Isaiah 43:1

Israel Redeemed

1 But now, thus says the LORD, your ¹Creator, O Jacob, And He who ²formed you, O Israel, "Do not ³fear, for I have ⁴redeemed you; I have ⁵called you by name; you are ⁶Mine!

Isaiah 43:1 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 43:1

But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob
This prophecy is not concerning Cyrus, and the redemption of the Jews by him, as some have thought; nor of Sennacherib and his army, and of their deliverance from him, as Kimchi and his father interpret it; but of the Christian church, and the state of it, when Jerusalem should be destroyed, as predicted in the preceding chapter; which goes by the name of Jacob and Israel, for the first churches chiefly consisted of Jews, and both Jews and Gentiles converted are the spiritual Israel of God: and he that formed thee, O Israel;
this creation and formation are not so much to be understood of their being the creatures of God, and the work of his hands, in a natural sense; but of their new creation and regeneration; of their being the spiritual workmanship of God, created in Christ, and formed for his glory: fear not: for I have redeemed thee:
though Jerusalem shall be destroyed, and Judea wasted, and though subject to the persecutions of wicked men in all places; yet since redeemed by Christ from sin, Satan, and the law, hell, and death, nothing is to be feared from either of them; redemption by Christ is an antidote against the fear of any enemy whatsoever: I have called thee by thy name;
with an effectual calling, which is of particular persons, and those by name, even the same that are redeemed by Christ; for whom he has redeemed by his precious blood, they are called by the grace of God to special blessings of grace, with a high, holy, and heavenly calling; and have no reason to fear anything, since they are the chosen of God; have a right to all spiritual blessings; all things work together for their good; they shall persevere to the end, and at last be brought to glory, to which they are called: thou art mine;
such as are redeemed by Christ, and called by his grace, they are his Father's gift, and his own purchase; they voluntarily give up themselves to him, under the influence of his Spirit and grace; they are his by profession and possession; they are his portion, people, sheep, and spouse; and his interest in them, and theirs in him, serve to prevent fear; such need not fear wanting anything, nor any enemy, nor perishing, or miscarrying of heaven and happiness, to which fears they are subject.

Isaiah 43:1 In-Context

1 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 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.

Cross References

• 1. Isaiah 43:15
• 2. Isaiah 43:7, 21; Isaiah 44:2, 21, 24
• 3. Isaiah 43:5
• 4. Isaiah 44:22, 23; Isaiah 48:20
• 5. Genesis 32:28; Isaiah 43:7; Isaiah 45:3, 4
• 6. Isaiah 43:21