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Scott's Reference Library
Isaiah 43:1 through Isaiah 43:25 (NIV)
1 But now, this is what the LORD says—
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
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 stead.
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give men in exchange for you,
and people in exchange for your life.
5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children 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 who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”
8 Lead out those who have eyes but are blind,
who have ears but are deaf.
9 All the nations gather together
and the peoples assemble.
Which of them foretold this
and proclaimed to us the former things?
Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right,
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 know and believe me
and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
nor will there be one after me.
11 I, even I, am the LORD,
and apart from me there is no savior.
12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—
I, and not some foreign god among you.
You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “that I am God.
13 Yes, and from ancient days I am he.
No one can deliver out of my hand.
When I act, who can reverse it?”
14 This is what the LORD says—
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“For your sake I will send to Babylon
and bring down as fugitives all the Babylonians,
in the ships in which they took pride.
15 I am the LORD, your Holy One,
Israel’s Creator, your King.”
16 This is what the LORD says—
he who made a way through the sea,
a path through the mighty waters,
17 who drew out the chariots and horses,
the army and reinforcements together,
and they lay there, never to rise again,
extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:
18 “Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
19 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.
20 The wild animals honor me,
the jackals and the owls,
because I provide water in the desert
and streams in the wasteland,
to give drink to my people, my chosen,
21 the people I formed for myself
that they may proclaim my praise.
22 “Yet you have not called upon me, O Jacob,
you have not wearied yourselves for 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 grain offerings
nor wearied you with demands for incense.
24 You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me,
or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices.
But you have burdened me with your sins
and wearied me with your offenses.
25 “I, even I, am he who blots out
your transgressions, for my own sake,
and remembers your sins no more.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 14-21
The deliverance from Babylon is foretold, but there is reference to greater
events. The redemption of sinners by Christ, the conversion of the Gentiles, and
the recall of the Jews, are described. All that is to be done to rescue sinners,
and to bring the believer to glory, is little, compared with that wondrous work
of love, the redemption of man.
VERSES 22-28
Those who neglect to call upon God, are weary of him. The Master tired not the
servants with his commands, but they tired him with disobedience. What were the
riches of God’s mercy toward them? I, even I, am he who yet blotteth out thy
transgressions. This encourages us to repent, because there is forgiveness with
God, and shows the freeness of Divine mercy. When God forgives, he forgets. It
is not for any thing in us, but for his mercies’ sake, his promise’ sake;
especially for his Son’s sake. He is pleased to reckon it his honour. Would man
justify himself before God? The attempt is desperate: our first father broke the
covenant, and we all have copied his example. We have no reason to expect
pardon, except we seek it by faith in Christ; and that is always attended by
true repentance, and followed by newness of life, by hatred of sin, and love to
God. Let us then put him in remembrance of the promises he has made to the
penitent, and the satisfaction his Son has made for them. Plead these with him
in wrestling for pardon; and declare these things, that thou mayest be justified
freely by his grace. This is the only way, and it is a sure way to peace.
See Isaiah 30:18-26
See Micah 4:1-7
See Healing