Isaiah 43
43
Promise of Restoration
1Now, this is what Yahweh says:
“Listen, Jacob, to the One who created you,
Israel, to the one who shaped who you are. # 43:1 Jacob was created, but Israel was formed. God forms (transforms) Jacob into Israel. God is seen here as the one who changes the nature of man. See Gen. 32:28.
Do not fear,
for I, your Kinsman-Redeemer, will rescue you.
I have called you by name, and you are mine.
2When you pass through # 43:2 God’s method of deliverance is often not “out of” but “through.” His presence as we go through difficulties becomes our deliverance. See Ps. 23:4. the deep, stormy sea,
you can count on me to be there with you.
When you pass through raging rivers,
you will not drown.
When you walk through persecution like fiery flames,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not harm you,
3for I am your Savior, Yahweh, your mighty God,
the Holy One of Israel!
I give up Egypt as the price to set you free,
Cush and Seba in exchange to bring you back. # 43:3 Seba was an African nation that bordered Egypt. God was saying that there is no price too high for him to pay to set his people free. In the days of Isaiah, these nations (Egypt, Cush, and Seba) were united as one dynasty. They were given in exchange, as it were, to Persia for Israel’s future deliverance through the successors of Cyrus.
4Since you are cherished and precious # 43:4 Or “dear,” “costly,” or “of great price.” in my eyes,
and because I love you dearly and want to honor # 43:4 This is the Hebrew word for “glory” (kabod). you,
I willingly give up nations in exchange for you—
a man # 43:4 Or “people” (Hb. adam). God gave up a Man (the last “Adam,” 1 Cor. 15:45) for those who are precious to him. to save your life.
5I am with you now, even close to you,
so never yield to fear.
I will bring your children # 43:5 Or “your seed.” from the east;
from the west I will gather you.
6I will say to the north, ‘Hand them over!’
and to the south, ‘Don’t hold them back!’
Bring me my sons from far away,
my daughters from the ends of the earth!
7Bring me everyone who is called by my name, # 43:7 Isaiah was prophesying Israel’s restoration and foretelling a great worldwide harvest among the nations as a fulfillment of the Feast of Ingathering (Harvest), also known as the Feast of Tabernacles.
the ones I created to experience my glory. # 43:7 Or “for my glory.”
I myself formed them to be who they are
and made them for my glory.” # 43:7 We were created both to bring God glory and to experience his glory. See Rom. 8:30; Rev. 4:11.
God’s Witness
8Lead out those who have eyes but are blind,
those who have ears but are deaf.
9Let all the nations gather together and the people assemble.
Which of their gods # 43:9 Or “Who of them.” prophesied this?
Which of them foretold what is about to happen?
Let them bring out their witnesses to make their case;
let them take the stand and testify, “It is true.”
10Yahweh says, “You are my witnesses, my chosen servants.
I chose you in order that you would know me intimately,
believe me always, and fully understand that I am the only God.
There was no god before me,
and there will be no other god after me.
11I, only I, am Yahweh, and there is no Savior-God but me.
12I am the only one who revealed this to you.
I saved you, foretold # 43:12 Or “proclaimed,” a word often used for proclaiming what is to come (see v. 9). the future, and brought it to pass.
It was not some foreign god who did this!
You are my witnesses that I am God,” declares Yahweh.
13“From the very beginning, I am the only God! # 43:13 Or “Ever since day was, I am he.”
No one can be snatched from my hand. # 43:13 See John 10:28–29.
When I choose to act, who can reverse it?”
God, Israel’s Protector
14This is what Yahweh,
your Kinsman-Redeemer, # 43:14 It is a beautiful thought that the Holy One, who must punish evil, is also our Kinsman-Redeemer. He loves us so much that he became the sacrifice to return us to God. See Lev. 25:25; Ruth 3:9; 4:14; Isa. 44:24. the Holy One of Israel, says:
“For your good, I will send for the Babylonians;
I will bring them all as fugitives
and turn the shouting of the Chaldeans into mourning. # 43:14 Or “in ships their joyful shout.” The Hebrew of this clause is uncertain.
15I am Yahweh, your Holy One and your King,
the Creator of Israel.”
God Will Do a New Thing
16Yahweh is the one who makes a way in the sea,
a pathway in the mighty waters. # 43:16 Jesus, walking on the water, made a way (or journey) in the sea. See Ps. 77:19.
17He destroyed # 43:17 Or “led out [to destruction].” chariots and horses # 43:17 Chariots and horses are frequent biblical metaphors for the strength of the flesh.
and all their mighty warriors.
They fell, never to rise again—
gone forever, snuffed out like a wick. This is what he says:
18“Stop dwelling on the past.
Don’t even remember these former things.
19I am doing something brand new, something unheard of.
Even now it sprouts and grows and matures.
Don’t you perceive it? # 43:19 See Amos 3:7.
I will make a way in the wilderness
and open up flowing streams # 43:19 Or “paths” (Dead Sea scroll 1QIsaa). See John 7:37–39. in the desert.
20Wild beasts, # 43:20 The beast is a common biblical metaphor for human nature. See Ps. 73:22. jackals, and owls will glorify me. # 43:20 The Hebrew word for “jackals” (tannim) can also be translated “dragon.”
For I supply streams of water in the desert
and rivers in the wilderness
to satisfy the thirst of my people, my chosen ones,
21so that you, whom I have shaped and formed for myself,
will proclaim my praise. # 43:21 See 1 Peter 2:9–10.
22Yet you did not call out to me, O Jacob.
Are you so weary # 43:22 Or “weary yourself [with longing].” of me, O Israel?
23You have not brought me your sheep for burnt offerings
or honored me with your sacrifices.
I have not burdened you by requiring many grain offerings
or wearied you with demands for frankincense.
24You did not buy me fragrant calamus reeds
or lavish me with the fat of your sacrifices. # 43:24 See Heb. 13:15.
Instead, you have burdened me with your many sins
and wearied me with your evil deeds.
25I, yes I, am the One and Only, # 43:25 This is doubly emphatic in the Hebrew. God refers to himself with fifteen emphatic personal pronouns in this chapter.
who completely erases your sins, never to be seen again.
I will not remember them again.
Freely I do this because of who I am! # 43:25 Or “for my own sake.”
26Help me remember the past. Let’s debate!
Bring me your version to prove your innocence.
27Your earliest ancestor # 43:27 Some believe this to be a reference to Abraham, Jacob, or Adam. sinned,
and your spokesmen # 43:27 This is most likely the teaching priests. rebelled against me.
28So I brought disgrace on the holy priests
of the holy sanctuary # 43:28 One ancient manuscript reads “Your rulers [priests] profaned my holy sanctuary.”
and brought destruction to Jacob,
humiliation and scorn to Israel.
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Isaiah 43: TPT
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Learn More About The Passion TranslationIsaiah 43
43
The Lord Has Rescued His People
1Descendants of Jacob,
I, the Lord, created you
and formed your nation.
Israel, don't be afraid.
I have rescued you.
I have called you by name;
now you belong to me.
2When you cross deep rivers,
I will be with you,
and you won't drown.
When you walk through fire,
you won't be burned
or scorched by the flames.
3I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel,
the God who saves you.
I gave up Egypt, Ethiopia,#43.3 Ethiopia: See the note at 11.11.
and the region of Seba#43.3 Seba: A region in southwest Arabia. Egypt, Ethiopia, and Seba probably stood for all that was known of Africa in biblical times.
in exchange for you.
4To me, you are very dear,
and I love you.
That's why I gave up nations
and people to rescue you.
5Don't be afraid! I am with you.
From both east and west
I will bring you together.
6I will say to the north
and to the south,
“Free my sons and daughters!
Let them return
from distant lands.
7They are my people—
I created each of them
to bring honor to me.”
The Lord Alone Is God
The Lord said:
8Bring my people together.
They have eyes and ears,
but they can't see or hear.
9Tell everyone of every nation
to gather around.
None of them can honestly say,
“We told you so!”
If someone heard them say this,
then tell us about it now.
10My people, you are my witnesses
and my chosen servant.
I want you to know me,
to trust me, and understand
that I alone am God.
I have always been God;
there can be no others.
11I alone am the Lord;
only I can rescue you.
12I promised to save you,
and I kept my promise.
You are my witnesses
that no other god did this.
I, the Lord, have spoken.
13I am God now and forever.
No one can snatch you from me
or stand in my way.
The Lord Will Prepare the Way
14I, the Lord, will rescue you!
I am Israel's holy God,
and this is my promise:
For your sake, I will send
an army against Babylon
to drag its people away,
crying as they go.#43.14 crying as they go: Or “in their glorious ships.”
15I am the Lord, your holy God,
Israel's Creator and King.
16I am the one who cut a path
through the mighty ocean.
17I sent an army to chase you
with chariots and horses;
now they lie dead,
unable to move.
They are like an oil lamp
with the flame snuffed out.
Forget the Past
The Lord said:
18Forget what happened long ago!
Don't think about the past.
19I am creating something new.
There it is! Do you see it?
I have put roads in deserts,
streams#43.19 streams: The Standard Hebrew Text; the Dead Sea Scrolls “paths.” in thirsty lands.
20Every wild animal honors me,
even jackals#43.20 jackals: Desert animals related to wolves, but smaller. and owls.
I provide water in deserts—
streams in thirsty lands
for my chosen people.
21I made them my own nation,
so they would praise me.
22I, the Lord, said to Israel:
You have become weary of me,
but not from worshiping me.
23You have not honored me
by sacrificing sheep
or other animals.
And I have not burdened you
with demands for sacrifices
or sweet-smelling incense.
24You have not brought
delicious spices for me
or given me the best part
of your sacrificed animals.
Instead, you burden me down
with your terrible sins.
25But I wipe away your sins
because of who I am.
And so, I will forget
the wrongs you have done.
26Meet me in court!
State your case and prove
that you are right.
27Your earliest ancestor#43.27 earliest ancestor: Jacob, also known as Israel.
and all your leaders#43.27 leaders: Probably prophets, but perhaps also priests and kings.
rebelled against me.
28That's why I don't allow
your priests to serve me;
I let Israel be destroyed
and your people disgraced.
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© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.