Isaiah 43 (v1-2)

The words in v1 are some of the most encouraging and oft-quoted words by Christians when they go through hard trials.  What kind of God can be trusted to walk with us through the fire?  Why has He allowed His people to experience these difficulties?  To answer these questions we must understand the context.

From the opening words of encouragement (v1-7) we see that God is still comforting His people with the promise of restoration after having “received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins” (Isa. 40:1-2).  The nations in v3 are reminders of past events when God delivered Israel.  He now promises to regather them “from the east … west … north … south … from afar … from the ends of the earth” (v5-6).  He can be trusted because He is their Creator.  He created Israel for His glory (v1, 7).  (Perhaps this great regathering has not yet happened; it seems to be a greater event than the return from Babylonian exile.)

How will they display His glory?  By being His witnesses (v8-13).  Their testimony will counter the false testimony of the nations (v8-9) and proclaim that the LORD alone is God (v10) and Savior (v11).  By way of application believers today should remember that we too are comforted in trial so that we might bear witness to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 1:3-4; 1 Peter 3:15).

We now ask, “From what trouble will God deliver His people?”  Verses 14-15 are somewhat remarkable in that the LORD vows to send to Babylon to bring them back.  The terrible trial they will face is the Babylonian captivity.  What is remarkable is that the Babylonian captivity is still over 100 years away.  If you are familiar with the earlier parts of Isaiah you will remember that Isaiah had told King Hezekiah that a day was coming when Babylon, currently a province subject to Assyria, would be the reigning world power and would trouble Israel (Isa. 39:5-7).  But now, far in advance, God is promising an amazing restoration of the land (v16-21) as well as a regathering from every corner of the earth. 

But now we must ask further, “Why is God allowing Israel to endure this terrible, fiery trial?”  The reason is that Babylon is God’s instrument of chastening for His people (v22-24).  They have become weary of God (v22) and they have wearied God with their sins (v24).  Thus Isaiah’s preaching about Babylon now is that Israel might be called to repentance so as to avoid the discipline of their Holy God (v25-28).

So let us consider what this means to us.  Believers in Christ have God as our Father; can we count on His comfort?  Yes (2 Cor. 1:3-4)! The words of Isa. 43:2 should be quite encouraging.  But let us also remember that our trial may be the result of His loving admonition, seeking to catch our attention at a time when we are not listening (Heb. 12:3-11).  “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives” (Heb. 12:5-6).