Isaiah 43 – Redeemed and Chosen

LINK: Isaiah 43

The Lord exhorts Judah to "not fear" (remember how often it is stated in this book). Despite their past failures, He would restore them from Babylon and bring them back home in a new "Exodus" through a new desert. This would show the world that He is the only true God (43:8-13).

God had redeemed them. The Hebrew word gā’al, means "to buy out of slavery" and is a keyword in Isaiah. There are allusions in this chapter to the first Exodus when God redeemed Israel from slavery in Egypt.

God had "chosen" them. This word translates as bachar in Hebrew.

Yahweh chose Israel to be holy and thereby to serve as his witness among the nations (Deuteronomy 14:6). But her election is not based on her own greatness but on the greatness of the Lord's love (Deuteronomy 7:7f.). The choice of Israel is confirmed by the exile and restoration, for in a new way Israel now bears witness of the Lord to the nations (Isaiah 41:8f.; 43:10; 48:10). (Harris, R. L., Harris, R. L., Archer, G. L., & Waltke, B. K. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, p. 100)

 

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION 

Israel was an unworthy servant, but God chose them and redeemed them and would bring them back to the Promised Land. He had chosen them because He loved them and for their unique role in the history of the world. They would bring the Messiah to bless the whole world!

The Scarlet Thread of Redemption

Just as Israel was a "chosen people." We who believe in Jesus, the Messiah, are chosen:

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

Rejoice and thank God for this fact!

PRAYER

Thank You Lord for redeeming me from slavery to sin and choosing me to be part of You family. Amen.