Isaiah Reveals the One True God
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TS: Last week we looked at Isaiah revelation of the Messiah. This week, in 43 and 44, He praises God for all He does for His servant, Israel.
MacArthur Study Bible NASB Commentary
The only explanation for the ongoing existence of the nation of Israel is God’s sovereign grace, which brought her into existence from nothing (cf. Dt 7:6–11) and sustains her. Since she was God’s creation, she could find comfort in knowing that no one or nothing can destroy her, not even her own wickedness
RS: Many of the promises apply to us. Paul describes this in Romans 11, where he says:
But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree,
do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.
God formed Israel out of nothing and made her a nation and called her as His chosen people. By grace He opened the door for all people, Jews and Gentiles, to experience His blessings. We are grafted in.
Because of his grace (43:1–21; 44:1–8, 21–28):
Because of his grace (43:1–21; 44:1–8, 21–28):
The Lord does many things for the people of Israel:
1. He protects them (43:1–2, 14–17)
1. He protects them (43:1–2, 14–17)
a. From the fire and water (Isaiah 43:1–2)
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
God watches over them through all circumstances.
water, rivers, fire, flame:
Many past and current perils have been faced by Israel are summed up in those words.
They invoke 3 big events from the scriptures
Moses leading them through the Red Sea
Joshua leading them across the Jordan
Shardrach, Meschack, and Abednego in the fiery furnace
There was no need to fear
MacArthur Study Bible NASB Commentary
God’s redemption of His people from exile is not to be complete until His Servant returns to reign over the faithful remnant in the land of Israel who have believed on Jesus Christ
Their return from from Babylon illustrated their ultimate return when Messiah returns
Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”;
“and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”
b. From their enemies (Isaiah 43:14–17)
Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “For your sake I send to Babylon and bring them all down as fugitives, even the Chaldeans, in the ships in which they rejoice.
I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.”
Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters,
who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick:
One day, all her enemies will be defeated
Isaiah describes God’s deliverance over Israel’s enemies
God made a way in the sea for Israel and drowned Pharaoh’s army
2. He prefers them (Isaiah 43:3–4):
2. He prefers them (Isaiah 43:3–4):
For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you.
Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life.
They are chosen above all other nations.
God is the Savior
He delivered them from countless enemies
He will also bring spiritual salvation
3. He gathers them (Isaiah 43:5–9 ):
3. He gathers them (Isaiah 43:5–9 ):
Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you.
I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth,
everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
Bring out the people who are blind, yet have eyes, who are deaf, yet have ears!
All the nations gather together, and the peoples assemble. Who among them can declare this, and show us the former things? Let them bring their witnesses to prove them right, and let them hear and say, It is true.
He brings them back to Israel.
We see a foreshadowing of this in 1948. They went through a time of not being a nation to returning to being a nation. Is this their final return? Only God knows, but it illustrates God can and will do what He says!
The ultimate fulfillment will happen at the Return of Jesus and will include us as adopted children!
4. He appoints them as his special witnesses (Isaiah 43:10–13; 44:6–8):
4. He appoints them as his special witnesses (Isaiah 43:10–13; 44:6–8):
“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.
I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior.
I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and I am God.
Also henceforth I am he; there is none who can deliver from my hand; I work, and who can turn it back?”
Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.
Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen.
Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.”
They know that he alone is God.
They are His witnesses to testify of Him to the world.
5. He ushers in the Millennium for them (Isaiah 43:18–21):
5. He ushers in the Millennium for them (Isaiah 43:18–21):
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people,
the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.
He prepares all things for his people to come home.
When this passage is ultimately fulfilled, all other deliverances will pale in comparison
6. He fills them with his Spirit (Isaiah 44:1–5).
6. He fills them with his Spirit (Isaiah 44:1–5).
“But now hear, O Jacob my servant, Israel whom I have chosen!
Thus says the Lord who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you: Fear not, O Jacob my servant, Jeshurun whom I have chosen.
For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.
They shall spring up among the grass like willows by flowing streams.
This one will say, ‘I am the Lord’s,’ another will call on the name of Jacob, and another will write on his hand, ‘The Lord’s,’ and name himself by the name of Israel.”
The Physical blessings and refreshment described here is a picture of the spiritual refreshment of the Holy Spirit
“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.
Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.
7. He forgives them (Isaiah 44:21–24).
7. He forgives them (Isaiah 44:21–24).
Remember these things, O Jacob, and Israel, for you are my servant; I formed you; you are my servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me.
I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.
Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it; shout, O depths of the earth; break forth into singing, O mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and will be glorified in Israel.
Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: “I am the Lord, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself,
8. He rebuilds their Temple (Isaiah 44:25–28):
8. He rebuilds their Temple (Isaiah 44:25–28):
who frustrates the signs of liars and makes fools of diviners, who turns wise men back and makes their knowledge foolish,
who confirms the word of his servant and fulfills the counsel of his messengers, who says of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be inhabited,’ and of the cities of Judah, ‘They shall be built, and I will raise up their ruins’;
who says to the deep, ‘Be dry; I will dry up your rivers’;
who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all my purpose’; saying of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be built,’ and of the temple, ‘Your foundation shall be laid.’ ”
He causes Cyrus to command that Jerusalem be rebuilt and the Temple be restored.
In spite of their sin (Isaiah 43:22–28):
In spite of their sin (Isaiah 43:22–28):
God does all of this in spite of their sin
They don’t deserve it
They could never earn it
Yet GOD by His grace does it.
“Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob; but you have been weary of me, O Israel!
You have not brought me your sheep for burnt offerings, or honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with offerings, or wearied you with frankincense.
You have not bought me sweet cane with money, or satisfied me with the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins; you have wearied me with your iniquities.
“I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.
Put me in remembrance; let us argue together; set forth your case, that you may be proved right.
Your first father sinned, and your mediators transgressed against me.
Therefore I will profane the princes of the sanctuary, and deliver Jacob to utter destruction and Israel to reviling.
God does all the above even though Israel has often grieved him.
What a display of HIS grace!
That same grace saves us.