Isaiah 43:1-13
This is one of those readings of Hebrew poetry where context helps. I’ll add comments throughout the reading in brackets.
“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, 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, [Out of Egypt the people came. There will be a new Exodus back to the land they were promised. The waters represent danger and destruction.] and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, [Fire probably is a reference to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. The people may have been defeated but God will be true and not let his people go extinct.] and the flame shall not consume you. 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. [The scattered will be saved and gathered from southern Egypt and the Sinai.] Because you are precious in my sight and honored and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life. [The OT God never pays a price to the evil one as a ransom/exchange because God is in control.] Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; [Where the people scattered after the Babylonian conquest] I will say to the north, “Give them up,” [Babylonian areas are in the north and Egypt to the south] and to the south, “Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away 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 forth the people who are blind yet have eyes, who are deaf yet have ears! [It’s a common theme that the blind and deaf to truth will see the truth of God] Let all the nations gather together, and let the peoples assemble. Who among them declared this and foretold to us the former things? Let them bring their witnesses to justify them, and let them hear and say, “It is true.” [A new trial against the Babylonian idols comes from the people who hold true to God giving witness.] You are my witnesses, says the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. [God let the Babylonians conquer the people but has not forgotten God’s people and will bring them back together again.] Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the Lord, [A strong statement of God’s power to foretell, save, create, and make known.] and besides me there is no savior. [God is known as the savior who sends saviors on earth to fight and unite God’s people even non Jewish people like the King of Persia] I am the one who declared and saved and proclaimed, not some strange god among you; you are my witnesses, says the Lord, and I am God.Indeed, since that day I am he; there is no one who can deliver from my hand; I work, and who can hinder it? Isaiah 43:1-13 (NRSVUE)
Isaiah was called to be a prophet in the year King Uzziah died, delivering messages in and around Jerusalem. He challenged the pride of leaders who favored the rich while ignoring the vulnerable as well their scheming against Assyria. Most of Isaiah’s work occurred during the expansion of the Assyrian Empire (745-704 BCE). In 735 BCE, Syria and the northern kingdom of Israel invaded Judah to force an alliance against Assyria, but that human scheme failed, destroying the northern kingdoms while leaving Judah as a vassal state.
However, the passage from Isaiah 43 (found within Chapters 40-66) was written roughly 150 years later. It’s a time after the same prideful arrogance of leadership ended in ruin by the Babylonians. Therefore, rather than condemning a prideful nation now twice over, these chapters offer consolation and share in their sorrow.
Several clues indicate that these chapters were written later by the school of Isaiah:
- The message is addressed to the exiled community rather than the residents of Jerusalem.
- The primary adversary has shifted from Assyria to Babylon.
- Jerusalem and the Temple are presumed to be already destroyed.
- Instead of rebuking the people for neglecting the poor or powerless, the text promises a new exodus out of captivity and a return to the promised land.
For us today, there are moments when we need to be humbled—especially when we overlook those in need or fail to stand up for the marginalized who lack justice. Yet, when hardship strikes, we need to hear words of hope, justice, and a return to God’s unconditional love. Isaiah teaches it isn’t our wisdom or power but God’s who brings about miraculous restoration.
Questions for Reflection:
- It’s so easy to be confident in one’s opinions and discount others, especially the poor in spirit (lacking education, resources, and emotional stability). In these situations we need God’s word through Isaiah to take us down a notch. When did you find yourself with such an attitude? How does God’s Grace counter our inclinations?
- In times of loss from fires, accidents, acts of nature, death and disease how does a word of understanding, hope, and care matter?
Prayer:
Almighty God, you challenge and support us when we need it. Let your Spirit fill our hearts and minds to be more open to your presence, gift of wholeness, and healing. Amen.
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