431 But now , thus says the Lord , your Creator , O Jacob , And He who formed you, O Israel , "Do not fear , for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name ; you are Mine! 2 "When you pass through the waters , I will be with you; And through the rivers , they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire , you will not be scorched , Nor will the flame burn you. 3 "For I am the Lord your God , The Holy One of Israel , your Savior ; I have given Egypt as your ransom , Cush and Seba in your place . 4 "Since e you are precious in My sight , Since you are honored and I love you, I will give other men in your place and other peoples in exchange for your life . 5 "Do not fear , 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 who is called by My name , And whom I have created for My glory , Whom I have formed , even whom I have made ."
8 Bring out the people who are blind , even though they have eyes , And the deaf , even though they have ears . 9 All the nations have gathered together So that the peoples may be assembled . Who among them can declare this And proclaim to us the former things ? Let them present their witnesses that they may be justified , Or let them 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 there was no God formed , And there will be none after Me. 11 "I, even I, am the Lord , And there is no savior besides e Me. 12 "It is I who have declared and saved and proclaimed , And there was no strange god among you; So you are My witnesses ," declares the Lord , "And I am God . 13 "Even from eternity I am He, And there is none who can deliver out of My hand ; I act and who can reverse it?"
14 Thus says the Lord your Redeemer , the Holy One of Israel , "For your sake I have sent to Babylon , And will bring them all down as fugitives , Even the Chaldeans , into the ships in which they rejoice . 15 "I am the Lord , your Holy One , The Creator of Israel , your King ." 16 Thus says the Lord , Who makes a way through the sea And a path through the mighty waters , 17 Who brings forth the chariot and the horse , The army and the mighty man (They will lie down together and not rise again; They have been quenched and extinguished like a wick ):
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 43:1-17
Commentary on Isaiah 43:1-7
(Read Isaiah 43:1-7)
God's favour and good-will to his people speak abundant comfort to all believers. The new creature, wherever it is, is of God's forming. All who are redeemed with the blood of his Son, he has set apart for himself. Those that have God for them need not fear who or what can be against them. What are Egypt and Ethiopia, all their lives and treasures, compared with the blood of Christ? True believers are precious in God's sight, his delight is in them, above any people. Though they went as through fire and water, yet, while they had God with them, they need fear no evil; they should be born up, and brought out. The faithful are encouraged. They were to be assembled from every quarter. And with this pleasing object in view, the prophet again dissuades from anxious fears.
Commentary on Isaiah 43:8-13
(Read Isaiah 43:8-13)
Idolaters are called to appear in defence of their idols. Those who make them, and trust in them, are like unto them. They have the shape and faculties of men; but they have not common sense. But God's people know the power of his grace, the sweetness of his comforts, the kind care of his providence, and the truth of his promise. All servants of God can give such an account of what he has wrought in them, and done for them, as may lead others to know and believe his power, truth, and love
Commentary on Isaiah 43:14-21
(Read Isaiah 43:14-21)
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.