Isaiah 43 is a powerful and comforting chapter in the Bible. Here's what it says in the NKJV (New King James Version):
**Isaiah 43:1-7**
1 But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, 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 through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk in the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flames scorch you.
3 For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel,
Your Saviour. I gave Egypt for your ransom,
Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you.
4 Since you were precious in My sight,
You have been honored, And I will give men in return for you.
5 Fear not, for you will not be put to shame;
Nor will your prayers be without effect."
**Isaiah 43:16-21**
16 Thus says the Lord:
"Render vengeance to me, and a recompense to my adversaries; Underneath was I found when they dug; And My own eyes saw their destruction.
17 For this is as the days of Noah to Me;
As I swore He would come for his people by His doing, so it shall not be with you!
18 For though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.
19 If you are willing and obedient,
You shall eat the good of the land;
20 But if you refuse and rebel,
You shall be devoured by the sword";
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
**Isaiah 43:22-28**
22 "As for Me, this is My covenant with them," says the Lord:
"My Spirit who is upon you, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams.
23 I will even make a road in the wilderness, And rivers in the desolate places;
I will plant the heavens with people, And cause them to lie down in their own ground.
24 And no one shall need fellow or neighbor,
For they shall be His children,
And He will be their God.
25 Endure, I say to you, as the eunuch, who keeps the royal bedchamber, and does not look on the king's beauty.
26 For your maker is your husband—The Lord of hosts is His name—and the Holy One of Israel is called your Redeemer He who formed you says:
This is the one;
Call her who wills to her husband
Between the two brethren He has made us,
He and she a covenant.
27 The God of all the earth; He will be esteemed.
28 Then it shall come to pass, when these things are passed over, that the man shall be drawn to the Lord for the treasures of this life and as for its remaining part, he shall possess it."
These verses are filled with comforting words from God, reminding us that we are precious in His sight, and that He will redeem us.
Isaiah 43 in the New Living Translation (NLT) is a powerful and comforting passage that speaks to God's love, care, and redemption. Here are some key verses and insights:
Verse 1-3: "But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, O Jacob, and formed you, O Israel: 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name—you are mine.' When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you walk through fire, you will not be scorched nor burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."
* These opening verses emphasize God's creative and redemptive power. He is the one who formed Israel (and by extension, all people) and has a personal connection with each individual.
* The passage starts with a call to trust in God, rather than fear, as He redeems and summons His people.
Verse 4-5: "You are precious and honored, and I love you. I will give people in exchange for you, and animals instead of you. Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; you shall be rebuilt; you shall be restored."
* Here, God affirms His love and honor for Israel (and by extension, all people). He is willing to make a sacrifice on their behalf, exchanging them for others.
* The promise of restoration and rebuilding emphasizes God's desire to redeem and restore His people.
Verse 6-7: "I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,' declares the Lord. 'These things I did for Israel; they shall not be done for anyone else.'
* God's redemptive actions are specifically directed towards Israel, highlighting His unique relationship with them.
* The promise of physical healing is a metaphor for spiritual restoration and redemption.
Verse 8-12: "But you, Israel, are unwary O my servant Jacob. Do not fear; I will help you. I have forged you like pottery on the wheels and shaped you in the darkness. I will bring credit to your fortune, though you are poor, though you are but now—no matter what your situation."
* God addresses His people as "Israel" and "My servant Jacob," emphasizing their identity and relationship with Him.
* The imagery of pottery being shaped on a wheel is a powerful metaphor for the process of spiritual formation and refinement.
* God's promise to bring credit to Israel's fortune, despite their current circumstances, speaks to His desire to redeem and prosper those who are poor in spirit.
Verse 13-15: "Even if your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; even if they are red like crimson, they will be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land—and you will have a long life."
* The vivid imagery of scarlet becoming snow and crimson becoming wool speaks to God's power to cleanse and purify His people.
* The conditional clause "if you are willing and obedient" emphasizes the importance of human response in the process of redemption.
Overall, Isaiah 43:1-15 in the NLT presents a powerful message of God's love, care, and redemption. It speaks to His desire to redeem and restore His people, despite their flaws and failures. The passage highlights God's creative and redemptive power, emphasizing His unique relationship with Israel (and by extension, all people).
A beautiful chapter in the Bible!
Isaiah 43 is a powerful passage that speaks to God's sovereignty, love, and redemption. Here are some key verses:
**Verse 1-7:** The chapter begins by describing God's creation of Israel and His special relationship with them. He asks why they forget Him who brought them forth from the womb.
**Verse 8-15:** God reminds Israel that He is their Redeemer, their Holy One, and the Creator of all things. He has called them by name, formed them in the womb, and caused them to walk in darkness (figuratively).
**Verse 16-21:** The Lord speaks about His relationship with Israel's ancestors, including Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He reminds them that He is their God and they are His people.
**Verse 22-28:** This section is often referred to as the "Song of Praise." It describes God's mighty deeds on behalf of Israel, including delivering them from slavery in Egypt and guiding them through the wilderness.
**Verse 29:** The chapter concludes with a call to faithfulness, urging Israel (and by extension, all people) to trust in the Lord and not in idols or human strength.
Some key themes in Isaiah 43 include:
1. **God's sovereignty**: He is the Creator of all things, and His plans are always unfolding.
2. **Redemption**: God is our Redeemer, and He has a special relationship with His people (Israel).
3. **Forgiveness**: The Lord is willing to forgive Israel for their sins and restore their relationship with Him.
4. **Faithfulness**: Trusting in the Lord and not in human strength or idols is essential.
This chapter can be seen as a beautiful expression of God's love, mercy, and redemption. It encourages us to trust in His sovereignty and faithfulness, even in the midst of chaos or uncertainty.
Isaiah 43:1 is a powerful verse that speaks to God's relationship with His people. The verse reads:
"But now, thus says the Lord who formed you from the womb, 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.'"
This verse is part of Isaiah's prophecy about Israel's exile and restoration. In it, God reminds His people that He has a personal connection with them, having formed them in their mother's womb (Psalm 139:13). God emphasizes His authority over them, stating that He has "summoned" or called them by name.
The main message of this verse is one of reassurance and redemption. Despite Israel's failures and current circumstances, God says, "Fear not." This phrase is a common refrain throughout the Bible, often used to comfort God's people in times of trouble (e.g., Psalm 23:4; Isaiah 41:10).
God's declaration that He has "redeemed" His people (Isaiah 43:1) emphasizes His role as Savior. Redemption was a concept closely tied to Israel's history, as they had been redeemed from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 15:13-14). In this context, God is reminding His people that He has delivered them from their enemies and will continue to do so.
The verse concludes with the powerful statement, "You are mine." This declaration underscores God's sovereignty and ownership of His people. It is a reminder that they belong to Him, having been chosen before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4-5).
In summary, Isaiah 43:1 presents God as the Redeemer and Savior of His people. The verse emphasizes His personal connection with them, His authority over them, and His commitment to deliver them from their enemies. It is a powerful message of hope and redemption that speaks to all who trust in God's goodness and sovereignty.
Isaiah 43:2 is another powerful verse that speaks to the theme of God's care and redemption. It says:
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you walk through the fires, I will be the one who refines it like silver. You will not be burned by the flames nor scorched by the heat."
In this verse, God is promising to accompany His people as they face various trials and challenges. The "waters" and "fires" are likely symbolic of the difficulties that Israel faced in its history, such as the Red Sea and the Babylonian exile.
God's promise is one of presence and protection. He will be with them, even in the midst of danger and uncertainty. His presence will be a source of comfort and strength, just as silver is refined and purified through the process of fire.
This verse speaks to the idea that God is not distant or detached from our struggles. Rather, He is actively involved in our lives, working to refine us and purify us like silver. It's a powerful reminder that God is always with us, even when things seem darkest.
Isaiah 43 is a powerful and comforting chapter in the Bible that speaks to God's relationship with His people. Here are some key takeaways:
**The Context**: The chapter begins by describing God's mighty works, including the creation of the universe (Isaiah 43:1-3). However, it also highlights humanity's rebellion against God, leading to their sin and separation from Him (Isaiah 43:22).
**God's Call to Israel**: Verse 6 says, "I will say to the prisoners, 'Come forth,' and to those who are in darkness, 'Be light.' I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols." God is calling His people, Israel, to return to Him, acknowledging His sovereignty and uniqueness.
**God's Forgiveness**: Isaiah 43:25 says, "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, like the multitude of the wicked, and will not remember your sins."
Here are some key points about God's forgiveness:
* God is willing to forgive our sins (Isaiah 43:25).
* Forgiveness involves erasing the memory of our transgressions (Isaiah 43:25).
* God's forgiveness is available to all, regardless of their past (Isaiah 43:26).
**God's Redemption**: Isaiah 43:18-19 says, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."
Here are some key points about God's redemption:
* God is willing to make a new start with us (Isaiah 43:18-19).
* He desires to redeem our past and bring us into a brighter future.
* God is capable of transforming desolate situations into opportunities for growth and renewal.
**The Promise of Restoration**: Isaiah 43:16-17 says, "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 will there be one formed after me."
Here are some key points about God's promise of restoration:
* God promises to restore His people and bring them back to Himself (Isaiah 43:16-17).
* This restoration is based on God's sovereignty and uniqueness.
* The result of this restoration is that we can know, believe in, and understand God as He truly is.
**Application**: Isaiah 43 encourages us to:
* Trust in God's sovereignty and forgiveness.
* Leave our past behind and look forward to a new future with Him.
* Recognize God's redemption power in our lives.
* Believe in His promises of restoration and relationship.
Overall, Isaiah 43 reminds us that God is a God of second chances, who desires to redeem and restore us.
Another great reference!
Isaiah 43:18-19 says:
"Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth. Not to proclaim the ancient things again."
In this passage, God is speaking through Isaiah to His people, Israel. He's telling them that He wants to make a fresh start with them, not dwelling on past mistakes or failures. This is often seen as a message of hope and redemption.
In this context, "former things" refers to the history of Israel's disobedience and rebellion against God. By saying "do not remember," God is essentially telling His people to let go of their guilt, shame, and regret for their past actions.
The second part of the verse, "Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth. Not to proclaim the ancient things again," is even more powerful. It's as if God is saying, "Forget what happened in the past. Instead, focus on My new plans and purposes for you. I'm going to create something new, something better, and it will be a fresh start."
This passage has been interpreted in many ways throughout history, but some common themes include:
1. Redemption: God's offer of a new start is an invitation to leave the past behind and move forward with Him.
2. Renewal: The idea of "doing a new thing" suggests that God wants to revive and renew His relationship with Israel (and by extension, with all people).
3. Hope: This passage offers hope for those who feel stuck or trapped in their circumstances. It reminds us that God is always working towards something new and good.
What do you think this passage says about God's nature and character?
Isaiah 43 is a powerful chapter in the Bible that speaks to God's relationship with His people and His plan of salvation. Here are some key verses from Isaiah 43:
**God's Sovereignty**
* "But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, and formed you, Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.'" (Isaiah 43:1)
* "All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord. All the families of the nations will worship him, bearing in mind the way he is worthy, that all who are not vigilant may take refuge in him." (Isaiah 43:5-7)
**God's Plan of Salvation**
* "I have sworn with my lips to keep your name and your words forever. I am yours. See how I have taken up the cause of your people, Israel; like a potter shaping clay, I have made you." (Isaiah 43:22-23)
* "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you walk through fire, you will not be scorched nor burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." (Isaiah 43:2-3)
**God's Relationship with His People**
* "But now, all you who are thirsty, come to the water! Whoever believes in me may have life-giving water free." (Isaiah 43:18)
* "As a shepherd tends his scattered flock when he calls them together, so will I call upon your name and gather you from where there is no path or foothold. And those who are left to inherit the land will come to you, like streams that flow, to Zion." (Isaiah 43:16-17)
**God's Justice**
* "But now be prepared, Zion! For I am coming! I will give her commands concerning her and tell her what is right. Her judges will always bow down before me; the Lord's law they will learn from my words." (Isaiah 43:28-29)
These verses highlight God's sovereignty, plan of salvation, relationship with His people, and justice. They are a powerful reminder of God's love and redemption for those who seek Him.