Isaiah 43

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 43:1

But now . The words mark the strong contrast between the closing passage of the preceding chapter and the opening paragraph of the present one. Israel had undergone a severe punishment for his sins; he is still suffering, but now there is going to be an entire change. He is to be protected and delivered. Created thee … formed. thee redeemed thee … called thee by thy name. An ascending series of benefits. First, creation, like that of formless matter out of nought; then, formation, or... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 43:1

The supreme claim and the sure stay. So far from having nothing to do with us as individual spirits, we may say that God has everything to do with us. On the one hand, he makes a very great claim upon us; and on the other hand, he holds out very great hopes to us. I. THE SUPREME CLAIM . To every human soul, as to Israel of old, God says, "Thou art mine." He requires of us that we shall consider ourselves as belonging to him; so that he may employ us in his service, may direct our... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 43:1

Personal relations with God. "Thou art mine." In the East, to call a person by name is a mark of an individualizing tenderness. But so it is in all lands. Those who are in close personal relations with us we call by their Christian names; we even give them a new pet name; and they love that name, because it is a sign to them of the close connection in which they stand to us. God tried to keep this sense of personal relation ever before the people of Israel, and so to keep them assured of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 43:1-7

A RENEWED PROMISE TO ISRAEL OF PROTECTION AND DELIVERANCE . Severe rebuke ( Isaiah 42:18-25 ) is followed, as so often in Isaiah ( Isaiah 1:25-27 ; Isaiah 4:2-6 ; Isaiah 9:1-16 , etc.), by comfort and consolation. Israel is assured that God has not cast him off, and promised the comfort of the Divine presence during the existing tribulation (verse 2), and. a speedy restoration to Palestine (verses 3-7). The scattered Israelites will be brought together from all... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 43:1-7

The love of Jehovah to Israel. "But now." The word itself hints yearning affection. There has been a conflict between Divine love and Divine wrath, and the former has gained the victory. In fact, the wrath of Jehovah was but grieved affection. Its force is now for the time spent. He will now deliver and protect, reassemble and restore his people (Cheyne). I. IT IS THE LOVE OF A PARENT . "Thy Creator, O Jacob; he that formed thee, O Israel." Of all the works of God,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 43:2

Through the waters … through the rivers ; i.e. through troubles of any kind (comp. Psalms 66:12 , "We went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place"). There were, perhaps, special troubles to be endured connected with the final Babylonian struggle. There were certainly others connected with the tedious and dangerous journey from Babylonia to Palestine ( Ezra 8:22 , Ezra 8:31 ). There were others, again, after the Holy Land was reached, arising... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 43:2

God, in trouble. "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee: and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee." When. Then it is certain that such experiences will come. It is only a question of time. Tribulation is common to all the children. "The same sufferings," says the apostle, "are accomplished in your brethren which are in the world." When? We do not always know when the desolating floods of life are coming, but presently they will rise to our breast and to our... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 43:2

Succor in sorrow. It is bad indeed for us when our best friends become our worst enemies. Fire and water are two of our best friends so long as we have them under control: they warm, cleanse, nourish, fertilize, convey. But when they gain the mastery' over us they overturn and. consume, they injure and destroy both property and life; they thus become striking illustrations as well as fruitful sources of trial and distress. I. THE GREATER AFFLICTIONS OF HUMAN LIFE . The terms... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 43:2

Safety for the soul in times of trouble. The first figure in this verse is a very familiar one; the second needs such explanations as are given by writers on Eastern customs. It seems that the setting of the grass and undergrowth on fire, in the East, was commonly practised to annoy enemies, and it sometimes occasioned great terror and distress. Hawkesworth relates that the wild inhabitants of New South Wales endeavoured to destroy some tents and stores belonging to Captain Cook's ship, when... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 43:3

The Holy One of Israel (comp. Isaiah 41:14 , Isaiah 41:20 , with the comment). Thy Saviour. He who had saved them front Pharaoh ( Exodus 14:23-31 ), from Jabin ( 4:1-24 .), from Midian ( 7:1-25 .), from the Philistines ( 2 Samuel 8:1 ), from Zerah ( 2 Chronicles 14:9-15 ), from Sennacherib ( Isaiah 37:36 ). The term is first used of God by David in 2 Samuel 22:3 and Psalms 106:21 (if that psalm be Davidical). It is also applied to God once in Jeremiah ( Jeremiah 14:8 ),... read more

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