Isaiah 43: 1-7 (8/6/13)
The Lord, who created and formed you says, “Fear not for I
have redeemed (repurchased, regain
possession of by payment of a stipulated price) you. I have called you by name. You are mine.
When you pass the waters and rivers I will be with you; the river will not
sweep over you. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned; the flames
will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, Your God, the Holy One of Israel
your Savior. I gave Egypt for your ransom (Egypt
was the price given for redemption). I gave Cush & Seba on your behalf. Do not be afraid for I
am with you. I will summon the North, South, and East & West to gather you,
your children, and everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for glory,
whom I formed and made.
(8/7/13)(Reflecting on yesterday’s verse) God is proclaiming
Israel’s redemption. To proclaim is to make known by public announcement,
openly publicize or declare. Since the book of Isaiah is a book of prophesy –
things yet to come- Isaiah is declaring openly that the Israelites will be
redeemed (repurchased). They will be protected from the waters and the fire,
basically any confrontation they may encounter. Although Isaiah doesn’t speak
of Jesus at this time – we know His life is the final payment that repurchases
them (& us as shown below).
Not only does God proclaim this to Israel – look at verse
seven again…EVERYONE He created, formed and made for His glory. Did God form
you? Do you believe you were created for glory? Then do not be afraid for God
is with you and he will do what it takes to gather and keep you. The final
payment was as much for the repurchase of non-Israelites as it was for the
Israelites. Verse seven says so.
Isaiah 43: 8 (8/9/13) Lead out those who have eyes but are
blind, who have ears but are deaf.
Lead: to guide by means of some physical contact or
connection i.e. father/child; jockey/horse; guide dog/blind person.
Blind: lacking discernment, unable or unwilling to
understand, inconsiderate ( I do not think this verse in in reference to the physically inability to see with the eyes-my opinion).
Deaf: unwilling to listen
I was surprised when I read the definition of “lead”. My
initial visualization was of a tour guide through a nature trail. The physical
contact/connection is what stood out. God wants to have a connection with us,
but we must be the initiator. Look at the examples given for “lead”. If a child
is crossing a street it is usually the parent that reaches out to hold their
hand and guide them across. The horse doesn’t see out the jockey; neither does
the guide dog seek the blind man.
All of these are content without being led but what a
difference occurs when they come together. The child will make it safely across
the street. The horse is pampered, trained and led by the jockeys voice and
subtle moves. The guide dog allows the blind person to encounter new places
with less fear. That’s what the Lord wants to do for us: help us make it safely
through our day; listen to our inner voice that guides and instructs us; and
experience new places or season’s in our life with less fear than we would have
if were encounter them alone. But we must initiate the ‘connection or
relationship.
(8/10/13) I don’t believe the reference to the word blind in
this verse indicates without sight. The unwillingness to understand seems more
like the intended meaning. Remember this chapter is Isaiah is proclaiming or
declaring openly the future redemption or repurchase of the Israelites (&
us). Although the Israelites have the
capability of physically seeing and hearing, their unwillingness to understand
or listen prevails. Despite their rebellion God still choose to connect with
them and guide him to his promised land.
It amazes me to see how much God can show me out of such a
small passage...
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