The Israelites during Isaiah’s day, just like all humanity in every age, was separated from God by their sins (Isaiah 59:1-2). The Israelites had not respected the law of Moses, which God had given them (Isaiah 42:21, 24).
That is why Isaiah rebukes the “sin” (used 22 times), their “iniquities” (30 times), and “transgressions” (14 times). They were offending, Isaiah says, the “Holy One of Israel.”
In chapters 43-45, Isaiah pictures the Israelites in exile in Babylon, an event that will not happen for another century and a few years. Isaiah also explicitly names a Gentile king, Cyrus of Persia, who will allow the Israelites to return home (44:28; 45:1). Giving Cyrus’s name more than a century in advance, as well as prophesying the return itself, is explicitly given to show Israel that their God knows the future and can control the future.
For that reason, Isaiah encourages Israel to “not fear” what will happen to them: 43:1, 5; 44:2, 8. In this text, Isaiah 43-45, Isaiah constantly reminds Israel that God is the one who had formed them, created them, and made them: 43:1, 7; 44:2, 24; 45:18.
Not only that, but it is also God, their Maker, who is their Redeemer and their Savior. Isaiah identifies God as Israel’s Savior in 43:3, 11, 15, and 21. He is identified as the “Redeemer” in 43:1, 14; 44:6, 23, 24.
Back in 40:3 we have observed that John the baptizer (who fulfills this promise) was to pave the way for the coming of the “Lord” (Jehovah) and “God.” That passage demands that we understand Jesus to be “Jehovah incarnate” and “God in the flesh” (thus 7:14).
I can’t cialis online best build a team or organization different from me. A healthy breakfast includes http://djpaulkom.tv/dating-at-40-57/ buy viagra online bowl full of nutrients required for strong bones. Sign indication would be hypertension, lack of memory and lack of sleep may result in general fatigue or cheap cialis soft tissue inflammation that causes acute and persistent pain. Setting low price viagra a convenient time for the meeting that is mutually agreeable is important. But in 44:6, Isaiah also says these words: “Thus says the Lord (Jehovah), the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord (Jehovah) of hosts.” Please observe we have two individuals portrayed here, both identified as Lord (Jehovah). This Person is Jehovah, God, Redeemer, King, and Savior.
When each of those designations are applied to Jesus Christ in the New Testament, the writers are demanding that we view Jesus as the embodiment of the eternal God. Yes, He is “God with us” (Matthew 1:21) and embodies the “fullness of the Godhead” (Colossians 2:9).
At the end of our chosen text, Isaiah 45:23, God says, “I have sworn by Myself, the word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness and will not turn back, that to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance.” You probably recognize this verse as being quoted by Paul in Romans 14:11 and Philippians 2:10 showing that God will have all men confess the name of Christ.
Isaiah also saw this promise as being universal for back in verse 14, he sees people from Egypt, Cush, and the Sabeans coming to worship God with the Jews. All that worship will ultimately be acceptable to God, as sins are forgiven by the Redeemer, when the Son of God comes and gives His life a sacrifice for all of mankind.
Indeed, we smell the beautiful scent of Jesus Christ on every page of the Gospel of Isaiah!
–Paul Holland
