Isaiah 43:1-28

Isaiah: God controls the nations

God promises comfort to his people

Isaiah Chapter s 40 to 48

Norman Hillyer

Chapter 43

Chapter 42 reminded the people from Israel that they had totally neglected to obey God’s instructions. Their punishment was that they would be prisoners in Babylon. For many years they would be far from their own land.

• However, their miserable situation will now change.

God will rescue his people

v1 But now, people from Israel, listen to the *Lord’s words to you. He who created you says, ‘Do not be afraid of the future.’ He who formed you as a nation says, ‘I will defend you. I have called you by name. So you belong to me. v2 Whenever you cross deep waters, I shall be with you. Whenever you cross rivers, you will not drown. Whenever you go through fire, the flames will not burn you. The flames will not even hurt you. v3 Truly, I am the *Lord your God, the Holy God of Israel. It is I who saves you. I caused the nation called Egypt to let you go free. And I caused the nations called Cush and Seba to give you your liberty. v4 You are very precious to me and I love you. Therefore I place you above other nations. I consider your life to be more valuable than the life of other nations. v5 So do not be afraid. I am with you. I will bring back your people from the east. I will gather them from the west. v6 I will order the nations in the north to free you. And I will order nations in the south to let you go home. They must send back my sons and my daughters from the most distant parts of the earth. v7 They are my own people. They are called by my name. I created them and I formed them to bring me honour.’