s word for some enlightenment as to what to expect. There is a tendency to pause at the start of every January; we make resolutions, we set goals, and we often try and predict what might happen. 

Spirit of God Fellowship was birthed out of the charismatic renewal of the early 1970s. That movement placed a great deal of importance on the manifestation and practical use of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. One such gift was prophecy. A “tradition,” if you will, that grew out the charismatic renewal was the national leaders within the movement, who functioned in the gift of prophecy, would often send out a message at the dawn of the new year with a “word from God” regarding the coming year. 

Here at SOGF, we had a tradition of gathering as a church for worship on New Year’s Eve, and there was an expectation that the Lord was going to speak to us prophetically as a church about the coming year as well. Members of our church who functioned in a prophetic gift would often present a message or vision they had received from God. These messages would set the tone for the New Year, refining the church’s vision, and giving us a renewed focus. At least for me, I came to expect to hear a prophetic message that would help us discern the “rhema,” (a Greek term meaning God speaking something of significance in the here and now) a specific focus for our church from God for the coming year. 

The irony I spoke of in the first paragraph becomes apparent when I look at my notes for January 1, 2017. My summary of what was going on in the world at that time observed “great change around us,” “great uncertainty,” and “instability.” I noted that, “Nothing is as it used to be, or at least it seems that way. The world certainly didn’t expect the political upheaval we experienced in November, and I can’t even begin to predict what to expect as the new administration takes power this month. Across the country and around the world, there is chaos. Bombings and shootings at airports and on the streets. Terrorist groups holding the world hostage. Nations on the brink of war. Nations making fools of our leaders. Bankrupt governments with leaders spending their people into oblivion.” 

I could have written this very same summary on January 1, 2024. 

My notes from 2017 also focused on all the things that were changing in our church. As a part of the leadership team at the time, I knew we were embarking on several concepts that would radically change the direction of our church, the most obvious one being a planned change of moving our regular worship services from Wednesday night to Sunday morning. I could not have imagined then the unforeseen changes that would happen that year, and in the years to come.

But on that day in 2017, I read through Isaiah 43 and 44, and I was convinced it was a prophetic word for me and for our church. These verses have since become some of my “go to” bible passages whenever I need guidance, comfort, and wisdom in a world where stability is never certain. 

Let’s look at these two chapters and see if God doesn’t speak prophetically to each of us, and bring us some of the guidance, comfort, and wisdom we need. Starting in chapter 43, verses 1-2:

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. 

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. 

First, note the initial emphasis on being “created” and “formed.” God has a purpose for his people as surely as he made Adam and Eve, where these same words are used. God also “summoned you by name.” The Hebrew used here could also be translated as “chosen.” The Lord emphasizes this by saying “you are mine.” 

The encouragement offered here is amazing. Though the times are uncertain, and the world around us unstable, there is nothing to fear (indeed, watch how many times it says “do not be afraid” throughout these passages); we are redeemed by God! He knows us by name, we belong to him. No matter what trial we are going through – it could be overwhelming like a flood, or destructive or transforming like a fire, he will see us through. (I must note that when I was going through radiation therapy after my cancer surgery years ago, I clung to the part of verse two here that says, “When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned,” and indeed it proved true). 

Verses 3-4: 

3 For I am the Lord your God, 

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; 

I give Egypt for your ransom, 

Cush j and Seba in your stead. 

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. 

In the historical context, the “ransom” spoken of here could mean the military victories over Egypt, Babylonia, and their allies by the Persian Empire, and the Lord is rewarding Cyrus, the Persian king, for the kindness he bestowed on Israel in allowing them to return from the exile. But the picture God is painting here for us today is that we have been prisoners of war, captured by our enemies. He promises to bring us back home. But the exchange he makes is replacing our imprisonment with the imprisonment of our enemies – instead of the literal nations of Egypt and Cush being offered as ransom, consider whatever our “enemies” might be – the circumstances of life, struggles with sin, the oppression of spiritual warfare, or the darkness of an uncertain future --  this is a promise of vindication – freedom for us, and victory over the oppression in our lives. 

Verses 5-8: 

5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; 

I will bring your children from the east 

and gather you from the west. 

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— 

7 everyone who is called by my name, 

whom I created for my glory, 

whom I formed and made.” 

8 Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, 

who have ears but are deaf. 

Here, the prophet repeats the imagery of the first 4 verses: “do not fear,” “called by my name,” “created,” “formed.” But where verses 1-4 promises redemption and vindication for us as individuals, this is a promise of healing and restoration for our relationships, particularly our children. These could be our actual offspring, or our “spiritual children,” people who we have poured our lives into. Here, these children appear to be beyond redemption. They seem unreachable – “at the ends of the earth.” But the promise is, he will bring them to us, everyone “called by his name,” even those that are so far gone as to blind or deaf. But v. 7 puts these children in the same category as all of us – “called by my name,” “created for my glory.” The restoration of these “children” will cause God’s name to be exalted – and the world will see the power of God, and the faithfulness of his promises. 

Verses 9-13:

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.” 

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. 

11 I, even I, am the Lord, 

and apart from me there is no savior. 

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. 

13 Yes, and from ancient days I am he. 

No one can deliver out of my hand. 

When I act, who can reverse it?” 

These verses speak to the establishment of God’s truth – who He is and the power He yields. But the focus is on how this truth forges a transformation that takes place in God’s people. I think v.12 sums it up – “I have revealed and saved and proclaimed- I, and not some foreign god among you.” The people of Israel were in the habit of repeatedly turning to and worshiping other gods. In so many ways, we are no different. We live in a postmodern world where people decide for themselves what to believe in, and where personal opinions and how you feel matter more than objective standards of right and wrong. This mind set has seeped into the church as well. 

But while there is a definite seriousness and earnestness regarding God’s attitude towards those who seek to focus on and glorify themselves, or to set aside the objective principles of the Lord and identify with their own sense of reality, Isaiah seems to be saying that the debate is no longer with Israel. God is promising to prove himself and reveal himself. But the specific truth he is proving is not doctrinal. The promises of these verses show that it will be what God does in us and through us that will prove he is God, and prove his faithfulness and mercy – We are “his witnesses,” and the miraculous transformation of our lives will be the proof that God is real. 

Verses 14-17:

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. 

15 I am the Lord, your Holy One, 

Israel’s Creator, your King.” 

16 This is what the Lord says— 

he who made a way through the sea, 

a path through the mighty waters, 

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: 

“This is what the Lord says” is repeated twice, in v. 14, and again in v. 16. This is a call to pay particular attention to the things God is about to say — like the public address system when we’re at a sporting event, or riding on public transportation. “Attention! May we have your attention please!” When we hear something like this, we know what is going to follow is meant to be vitally important. 

Both announcements have to do with Israel’s oppressors. For all practical purposes, the people of God had been living as prisoners in a foreign land. While the exiles had no one to blame but themselves for their situation — they were deported because of their sin and unfaithfulness — God’s sense of justice is still at the forefront. God would punish Judah’s oppressors, the Babylonians. In ironic twist, God would force the Babylonians to resort to the magnificent ships they used for both mercantile and military purposes on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and the Persian Gulf as a desperate means of escape. The Lord also invokes the deliverance of Israel from Egypt at the Red Sea. The audience hearing this prophecy at the time would have been familiar with that story from the Book of Exodus, and how God delivered his people with the promise “The Lord will fight for you, you need only be still.” (Ex. 14:14). He does this “for our sake.” God again promises us vindication from our enemies and our circumstances. But it’s God’s doing — it’s his grace and mercy. 

But the announcement of this vindication is just a precursor to the heart of what God wants so to say in verses 18-21:

18 “Forget the former things; 

do not dwell on the past. 

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. 

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, 

21         the people I formed for myself 

that they may proclaim my praise. 

This is God’s answer to our concerns and fears about uncertain times, and not knowing what direction we’re supposed to be going in. He commands us to not look back – what He is bringing us won’t at all be like the “good old days” or “the way things were.” No, it will be something completely different and new! He is going bring water to the desert. Streams in the wasteland. Many of us have felt dry, used up, and feeling aimless in a dusty, barren place. Feeling stuck, going through the motions, but without joy and excitement. God is promising refreshment and renewal that will come via a complete change in direction, a complete change in environment. 

But here’s the thing. In v. 19, God must call our attention to what is happening. “Do you not perceive it?” If we don’t take notice, we’ll miss what God has for us. While God’s plan is a “new thing,” some will not consider it uncommon. They’ll say, “We’ve seen God bring water to the desert before.” Some people will react by saying, “this doesn’t seem so special.” 

But the reality is, God is not just bringing water to the desert the way you or I would water our lawns in the summertime. This is not just a sprinkle. If you’ve seen pictures of the desert regions around the holy land, you know it is some of the most desolate looking real estate on earth. God is bringing more than water but a stream. A rushing river! One that will cut through the wasteland and make a new way – a powerful enough stream to cut a passage and create a road in a place which was previously impassable.

 But once we see what God is doing and changing, how do we embrace it? How do we get behind it? 

We need to realize that whatever has happened before, whatever is happening now — the truth of the matter is God has an amazing reality for us to exist in. The best is yet to come! 

Look at vv 18-19 again, and follow it through with that simple reality in mind: 

[18] “Forget the former things; 

He means forget the past, as in put it out of your mind . . . because the best is yet to come! 

do not dwell on the past.

Why? because it's nothing compared with what he is going to do! 

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. 

It’s going to be as plain as the nose on your face! You can’t miss it! God is making a way where you would have never thought there would be a way! And it will be NEW! Refreshing! Real! 

The best is yet to come! 

Now for verses 22-24:

22 “Yet you have not called on me, Jacob, 

you have not wearied yourselves for me, Israel. 

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. 

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. 

God is pointing out that while we’ve been feeling dry and aimless, many of us just haven’t been trying very hard. We have not been wholeheartedly seeking the Lord. The point of the discussion of the failure to bring offerings and sacrifices is for God to let us know that He doesn’t really expect all that much from us. His yoke is easy – his burden is light. (see Matthew 11:30). He wants us to love Him, to return his affection – to offer him fragrance, to lavish our affection. But he is disappointed that we instead burden him with our sin and disobedience. I can certainly relate to and understand this. It seems like I am constantly feeling dry and used up. I seem to be always arguing with God about where I think I ought to be, and the direction I ought to be going in. But God always seems to have his hand on me.

Verses 25-28: 

25 “I, even I, am he who blots out 

your transgressions, for my own sake, 

and remembers your sins no more. 

26 Review the past for me, 

let us argue the matter together; 

state the case for your innocence. 

27 Your first father sinned; 

those I sent to teach you rebelled against me. 

28 So I disgraced the dignitaries of your temple; 

I consigned Jacob to destruction

and Israel to scorn. 

Here at the end of Chapter 43, God calls out those of us who would argue with Him, and perhaps are disappointed in what’s happened. Verse 25 indicates that despite our rotten attitudes, he is eager to forgive us and restore us. 

Verse 25 states he “remembers your sins no more.” This is a statement that atheists and agnostics argue as a proof against God. How can an all-powerful and all-knowing God “forget?” I don’t think it’s that God no longer recalls what has happened (if he did that, injustice could result), but he can “forget” in the sense that he no longer treats people as if they had sinned. 

God also offers up a bit of irony – as if we could act as our own attorneys and make a case for why we are right. But God puts us in our place – reminding us of our sin nature, which leads to “destruction” and scorn.” But God won’t let that be the last word here. 

Chapter 44, verses 1-2

44 “But now listen, Jacob, my servant, 

Israel, whom I have chosen. 

2 This is what the Lord says— 

he who made you, who formed you in the womb, 

and who will help you: 

Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant, 

Jeshurun, r whom I have chosen. 

 Here, God repeats and embellishes the promises from Chapter 43 – once again we hear how we’ve been “created” and “formed.” We are again urged to “not be afraid.” And the encouragement to not fear is connected to us belonging to Him. 

 Verses 3-5

 3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land,

and streams on the dry ground; 

I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, 

and my blessing on your descendants. 

4 They will spring up like grass in a meadow, 

like poplar trees by flowing streams. 

5 Some will say, ‘I belong to the Lord’; 

others will call themselves by the name of Jacob; 

still others will write on their hand, ‘The Lord’s,’ 

and will take the name Israel. 

Once again, we have more of the fresh water that will enrich our lives where we are dry. But there is also the pouring out of his spirit on our “offspring” and “descendants.” This is a direct messianic connection to Jesus and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Verse 4 speaks of our descendants being like “grass in a meadow,” and like trees – the language implies luxuriant growth. 

Verse 5 has these “descendants” identifying with Jacob – that is, Israel, the Lord’s people. Writing on the hand indicates a mark of ownership – we are owned by God! Aligned with His purposes! 

 Verses 6-20

 6 “This is what the Lord says— 

Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: 

I am the first and I am the last; 

apart from me there is no God. 

7 Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. 

Let him declare and lay out before me 

what has happened since I established my ancient people, 

and what is yet to come— 

yes, let them foretell what will come. 

8 Do not tremble, do not be afraid. 

Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? 

You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? 

No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.” 

9 All who make idols are nothing, 

and the things they treasure are worthless. 

Those who would speak up for them are blind; 

they are ignorant, to their own shame. 

10 Who shapes a god and casts an idol, 

which can profit nothing? 

11 People who do that will be put to shame; 

such craftsmen are only human beings. 

Let them all come together and take their stand; 

they will be brought down to terror and shame. 

12 The blacksmith takes a tool 

and works with it in the coals; 

he shapes an idol with hammers, 

he forges it with the might of his arm. 

He gets hungry and loses his strength; 

he drinks no water and grows faint. 

13 The carpenter measures with a line 

and makes an outline with a marker; 

he roughs it out with chisels 

and marks it with compasses. 

He shapes it in human form, 

human form in all its glory, 

that it may dwell in a shrine. 

14 He cut down cedars, 

or perhaps took a cypress or oak. 

He let it grow among the trees of the forest, 

or planted a pine, and the rain made it grow. 

15 It is used as fuel for burning; 

some of it he takes and warms himself, 

he kindles a fire and bakes bread. 

But he also fashions a god and worships it; 

he makes an idol and bows down to it. 

16 Half of the wood he burns in the fire; 

over it he prepares his meal, 

he roasts his meat and eats his fill. 

He also warms himself and says, 

“Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.” 

17 From the rest he makes a god, his idol; 

he bows down to it and worships. 

He prays to it and says, 

“Save me! You are my god!” 

18 They know nothing, they understand nothing; 

their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see, 

and their minds closed so they cannot understand. 

19 No one stops to think, 

no one has the knowledge or understanding to say, 

“Half of it I used for fuel; 

I even baked bread over its coals, 

I roasted meat and I ate. 

Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left? 

Shall I bow down to a block of wood?” 

20 Such a person feeds on ashes; a deluded heart misleads him; 

he cannot save himself, or say, 

“Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?” 

 Isaiah gives us an extended parable, a satire on the foolishness of idolatry. The irony of gifted craftsmen creating a statute in the form of a man that is then worshiped as God, while at the same time, the left-over wood is used to cook his meal. It doesn’t make sense – at least not to anybody who knows the one true God. 

Verses 21-23

 21 “Remember these things, Jacob, 

for you, Israel, are my servant. 

I have made you, you are my servant; 

Israel, I will not forget you. 

22 I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, 

your sins like the morning mist. 

Return to me, 

for I have redeemed you.” 

23 Sing for joy, you heavens, for the Lord has done this; 

shout aloud, you earth beneath. 

Burst into song, you mountains, 

you forests and all your trees, 

for the Lord has redeemed Jacob, 

he displays his glory in Israel. 

 Throughout the early chapters of this second half of Isaiah (chapters 40-66), there are references to a “servant.” Many bible scholars interpret these references to be pointing to Cyrus, King of Persia as the deliverer of the nation of Israel. (You see that when you get to Chapter 45). But starting here and moving on into Chapter 45, the all the pronouns are first person. God is indicating that this is all about HIM! The Lord, and the coming messiah in the person of Jesus, NOT Cyrus, are the real stars of the show here. God will use Cyrus to accomplish a short-term goal on behalf of his people. But it is by His own hand that God restores the nation of Israel. 

 Verses 24-28

 24 “This is what the Lord says— 

your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: 

I am the Lord, 

the Maker of all things, 

who stretches out the heavens, 

who spreads out the earth by myself, 

25 who foils the signs of false prophets 

and makes fools of diviners, 

who overthrows the learning of the wise 

and turns it into nonsense, 

26 who carries out the words of his servants

and fulfills the predictions of his messengers, 

who says of Jerusalem, ‘It shall be inhabited,’ 

of the towns of Judah, ‘They shall be rebuilt,’ 

and of their ruins, ‘I will restore them,’ 

27 who says to the watery deep, ‘Be dry, 

and I will dry up your streams,’ 

28 who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd 

and will accomplish all that I please; 

he will say of Jerusalem, “Let it be rebuilt,” 

and of the temple, “Let its foundations be laid.” 

Here, we see God’s hand in it all. He has chosen us as his people. The creator of the world, yet he cares for each of us. He turns the perception of the world on its head – those who are wise, or powerful, or who think they know it all, these will come to nothing, will be perceived as not making any sense at all. Instead, God will vindicate his messengers, his people. He will restore us, and make a wonderful city rise where now there are ruins. Yes, he will indeed use Cyrus to rebuild, but the focal point in all this is God, and our relationship with Him. 

Over and over in chapters 43 and 44, we are urged, “Do not be afraid.” God has great things in store for us. New things, different things, but for sure something we wouldn’t otherwise expect – but it will be good. INCREDIBLY GOOD! God has something for each of us as individuals, and something for us together as a body of believers.  Many are sure to find healing and restoration. Relationships among us will be healed and restored. I believe we will begin to find a deeper purpose in the Lord, both as individuals and as a church. I pray we can be open to hear from the Spirit to follow where the Lord leads.