Isaiah 43
COMMENTARY:
: 4 Since you were precious in MY sight, you have been honorable, and I have loved you: therefore, will I give men for you, and people for your life. (3365 “precious” (yaqar) means praised, to be worth, esteemed, to be or become worthy, precious, valuable or costly, be highly valued, dear, or become well known.)
DEVOTION: The reason that Israel was highly valued was not because of something the nation did or some quality she possessed but because the HE chose them. HE was the one who did the loving of them because it was all about HIM alone.
HE wanted to honor a nation that HE considered would be one that would bring forth a Savior that would save those who would become followers of HIM in the future. They were not going to be perfect but HE was perfect and was going to work with them, so that, through them there would come into the world HIS ONLY Begotten Son who would die on the cross to provide salvation and eternal life for all those HE had chosen before the world began.
It is hard for us to completely understand that God had a plan before HE created the world and HE was going to work HIS plan. The gates of hell were not going to prevent HIS plan and we have to accept HIS plan and praise HIM for it.
It started with Adam and Eve in the garden. It continued through the seed of Abraham in the Old Testament. Then can the provision that HE had promised through HIS Son, Jesus Christ.
We don’t understand it completely but we know that HE had a plan and HE is working HIS plan and those who are HIS followers will receive eternal life in heaven for eternity.
Do we completely understand what is going on? NO! We just have to trust HIM and believe HIS Word the Bible. Only those who trust HIM and become followers through Jesus Christ will spend eternity in heaven. Those who reject HIS plan will spend eternity in Hell with the devil and his angels.
This is what the Bible teaches and sometimes it doesn’t make sense to us but it is what is being started with the sacrifice for Adam and Eve in the garden and continues to today with our trusting in Jesus for our eternal life in heaven.
CHALLENGE: God has a plan and is working HIS plan. Trust HIM completely for your eternal place in HIS plan.
: 7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. (3519 “glory” [kabowd] means honor, glorious, abundance, riches, splendor, or reverence.)
DEVOTION: Throughout the Word of God there is a stated fact that the LORD created man. The Genesis account of the creation of the world is the only true account of the beginning of mankind. The world was created in six twenty-four hour periods. We have the evening and the morning of each day. Man and woman were created on the sixth day. God rested on the seventh day.
The atheists have been battling against the creation account. Our schools are trying to convince the world that evolution is the only answer. They teach it as if it was fact.
The Bible teaches that creation is a fact. Which is true? Those who are followers of the LORD realize that HE never lies. HE is all powerful and can do anything. The God of the Bible is the only true God. HE sent HIS Son to die on the cross for the sins of the world.
Here in the Old Testament Isaiah quotes the LORD as the one who can be called on for salvation and deliverance from the consequences of sin. HE wants those who are followers of HIM to give HIM honor.
Isaiah is a great book. This section of chapters 40 thru 66 is called Restoration by some commentaries. The LORD is dealing with a chosen people that sin and don’t confess and yet HE still loves them.
HE gives hope when HE is sending tribulation to HIS people. HE works with them as their Redeemer. HE repeats the facts that HE make Israel, formed Israel, and created Israel and chose Israel. HE did it all for Israel to give HIM splendor in the world.
They were the means the LORD wanted to use to reach the world with HIS name. HE confronted Israel with the fact that they were failing. Isaiah was telling them about their relationship with the LORD. They thought HE required more than they wanted to give to HIM. They enjoyed sinning. HE enjoyed blotting out their transgressions. How could HE do this? The blood of the Lamb was coming.
This same loving God is the one we are to witness to others about each day. We are the means the LORD desires to use to bring others to Christ. HE has chosen to use HIS people in both Testaments to be HIS witness in the world.
Many people who call themselves Christians have never selected a person to witness to, so that, they can be a follower of Christ. We need to tell the world. We need to give God all the glory. Witness to one this year for our Savior! HE called us. HE created us. HE formed us. HE made us. Purpose: To give HIM glory.
CHALLENGE: Obedience to the Word of God is essential if our message is going to be clear to the world. God said, I believe it, that settles it.
: 11 I, even I, am the LORD, and besides Me there is no savior. The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982). יהוה, יְהוִה [Yâhovah /yeh·ho·vaw/]-the proper name of the one true God.
DEVOTION: The Lord Jehovah is declaring that He alone is the author and sustainer of eternal salvation. The Lord’s deliverance of Israel also shows that He is the true God. He is her only frequently (cf. 17:10; 43:3; 45:15, 21; 49:26; 60:16; 62:11; 63:8). God’s revealing His plans and saving His people could not be duplicated by any foreign god. Israel’s existence witnesses to His sovereignty and eternity. No one can reverse what God puts into action or thwart His plans (cf. Job 42:2). [The Bible Knowledge Commentary, 1097.]
In the New Testament we may call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and declare that He is the only way to salvation (Acts 4:10-12). There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Jesus is Jehovah and Peter boldly proclaimed that truth.
Today we need to declare that Jesus is God and the sole means by which man can be delivered from sin and depravation! He is the way, the Truth, and the Life! No man can obtain eternal life except through Him.
CHALLENGE: Many people and religious groups attempt to provide more than just Jesus as the way to Heaven and eternal life. The Bible is very clear that Jesus is that way! Narrow is the way but great is the reward if you follow the true path that God has established. Do not be deceived! (Dr. Brian Miller – board member)
: 25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. (4229 “blot” [machah] means destroy, wipe, wipe away, abolished, obliterate, exterminate, wash out, or erase.)
DEVOTION: In an official statement by the LORD, HE states that HE is the only one who can wipe away all sin from the children of Israel.
The people of God in the Old Testament and in the New Testament are sinners. They were born in sin with a sin nature that stays with them for the rest of their life. No one, other than Jesus, is ever without the ability to sin. The ability continually is put into practice.
Anyone who states that they are without sin is called a liar. This is recorded by the Holy Spirit in the writings of the Apostle John. Does this mean that we should just continue to practice sin without regard for trying to obey the LORD? NO!!
The LORD doesn’t want us to sin as much as we can after we are followers of Jesus Christ. HE wants us to realize that HE is in the forgiving business. HE wants HIS children to know that HE cares for them and wants them to know that HE is there to help them through every difficulty that comes their way. They don’t have to sin but if they do HE expect confession of sin and HE will provide the forgiveness.
When it comes time for HIS children to appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ we find that our sins are gone. It is an occasion for the passing out of rewards. There are crowns given out. It is a time of joy. The LORD does this for HIS own pleasure to show HIS love for HIS children.
There are many references to state what the LORD does with the sins of HIS children. HE buries them in the deepest sea. HE expresses that they are as far as the east is from the west. HE wipes them away in this verse to give the children of Israel hope.
We have the same hope in our relationship with HIM. HE knows that we are sinners but that we want to give HIM glory with our life. If we fail, HE picks us up to give us more grace to serve HIM.
CHALLENGE: Praise the LORD for all HE has done for you. Live a life that is an expression of joy in the fact that you are forgiven. Express this joy to others.
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