Isaiah 44:1-5

Israel the Chosen

1 “But now listen, Jacob, my servant, Israel, whom I have chosen.
2 This is what the LORD says— he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun,[a] whom I have chosen.
3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.
4 They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams.
5 Some will say, ‘I belong to the LORD’; others will call themselves by the name of Jacob; still others will write on their hand, ‘The LORD’s,’ and will take the name Israel.

Isaiah 44:1-5 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 44

In this chapter the Lord comforts his people with the promise of the effusion of his Spirit, and the blessings of his grace upon them; the consequence of which would be fruitfulness in them, and the conversion of others, who should profess themselves the Lord's people, Isa 44:1-5, he proves his deity in opposition to all false gods from his eternity, omniscience, and foretelling future events, Isa 44:6-8, exposes the stupidity of idol makers and the worshippers of them, Isa 44:9-20, makes gracious promises of the remembrance of his people, the remission of their sins, and their redemption by Christ, Isa 44:21-23, of which redemption from Babylon was a type; and of that assurance is given, from the Lord's creating all things by his power; from his frustrating and infatuating diviners and wise men; from his fulfilling his predictions delivered by his prophets; and from his mentioning by name the instrument of their redemption, Cyrus, Isa 44:24-28, which makes way for a particular prophecy concerning him in the next chapter.

Cross References 19

  • 1. ver 21; Jeremiah 30:10; Jeremiah 46:27-28
  • 2. S Genesis 16:11; S Isaiah 14:1
  • 3. ver 21; S Psalms 149:2
  • 4. S Genesis 2:7; S Psalms 139:13; S Isaiah 27:11
  • 5. S Isaiah 41:10
  • 6. S Isaiah 43:5
  • 7. Jeremiah 30:10; Jeremiah 46:27
  • 8. S Numbers 23:21; S Deuteronomy 32:15
  • 9. Joel 3:18; John 4:10
  • 10. S Proverbs 9:5; S Isaiah 32:2; S Isaiah 35:7
  • 11. S Isaiah 11:2; Ezekiel 36:27; Joel 2:28; S Mark 1:8; S Acts 2:17
  • 12. Malachi 3:10
  • 13. Isaiah 61:9; Isaiah 65:23
  • 14. S Job 5:25; S Psalms 72:16
  • 15. S Leviticus 23:40
  • 16. S Job 40:22
  • 17. Psalms 116:16; Isaiah 19:21; Jeremiah 50:5
  • 18. Exodus 13:9
  • 19. Isaiah 60:3; Isaiah 66:23; Zechariah 8:20-22; Zechariah 13:9; Zechariah 14:16

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. "Jeshurun" means "the upright one" , that is, Israel.
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