Isaiah 44 - You can Trust Me

Isaiah 44 - You can Trust Me

I. The Lord Has Chosen Israel. (v1-5)

God referred to "Jacob my servant" in two ways. First is "Israel whom I have chosen". (v1) This takes us back to the time when Jacob was wrestling with a celestial being (who many people believe are the pre-incarnate Christ), and who renamed him to Israel. 

The second word he called "Jacob my servant" was "Jeshurun who I have chosen". (v2) Jeshurun was only used 3 times in the scriptures and always refer to Israel. It means "the upright one", which reflects his grace to Jacob, for Jacob means "supplanter."

God's plan was to bring forgiveness to Israel and make it "upright" through his Servant that we read in earlier chapter. He will pour his Spirit on their descendants when they receive Christ as their savior. 

Though Christ had come over 2000 years ago, not many Jews have received Christ as their savior. We are still waiting for this prophecy to happen. 

II. Foolish to Worship Idols (v6-20)

God declares that "I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god". (v6) It is such a concise statement that there had not been a God, neither will there be any God in the future, and that He is the only God every existed. He ask them to remember that everything He promised had always come true, so they can continue to trust his promises. 

God said those who fashion idols are wasting their time as there will be no profit. Man are foolish as they have to plant the tree where rain nourishes it, and he cuts it down to warm himself and make his food; however, they take the same wood to build an idol and worship it as his god. While the conclusion should be obvious, they have "shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, and their hearts, so that they cannot understand." (v18)

This reminds me of a story where someone questioned a Christian why he prays and give thanks to God for his meals. The atheist said it was he that had worked hard and earn the money to buy the food - God had nothing to do with it. The Christian answered that "God gave me life and made me healthy enough to get a job, and also made the sun and water for my vegetables, and food for the animals. I'm thanking Him for these."

III. You can Trust Me (v21-28)

God returns to the topic of redemption of Israel. He said "I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you." (v22)

This reminds us of two truths: the sacrifice of Christ on the cross are time-transcendent. Even if they return to God before Christ came, their transgressions will be forgiven. The second truth is that it is not automatic - they have to physically and spiritually return to God and abandon their idolatries. These are truths that apply before as well as after Christ died on the cross. 

From v23 onwards, there was a jubilation of what God is doing for Israel. It says "Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it" (v23). Once He has made a promises, it cannot be changed. It might as well be treated as had happened already.

Verse 24 remind us he made the heavens and formed us in the womb - both the almighty trait as well as personal trait. He doesn't just leave us alone in life, but he will ensure there will be judgement and justice for those who do wrong. He is active in our lives and we can reach out to Him. 

He can also make the future happen according to his will, such as making Jerusalem being populated again. In fact this happens twice, once after the current Babylonian exile and another time after the Global exile when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in 70AD. 

Those living today knows that the Jews were brought back to Jerusalem after World War 2 for their independence in 1948, since 70AD.  Today Israel is one of the leading countries in technology and agriculture. It is a miracle after what they have gone through for so long. 

Finally, God even knows the individuals that he will use to fulfill his prophecies, years before they were born. One of the miracles in Isaiah is verse 28: "who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all my purpose’; saying of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be built, and of the temple, ‘Your foundation shall be laid.’”

Cyrus the Great was the name of the Persian king who defeated Babylon in 539BC. It was the Persian's policy to allow their vassal states to practice their own religion and culture. Cyrus ordered the Jews in Babylon to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple that the Babylon had destroyed when the exiled them almost 70 years ago. 

As Cyrus was not born during Isaiah's writing, many secular literalist believe that the entire Isaiah 40-66 were written after the Cyrus decree by another person. But if there is God, then will it be impossible for him to name Cyrus?