The Book of the prophet Isaiah is about redemption. God’s purpose is to receive His people back. It is God’s plea for His people to return to Him. The only God of Israel. In this book, God is comforting His people. He tells them they have nothing to fear for He is with them even in His discipline for their transgressions. He promises that He will not be angry with them forever but is offering them a reconciliation even to the point of giving others as thy ransom. True believers know this to be the truth.
We are all God’s people and God’s word is the truth by which we live. That is why a Bible commentary on Isaiah Chapter 43 in four parts will break down for the people of God the depth that God will go to redeem His people.
Therefore we are called to trust and believe in the redemption of the blood of Christ Jesus. God had a plan for his new creation in Christ. Becoming a new creature is spelled out throughout the entire Bible. Isaiah is made of 66 chapters like the Bible. It is sometimes considered the Little Bible within the Bible. A Bible commentary on Isaiah Chapter 43 in four parts demonstrates God’s desire to be reconciled with Man.
In the beginning, Mankind was created to have dominion over the beasts of the field, large and small cattle, birds of the air, and creatures in the water. However, mankind gave up their dominion over all creation to the devil when Adam and Eve disobeyed God. God has wanted this reconciliation since that time. Let’s unpack Isaiah Chapter 43 in four parts.
Part 1 – God’s Love
The chapter begins with the word “but ” because it is strongly connected with Chapter 42, which describes in their blindness and deafness to God’s love how lost Israel was. These blind and deaf people could not see or hear of their sins against God. God’s demonstrated His love for his people extends from the deliverance from Egyptian bondage to the parting of the Red Sea, and an abundance of blessings recorded in the Old Testament. Hence, God sees and hears His people and wants them to fear nothing for He has redeemed them from their sins.
Our God is so big that only He can be the solution to the problem that we created. No matter what trouble we find ourselves in he is always with us walking through fires and deep waters of the trials and tribulations we experience in our day-to-day life. We are never alone for in God’s sight we are precious in His eyes. God loved Israel and was willing to give other men in return for Israel. All these people in exchange for the life of Israel. That is how deep His love is for His chosen people. The God who created us wants to love us unconditionally. Trust in the love of God because it is everlasting.
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 ESV
Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. Isaiah 26:4 ESV
Isaiah Chapter 43: 1-7
“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.
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.
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.”” Isaiah 43:1-7 ESV
Part 2 – God’s Witness
The people of Israel were called to be witnesses to God. Their main purpose was to be set apart from other nations and to tell them about the Lord thy God. They were called to glorify and worship thy name. Israel was to share with the world how God had rescued and given them the promised land. Israel was to proclaim to the world about God’s presence and God’s purposes for the world. They were to tell the world about God’s glory, mercy, and grace as a servant of God.
But Israel allowed itself to be corrupted by the world. They began to worship false Gods and Idols. However, God is sovereign over all. He placed them in exile and only God could redeem them. Only God could restore all that they had lost. Ultimately, the blood of his son will redeem the world from the sins of the world. The deliverance of Israel from Egypt foreshadowed mankind’s deliverance from satan. Mankind gave up their dominion of the world Jesus would correct this and become the King of kings and Lord of lords.
There are no other gods besides God. No one existed before God. He is our Lord and our Savior. God is the creator of the world and all things in it. As Christians, we are called to witness this to others. We are to share our testimonies of how we were once lost but now are found. We must also share the good news of Christ.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 ESV
On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. Revelation 19:16 ESV
Isaiah Chapter 43: 8-13
“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. “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?”” Isaiah 43:8-13 ESV
Part 3 – Redeemer
God is our redeemer. Never doubt He can make a way when there seems to be no way out of our predicament. Israel was living amid severe punishment and God wanted to redeem them. In these passages, God promises to send a redeemer to release His people from captivity. God can use any nation or any army for his purposes.
God is in control of every Nation. Therefore, God can and will direct them to free Israel. God is the Holy One, the creator of Israel, and their King. He can make a way via sea and land with every army. And even though this is possible for God, He wants us to know that He will do something new to redeem us.
God was speaking of the Lord Jesus as the new thing. He would make a way in the wilderness amongst the beasts. Jesus would provide living water to God’s people, Israel. He was pointing to salvation from the ultimate sacrifice leading to eternal life with God. Praising God is key!
He makes nations great, and he destroys them; he enlarges nations, and leads them away. Job 12:23 ESV
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” John 4:10 ESV
Isaiah Chapter 43: 14-21
“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: “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.” Isaiah 43:14-21 ESV
Part 4 – Transgressions
This is the final part. Isaiah writes about how Israel grew weary of God. In all their success they forgot about God. They stopped worshipping God and sought other Gods of their making. God did not burden them but they burdened God with their sins. Israel wearied God with their iniquities. From the time of the first Father Adam, mankind has sinned and the leaders encouraged the people to sin against God. However, God promised to blot out their transgression and to forget them. He even offered to hear their arguments for their sin.
God was not unreasonable. In fact, He called on His people to argue and reason with Him. Job understood this and he requested to speak with God about his circumstances. If Israel had chosen to do as Job, they would have understood the depth of His love for them. Israel did not. Consequently, God would only forgive them if they returned to Him. If not, He would bring the destruction to Israel that He promised.
But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God. Job 13:3 ESV
if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV
Isaiah Chapter 43: 22-28
““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.” Isaiah 43:22-28 ESV
Recap of A Bible Commentary On Isaiah Chapter 43 In Four Parts
The book of Isaiah is about God’s hatred of sin because it leads to separation from those He loves. In this book, God pleads with His people to reject their false Gods. He sent prophet after prophet to speak to deaf and blind people. God offered comfort and protection to His people. He continued to promise to send a savior for the only way to our salvation. I believe that the savior is Jesus.
After the fall when Adam the First Father sinned, Israel eventually allowed a pleasing object made by their hands to cause them to sin too. Believing in hand-made idols instead of one true God was the sin that caused God to send his people into exile. However, God forgave His people and welcomed them back at the end of the exile. They just had to turn from their sin and believe in the only true God again. Thereby, letting go of their anxious fears and accepting the love and protection of God.
We must also be careful not to fall into sin. We must guard our hearts and minds from the tricks and temptations of the devil. He is the father of lies and wishes only to harm us. His sole purpose is to destroy what God has created. From the beginning, in the days of Eden, Satan has weaved his lies to destroy mankind. However, God wins this battle in the end.
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44 ESV
Isaiah Chapter 43 Part 1
In Chapter 43: 1-7, God makes a case for Israel to return to Him. He promised to be with them through their trials. God offered to ransom other people for them. He told them not to fear He would bring them all back anyone who called on His name. God said all this because He loved Israel. They just had to call on His name. This included the blind and the deaf to His promises.
Iasiah 43:2 is a beautiful declaration of God’s faithfulness. This promise of protection because He is our God speaks volumes. He attests to the fact that we are not alone. We have a God with us when we are experiencing trials and tribulations. God is always with us, sometimes walking beside us and sometimes carrying us. This is a promise that He has made to us.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 ESV
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). Matthew 1:23 ESV
Isaiah Chapter 43 Part 2
In Chapter 43: 8-13 Those unwilling to hear God’s promises and see all God had done for them, God asked that they present their witnesses to prove they were right. God will present His chosen witnesses to share that He is the Savior for Israel. He alone can save and God’s people will declare this as truth. God is who He says He is and no one can dispute this.
This is The Great Commission from Jesus. We must go out and be a witness to God. Christians are His ears and His eyes. We should not be ashamed of declaring what God has done for His people through the death of Jesus Christ. We have to share to save one more for Jesus. Let God work through you to make this happen. Christians should let their words and deeds proclaim God’s love and faithfulness. Let this love shine in everything we do for the Lord. Remember, you are working for the Lord and will be rewarded with the riches of God. Today, begin to store up your treasure in heaven.
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 2 Timothy 1:8 ESV
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Matthew 6:19-20 ESV
Isaiah Chapter 43 Part 3
In Chapter 43:14-21, the prophet Isaiah shares the Lord is the redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, the Creator of Israel, and their King. This is everything that Jesus proclaims about Himself in Revelation Chapters 1 to 5. He is the one who can make a way for us in times of trouble. This has been true for me time and time again. We have to trust that God can send help in unexpected ways. Hence, they are a blessing amid a sinful world.
God asks the people of Israel to forget the past and focus on the new thing He is doing. To look toward the future that would be in Jesus. Jesus will provide the water of life. He came in truth by water, spirit, and blood. Jesus was baptized with water and the Holy Spirit. His blood fulfilled God’s plan for our salvation. In the New Testament, Jesus also offered living water and will wipe away our every tear of sorrow. This is the hope that we have in Jesus. This is our future and our eternity. Jesus takes away the sins of the world!
This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 1 John 5:6 ESV
For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:17 ESV
A Bible Commentary On Isaiah Chapter 43 Part 4
Finally, in Chapter 43: 22-28, this plea from God illustrates the case he had with Israel. This is the case He has against all of us today. We continue to burden Him with our sins. Faithfully He offers forgiveness for our true repentance. Throughout most of the Old Testament God pleads with His people to turn from their sins and return to Him. He has offered time and time again to blot out our sins. He will remember them no more. However, He will allow us to argue the case for our transgression.
Like Job and Jonah who questioned God, we can argue with Him. He allowed them to pled their case. We too can argue our case. However, our God will encourage us to bring remembrance of the promises He has made to us. Promises of life in abundance through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am blessed and grateful to have a God who hears my prayers and provides words of comfort in my time of need. Sometimes, I may argue with God regarding my circumstances but I know God has a plan for me. I love reading the Word which helps me to get to a place of reconciliation with God.
However, sin separates us from God. God wants a relationship with us. It is written in the Bible on every page how faithful God has been. It is up to us to choose salvation. Praise God!
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Jeremiah 31:3 ESV
Final Note
I hope you found abundant comfort in A Bible Commentary On Isaiah Chapter 43 in four parts. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we move from judgment to grace. Hence, God’s grace is not dependent on Mankind but comes directly from God. It is by His wound we are saved.
This is the kind of love we can trust. Can you trust this kind of love that God tells you about in every Word of the Bible? Will you call on His name? Do you fear this kind of love? Can you trust in the peace that comes from Jesus’ wounds? A love that is forever, that love is never ending no matter what you have done, are doing, or will do.
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 NIV