Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

ISAIAH - CHAPTER 43

JEHOVAH, THE ONLY REDEEMER OF HIS SERVANT-PEOPLE

Vs. 1-7: ISRAEL, GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, COMFORTED

1. By contrast with the judgment upon the blindness, hardness and impenitence of Israel (as set forth in chapter 42), this chapter opens with God’s contrasting: "But now’.".

a. How often, in the scriptures, do those two little words reveal man’s extremity to be God’s opportunity, (Ephesians 5:8, etc.).

b. But, it must be understood that this is "all of grace"; this does not come as a result of any merit on the part of Israel.

2. God has created Jacob and formed Israel as a peculiar people for His own possession, glory and service; they are His! He claims them.

a. He created them for His own pleasure, (vs. 7, 15, 21; Isaiah 44:2; Isaiah 44:21; Isaiah 44:24; comp. 1 Peter 2:9).

b. He redeemed them from hopeless bondage, (Isaiah 44:22-23; Isaiah 48:20).

c. He chose them - calling them by name (Isaiah 45:3-4; Romans 8:28-30; comp. Genesis 32:28) - to be a special vehicle of His grace to the ends of the earth; divine election is always for responsibility!

d. Thus, they need not be afraid; He is their adequate protection in every conceivable situation, (vs. 2; Psalms 66:12; Psalms 138:7; comp. Exodus 14; Daniel 3:25-27).

3. As "the Holy One of Israel" He is Jehovah, their God and Saviour! The very title suggests a special relationship between God and this people, (vs. 3a).

4. From the beginning Israel has been precious and honorable in the Lord’s sight; so deep had been His love that He was willing to give Egypt, Ethiopia and Seba a ransom for her, (vs. 3b-4).

5. Once more He quietens the fears of Israel (vs. 5; Isaiah 41:10; Isaiah 41:14; Jeremiah 30:10; Jeremiah 46:27-28) - declaring His holy purpose to call His peculiar people (the seed of Jacob, whom He created for His own glory) from the ends of the earth, (Nehemiah 2:1-10).

a. Here is another of those prophecies that looks on beyond our time to the consummation of the age.

b. Though there was a partial return from Babylon, it was just that. (Even Daniel, the prophet, failed to return with his people!)

c. And to this date there has been no general return of Israel’ from the Assyrian captivity.

d. But, as already noted (Isaiah 12), Israel and Judah will yet be united, under the Messianic David, to fulfill their servant-role during the millennium.

1. Can any of the nations lay claim to such a Creator-Sustainer-Protector-God as the God of Israel? (vs. 8-9)

a. Let the nations assemble, state their case and show what their idols have done for them - if they can! This is nothing less than a divine summons to a court of judgment!

b. Let them produce witnesses to justify their idolatry, superstition, and rejection of God’s claims.

c. Otherwise, let them acknowledge and bow to the truth - the supreme sovereignty of Israel’s God! (Without this they can never share in the blessedness that He yearns to bestow upon them.)

2. Israel is the Lord’s witness - the servant whom He has chosen to know, believe, and understand that He is God alone.

a. There was none before Him and shall be none after Him; He is the eternal God - without beginning and ending.

b. He is Jehovah - the only Saviour!

3. When there was no strange god among them, God had spoken to Israel - declaring His love and His covenant-purpose toward them.

a. He delivered them from the Egyptians - bringing them safely through the Red Sea.

b. With His outstretched hand He poured out judgment upon Egypt for the benefit of the people He had chosen for Himself.

c. Thus, he manifested His supreme deity over the gods of Egypt - of which Israel is His witness.

d. And He is also delivering His people from Babylon; His purpose will not fail.

4. Before the day was created, Jehovah was God - eternal and omnipotent, (vs. 13; Psalms 90:2).

a. None can deliver out of His hand.

b. Nor can any hinder the fulfillment of His purpose, (Isaiah 14:27).

Vs. 14-21: BABYLON HUMBLED FOR ISRAEL’S SAKE

1. Even before Judah goes into the Babylonian captivity the Lord encourages her by stating His purpose to humble the Babylonians -for her sake, (vs. 14).

2. The nation must not forget that He, her Lord, is also her Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer and King, (Isaiah 51:13; Isaiah 43:20; Isaiah 41:14; Isaiah 41:21; Isaiah 44:6; Psalms 121:4).

3. Of the anti-God world-system, which Isaiah sees manifesting itself through Babylon (vs. 17), it is said: "They shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow" - overthrown so as never again to lift up their head, (Psalms 76:5-6; Isaiah 1:31).

4. But Isaiah hastens to contrast what God will do for Israel, His firstborn, (vs. 19; Exodus 4:22).

a. It will be a "new thing", (Isaiah 42:9; Isaiah 48:6).

b. He will raise up (delivering from prison) the people whom He has formed for Himself, that they may truly show forth His praise, (vs. 21; Psalms 102:18; Ephesians 1:10-12).

5. The terminology used in verses 19-20 appears frequently in Isaiah and alludes to restoration and formative re-organization of the Theocracy in which the covenant-nation (Israel) will have a significant role.

6. Thus, "the ransomed of the Lord" will come to Zion with everlasting joy, and praise for God’s wonderful works, (Isaiah 42:12; Luke 1:74-75; 1 Peter 2:9).

7. This is most aptly described, by Peter, as a "time of refreshing" from the presence of the Lord, (Acts 3:19-21); a day of, rest, gladness and peace:

Vs. 22-28: INGRATITUDE REQUIRES HUMILIATION

1. In spite of God’s bounty toward Israel, the people of the covenant have not considered and called upon Him, (vs. 22a; Isaiah 1:2-4; Isaiah 30:9-11).

2. Though they grew weary of him, it was not because He wearied them by requiring incense, (vs. 22b; 23c; Micah 6:3; Malachi 1:13; Malachi 3:14; Jeremiah 7:21-26).

3. His people have been unfaithful in their stewardship and worship.

a. They have brought no cattle for burnt offerings, nor have they honored Him with sacrifices, (vs. 23a; Amos 5:25; Zechariah 7:5-6; Malachi 1:6-8).

b. They have withheld their offerings, (vs. 24a; 2 Chronicles 29:7).

c. And they have wearied God with their sins and iniquity, (vs. 24b; Nehemiah 13:10; Malachi 3:8).

4. Yet, for His own name’s sake (Isaiah 37:35; Isaiah 48:9; Isaiah 48:11; Ezekiel 36:22), God blots out their transgressions and declares that He will remember their sins no more, (vs. 25; Isaiah 44:22; Isaiah 55:6-7; Jeremiah 50:20; Isaiah 38:17; Jeremiah 31:34).

5. Still, He summons them to vindicate their actions, (vs. 26; Isaiah 1:18).

a. Their first father (Abraham) sinned, (vs. 27a; Isaiah 51:2; Ezekiel 16:3).

b. And their teachers have transgressed against the Holy One of Israel, (vs. 27b; Isaiah 9:15; Isaiah 28:7; Jeremiah 5:31).

6. Therefore, He has excommunicated them (cutting them off from covenant-fellowship with Himself), and delivered them up to reviling, until they are ready to humble themselves before their Maker, (vs. 28; 47:6; La 2:2-6; Ezekiel 6:14-14).