October 05, 2022 – Wednesday
Isaiah 43:3 NIV
3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead.
Isaiah 43:3 NASB
3 For I, the Lord, am your God, the Holy One of Israel, your savior. I give Egypt as ransom for you, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you.
Comment
I was directed to Isaiah 43 after I read Pastor Robert Jeffress’ comments on 43:2 as reassurance for those in hurricane ravaged Florida, 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. But going to Isaiah 43:3 I was captivated by the LORD describing Himself as Israel’s Savior and that He gave Egypt for Israel’s ransom. All very much like how Jesus would be the world’s Savior and how He would be given for all of mankind’s ransom with His crucifixion.
Reading through the entire chapter, it became very apparent God is saying He is Israel’s Savior and that He alone is their savior. Further He will forgive their sins. Moving into the next chapter He promises to pour His spirit upon Israel while rebuking the foolishness of anyone worshipping false gods. God will redeem Israel and restore Jerusalem.
To make sense of this it helps to know Isaiah is divided into three parts. The first includes chapters 1-39 deals with all the idolatry and iniquities of Israel, Judah, and the nearby nations in the 8th century BC. The second includes chapters 40-55 and is a message of real hope and comfort for those exiled from Judah. Isaiah prophesied their downfall and exile over a century prior to it happening. This is the section we are in today. The last section, chapters 56-66 is a message for the post-exilic nation to rebuild all that was lost. Quick note: chapter 53 is an explicit prophesy about Jesus and how He would die for our sins.
Now back to verse 43:3, Isaiah gives us a picture of God surrendering Egypt and other nations to Cyrus as if they were a price paid to him for liberating the Jews from Babylon. The Pulpit Commentary makes the unusual note that God had His eye fixed on the deliverance of Israel out of the double captivity of sin and of Babylon. He was also giving up Egypt, Ethiopia and Seba as compensation for letting them go. What all this tells us is that God was in the business of salvation long before Jesus joined us on earth. All this was preparatory for the time when salvation would come to the world and not just Israel. Psalm 117 foresaw this day as well when all the nations would praise God, 1 Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. 2 For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Bottom Line: We can and should trust in God no matter our circumstances. In doing so we can take Paul’s words to heart in Philippians 4:12 where he wrote, I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You continue to reveal Yourself as a loving and patient God waiting on those who will one day follow You and Your Son Jesus. Thank You for Your incredible mercy and grace. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek