Isaiah 43
BSB1 Now this is what the LORD says— He who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine! 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place. 4 Because you are precious and honored in My sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you and nations in place of your life. 5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring 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 called by My name and created for My glory, whom I have indeed formed and made." 8 Bring out a people who have eyes but are blind, and who have ears but are deaf. 9 All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Who among them can declare this, and proclaim to us the former things? Let them present their witnesses to vindicate them, 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 consider and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me no god was formed, and after Me none will come. 11 I, yes I, am the LORD, and there is no Savior but Me. 12 I alone decreed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. So you are My witnesses,” declares the LORD, “that I am God. 13 Even from eternity I am He, and none can deliver out of My hand. When I act, who can reverse it?" 14 Thus says the LORD your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “For your sake, I will send to Babylon and bring them all as fugitives, even the Chaldeans, in the ships in which they rejoice. 15 I am the LORD, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, and your King." 16 Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea and a path through the surging waters, 17 who brings out the chariots and horses, the armies and warriors together, to lie down, never to rise again; to be extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: 18 “Do not call to mind the former things; pay no attention to the things of old. 19 Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert. 20 The beasts of the field will honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I provide water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My chosen people. 21 The people I formed for Myself will declare My praise. 22 But you have not called on Me, O Jacob, because you have grown weary of Me, O Israel. 23 You have not brought Me sheep for burnt offerings, nor honored Me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with offerings, nor wearied you with frankincense. 24 You have not bought Me sweet cane with your silver, nor satisfied Me with the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened Me with your sins; you have wearied Me with your iniquities. 25 I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake and remembers your sins no more. 26 Remind Me, let us argue the matter together. State your case, so that you may be vindicated. 27 Your first father sinned, and your spokesmen rebelled against Me. 28 So I will disgrace the princes of your sanctuary, and I will devote Jacob to destruction and Israel to reproach."
Study Notes — Isaiah 43
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Isaiah 43
- Themes from Isaiah 43
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Isaiah 43
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
Isaiah 43 begins with God's declaration of His people's identity and value, saying, 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine' (Isaiah 43:1). He reminds them of their creation and formation by Him (Isaiah 43:1, 7), promising to be with them through all trials, including passing through waters and fires (Isaiah 43:2). God announces His intention to gather all nations and tongues so that they may see His glory (Isaiah 43:9), emphasizing that He is the only true God, who has declared the future and will accomplish it (Isaiah 43:10-13). The chapter concludes with God's promise to create a new thing, making a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, for the sake of His people (Isaiah 43:19-21), highlighting His redemption and care for those who have forgotten Him.
Context for the Chapter
Isaiah 43 is part of the second major section of the book of Isaiah, which focuses on God's redemption of Israel. This chapter fits within the broader narrative of God's judgment and restoration of His people, serving as a message of hope during a time of exile and despair. The promises and declarations made in this chapter are rooted in God's covenant with Israel and look forward to the ultimate redemption that would be fulfilled in Christ.
Heart Application
This chapter encourages believers to trust in God's loving care and redemption. It reminds us of our value and identity as God's people, created and formed by Him. As we face trials and uncertainties, we can take comfort in God's promise to be with us, to create a new thing, and to bring us through the wilderness into a place of abundance and joy.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
Isaiah 43 tells us about God's love for His people. He reminds them that He created them and has redeemed them, calling them by name. God promises to be with them in hard times and to make a way for them even in the desert. This chapter helps us understand that we are valuable to God and that He will always take care of us, as seen in Isaiah 43:1-2.
Voices from the Church
“The Lord knows those who are His, and He will not lose them. His people are engraved on the palms of His hands, and thus they are always before Him.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“God's knowledge of us is not merely speculative, but effective; for He knows us that He may care for us, and provide for our salvation.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- Introduction: God's Creation and Redemption of Israel (Isaiah 43:1-7) — God reminds Israel of their creation and formation by Him, and His redemption of them, calling them by name and promising not to forget them.
- Witnesses to God's Glory (Isaiah 43:8-13) — The nations are summoned as witnesses to God's glory, and the futility of idol worship is exposed as God declares His uniqueness and power.
- God's Redemption and Creation (Isaiah 43:14-21) — God announces His plan to redeem His people from Babylon and to create a new way in the wilderness, bringing water to the desert, for the sake of His people.
- Israel's Forgetfulness and God's Faithfulness (Isaiah 43:22-28) — Despite Israel's forgetfulness of God, He remains faithful, reminding them of their past sins and His forgiveness, and calling them to return to Him.
- Conclusion: The Restoration of Israel (Isaiah 43:22-28) — The chapter concludes with a call to Israel to remember God's works and to return to Him, emphasizing God's desire to restore and redeem His people.
Core Doctrines
- Sovereignty of God
- Isaiah 43 emphasizes God's sovereignty over all nations and His ability to declare the end from the beginning, highlighting His power and control over history.
- Redemption
- The chapter is a powerful expression of God's redemption of His people, emphasizing His love, care, and commitment to delivering them from bondage.
- Creation
- God's role as the creator of all things is underscored, including His creation and formation of Israel, highlighting His intimate knowledge and care for His people.
- Providence
- The promise of a new thing and God's ability to make a way in the wilderness demonstrate His providential care for His people, even in the most desolate situations.
Lessons from Isaiah 43
- God's Personal Care — Isaiah 43 teaches us that God knows each of us by name and cares for us personally, as seen in Isaiah 43:1.
- The Power of Redemption — The chapter emphasizes God's power to redeem His people from any situation, highlighting His love and commitment to them.
- The Importance of Remembering God's Works — Isaiah 43:22-28 reminds us of the importance of remembering God's works and trusting in His faithfulness, even when we forget Him.
- God's Ability to Create and Restore — The promise of a new thing in Isaiah 43:19 demonstrates God's ability to create and restore, even in the most desolate situations.
- The Call to Return to God — The chapter concludes with a call to return to God, emphasizing the importance of seeking Him and trusting in His redemption and care.
Themes from Isaiah 43
- Redemption — Isaiah 43 is a powerful expression of God's redemption of His people, emphasizing His love, care, and commitment to delivering them from bondage.
- Creation and Formation — The chapter highlights God's role as the creator and former of His people, underscoring His intimate knowledge and care for them.
- God's Sovereignty — Isaiah 43 emphasizes God's sovereignty over all nations and His ability to declare the end from the beginning, highlighting His power and control over history.
- The Futility of Idol Worship — The contrast between God and idols in Isaiah 43:10-13 exposes the futility of idol worship, emphasizing the uniqueness and power of the true God.
- The Promise of a New Thing — The chapter concludes with the promise of a new thing, demonstrating God's ability to create and restore, even in the most desolate situations.
Questions for Meditation
- What does it mean to you to be 'called by name' by God, as stated in Isaiah 43:1?
- How do the promises of God in Isaiah 43:2 give you comfort in times of trial?
- In what ways do you see God creating a 'new thing' in your life or in the world around you, as mentioned in Isaiah 43:19?
- What does the contrast between God and idols in Isaiah 43:10-13 teach you about the nature of true worship?
- How can you apply the message of Isaiah 43 to your life, trusting in God's redemption and care?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. Introduction: God's Creation and Redemption of Israel (Isaiah 43:1-7)
| Isaiah 43:1 | God reminds Israel of their creation and formation by Him, and His redemption of them, calling them by name and promising not to forget them. |
| Isaiah 43:2 | He promises to be with them in times of trial, including passing through waters and fires, emphasizing His care and protection. |
| Isaiah 43:3 | God declares that He will give Egypt, Cush, and Seba as a ransom for them, underscoring His commitment to their redemption and His power over the nations. |
| Isaiah 43:4 | He values them because they are precious and honored in His sight, and He will give people in exchange for their lives, emphasizing His love and esteem for them. |
| Isaiah 43:5 | God promises not to be afraid or dismayed, for He will be with them, and He will bring their offspring from the east and gather them from the west, highlighting His sovereign control over their destiny. |
| Isaiah 43:6 | He will say to the north, 'Give them up!' and to the south, 'Do not hold them back!' and will bring His sons from afar and His daughters from the ends of the earth, emphasizing His power to gather His people from all directions. |
| Isaiah 43:7 | Everyone who is called by His name, whom He created for His glory, He formed and made, underscoring God's role as the creator and former of His people. |
2. Witnesses to God's Glory (Isaiah 43:8-13)
| Isaiah 43:8 | The nations are summoned as witnesses to God's glory, and the blind and deaf idols are exposed for their inability to see or hear. |
| Isaiah 43:9 | The nations are gathered to see God's glory, and they are asked who among them has declared the past or foretold the future, emphasizing God's uniqueness and power. |
| Isaiah 43:10 | God declares that He is the only true God, who has declared the end from the beginning, and there is no other God besides Him, highlighting His sovereignty over all things. |
| Isaiah 43:11 | He is the only Savior, and there is no other, emphasizing His exclusive role as the redeemer of His people. |
| Isaiah 43:12 | God has declared and saved and proclaimed, and there is no foreign god among them, underscoring His faithfulness and commitment to His people. |
| Isaiah 43:13 | From eternity, God is He, and no one can deliver from His hand, emphasizing His eternal nature and sovereign power. |
3. God's Redemption and Creation (Isaiah 43:14-21)
| Isaiah 43:14 | God announces His plan to redeem His people from Babylon, declaring that He will send to Babylon and winnow the Chaldeans, emphasizing His power to deliver His people from bondage. |
| Isaiah 43:15 | He is the LORD, their Holy One, the Creator of Israel, and their King, highlighting His role as the creator and ruler of His people. |
| Isaiah 43:16 | God makes a way in the sea and a path in the mighty waters, and He brings out the chariot and the horse, the army and the warrior, emphasizing His power to create and restore. |
| Isaiah 43:17 | They lie down, they do not rise; they are extinguished, quenched like a wick, underscoring the futility of trusting in human strength or idols. |
| Isaiah 43:18 | God calls His people to forget the former things and not to dwell on the past, emphasizing the importance of looking forward to His new work. |
| Isaiah 43:19 | He will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, emphasizing His ability to create and restore, even in the most desolate situations. |
| Isaiah 43:20 | The beasts of the field will honor Him, the jackals and the ostriches, for He gives water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, highlighting God's care for all creation. |
| Isaiah 43:21 | The people He formed for Himself will declare His praise, emphasizing God's purpose in creating and redeeming His people for His glory. |
4. Israel's Forgetfulness and God's Faithfulness (Isaiah 43:22-28)
| Isaiah 43:22 | Yet you have not called upon Me, O Jacob, for you have been weary of Me, O Israel, emphasizing Israel's forgetfulness and neglect of God. |
| Isaiah 43:23 | You have not brought Me your sheep for burnt offerings or honored Me with your sacrifices, underscoring Israel's failure to worship and honor God as they should. |
| Isaiah 43:24 | You have not bought Me sweet cane with money or satisfied Me with the fat of your sacrifices, highlighting Israel's lack of genuine worship and devotion. |
| Isaiah 43:25 | I, I am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins, emphasizing God's faithfulness and forgiveness despite Israel's sin. |
| Isaiah 43:26 | Remind Me of your case, let us argue your case together; you, state your grounds, that you may be proved right, highlighting God's desire for His people to return to Him and argue their case before Him. |
| Isaiah 43:27 | Your first father sinned, and your mediators transgressed against Me, underscoring the historical pattern of sin and rebellion among God's people. |
| Isaiah 43:28 | Therefore I will profane the princes of the sanctuary, and I will consign Jacob to destruction and Israel to revilement, emphasizing the consequences of sin and the need for repentance and return to God. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main theme of Isaiah 43?
The main theme of Isaiah 43 is God's redemption of His people, emphasizing His love, care, and commitment to delivering them from bondage, as seen in Isaiah 43:1-7 and Isaiah 43:14-21.
How does Isaiah 43 relate to the rest of the book of Isaiah?
Isaiah 43 is part of the second major section of the book of Isaiah, which focuses on God's redemption of Israel. It serves as a message of hope during a time of exile and despair, emphasizing God's sovereignty, redemption, and care for His people.
What does the promise of a 'new thing' in Isaiah 43:19 mean?
The promise of a 'new thing' in Isaiah 43:19 demonstrates God's ability to create and restore, even in the most desolate situations. It symbolizes His power to bring forth life and hope in the midst of darkness and despair, as seen in the creation of a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 43:1 → Psalm 139:13-16 | Both passages emphasize God's intimate knowledge and care for His people, highlighting His role as their creator and redeemer. |
| 2 | Isaiah 43:2 → Daniel 3:25 | Both passages describe God's presence and protection in times of trial, emphasizing His power to deliver His people from fire and water. |
| 3 | Isaiah 43:10 → Revelation 1:8 | Both passages declare God's uniqueness and power, emphasizing His role as the only true God and the beginning and the end. |
| 4 | Isaiah 43:11 → Isaiah 45:21 | Both passages emphasize God's sovereignty and power, highlighting His role as the only Savior and the one who declares the end from the beginning. |
| 5 | Isaiah 43:14 → Jeremiah 31:11 | Both passages describe God's plan to redeem His people from bondage, emphasizing His power to deliver them from the nations and to bring them back to their own land. |
| 6 | Isaiah 43:16 → Both passages describe God's power to create a way in the sea and to bring His people through the waters, emphasizing His care and deliverance. | Isaiah 51:10 |
| 7 | Isaiah 43:19 → Isaiah 35:1-10 | Both passages describe God's ability to create and restore, even in the most desolate situations, emphasizing His power to bring forth life and hope in the wilderness. |
| 8 | Isaiah 43:21 → Psalm 102:18 | Both passages emphasize God's purpose in creating and redeeming His people for His glory, highlighting His desire for their praise and worship. |
| 9 | Isaiah 43:25 → Hebrews 8:12 | Both passages emphasize God's faithfulness and forgiveness, highlighting His desire to blot out transgressions and to remember sins no more. |
| 10 | Isaiah 43:28 → Romans 11:26 | Both passages describe the consequences of sin and the need for repentance and return to God, emphasizing His desire to redeem and restore His people. |
Sermons on Isaiah 43
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Hebrews) 1-Overview-2 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher addresses the feeling of God's hiddenness and the darkness that comes when God withdraws his favor. He emphasizes the need for God's truth to set us fr |
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(The Glory of God) in Motivation by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of preaching about God's glory rather than focusing on principles and rules. He criticizes the tendency of pastors to manipula |
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Suffering and Glory by David Jeremiah | In this sermon, the speaker recounts the story of a man named Joseph who faced severe persecution for sharing his faith in Jesus. Despite being beaten and left to die multiple time |
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(Belarus) God Has Risen to Defend His Name by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes God's promises of provision and protection for his people. He highlights that God has promised that his people will never have to beg for br |
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Four Wonderful Discoveries by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the providence of God and how He prepares and guides His people. He emphasizes that if God has led someone to a particular church or ministry, |
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The Worms Shall Crawl Out of Their Holes by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the loss of trust and confidence in various institutions, including the judicial system, school system, and even marriage. He highlights the p |
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Through Jordan by William Booth | William Booth emphasizes the challenges faced in life, comparing them to running with footmen and contending with the swelling of Jordan, symbolizing trials and tribulations. He en |
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Alas for Us, if Though Wert All, and Nought Beyond, O Earth by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the deep and indescribable joy experienced by the heavenly family. He contemplates the significance of the star of Jacob and how all other |
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(Reformation Within Protestantism): Faith in Practice by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that when God speaks, His words have multiple applications and are true for anyone who believes them. He asserts that nothing in history, ph |
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Death & Resurrection by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that the central message of the New Testament is about Jesus Christ. The focus is on his crucifixion and resurrection, which is highlighted i |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Isaiah 43
Isaiah 43 is a chapter of comfort and redemption, where God speaks directly to His people, reminding them of His creation and formation of them, and His power to deliver them from all troubles. The chapter emphasizes God's sovereignty over all nations and His ability to declare the end from the beginning, highlighting His power and control over history. It also contrasts the true God with idols, exposing the futility of idol worship and emphasizing the uniqueness and power of the true God. The promise of a new thing in Isaiah 43:19 demonstrates God's ability to create and restore, even in the most desolate situations, symbolizing His power to bring forth life and hope in the midst of darkness and despair. Through this chapter, God calls His people to trust in Him, to remember His works, and to return to Him, emphasizing His desire for their praise, worship, and devotion. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
God's Personal Knowledge
God addresses His people by name, indicating a deep, personal relationship. This emphasizes the intimate and loving nature of God's interaction with His creation, as seen in Isaiah 43:1.
The Use of Creation Imagery
The chapter employs imagery of creation and formation to describe God's relationship with Israel, underscoring His role as the creator and sustainer of all life, as mentioned in Isaiah 43:1 and 7.
The Contrast Between God and Idols
Isaiah 43:10-13 contrasts the true God, who declares the end from the beginning, with idols, which cannot predict the future. This highlights God's sovereignty and the futility of idol worship.