Do we believe that Christians are a chosen race to speak of the wonderful acts of the One who called us out of darkness into God’s amazing light? Let’s look at Isaiah 43.
What kind promise did God make as Israel passed through different difficulties?
But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. (Isa 43:1-2 KJV)
Why did God encourage everyone who is called by His name, not to fear?
For I am Yahweh your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I have given Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. 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. Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your seed from the east, And gather you from the west. I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ And to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring My sons from afar And My daughters from the ends of the earth, Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made.” (Isa 43:3-7 LSB)
Did God challenge the nations to either prove their false beliefs or accept Him? Which group of people had witnessed God’s hand?
Bring out the people who are blind, even though they have eyes, And those who are deaf, even though they have ears. All the nations have gathered together So that the peoples may be assembled. Who among them can declare this And proclaim to us the former things? Let them present their witnesses so that they may be justified, Or let them hear and say, “It is true.”
“You are My witnesses,” declares the Lord, “And My servant whom I have chosen, So that you may know and believe Me And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, And there will be none after Me. I, only I, am the Lord, And there is no savior besides Me. It is I who have declared and saved and proclaimed, And there was no strange god among you; So you are My witnesses,” declares the Lord, “And I am God. Even from eternity I am He, And there is no one who can rescue from My hand; I act, and who can reverse it?” (Isa 43:8-13 NASB)
Will God punish Babylon? Is this a dual prophecy which includes the final symbolic Babylon?
This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “For your sake I will send to Babylon and bring down as fugitives all the Babylonians, in the ships in which they took pride. I am the Lord, your Holy One, Israel’s Creator, your King.” (Isa 43:14-15 NIV)
In what appears to be a dual prophecy, with final fulfillment in the end of all things, does God encourage Israel not to be stuck in the bad memories of the past?
Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea And a path through the mighty waters, Who brings forth the chariot and horse, The army and the power (They shall lie down together, they shall not rise; They are extinguished, they are quenched like a wick):
“Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert. The beast of the field will honor Me, The jackals and the ostriches, Because I give waters in the wilderness And rivers in the desert, To give drink to My people, My chosen. This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise. (Isa 43:16-21 NKJV)
Why would believers refuse to ask God for His help, but instead burden Him with their sins?
“But, dear family of Jacob, you refuse to ask for my help. You have grown tired of me, O Israel! You have not brought me sheep or goats for burnt offerings. You have not honored me with sacrifices, though I have not burdened and wearied you with requests for grain offerings and frankincense. You have not brought me fragrant calamus [incense] or pleased me with the fat from sacrifices. Instead, you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your faults. (Isa 43:22-24 NLT)
Does God offer forgiveness for those who repent? Did their teachers commit evil? Do ours?
I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake; and I will not remember your sins. Put me in remembrance. Let us plead together. Declare your case, that you may be justified. Your first father sinned, and your teachers have transgressed against me. Therefore I will profane the princes of the sanctuary; and I will make Jacob a curse, and Israel an insult.” (Isa 43:25-28 WEB)
Is verse 21 (This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise) referred to in the New Testament?
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people who are God’s own possession. You have become this people so that you may speak of the wonderful acts of the one who called you out of darkness into his amazing light. (1 Pet 2:9 CEB)
Do we believe that Christians are a chosen race to speak of the wonderful acts of the One who called us out of darkness into God’s amazing light? You decide!
