Isaiah 43:1–13
Read in full context
— Isaiah 43:1–13 (WEB)
1 “But now Yahweh who created you, Jacob, and he who formed you, Israel, says: “Don’t be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name. You are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and flame will not scorch you.
3 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.
4 Since you have been precious and honored in my sight, and I have loved you, therefore I will give people in your place, and nations instead of your life.
5 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. I will bring your offspring from the east, and gather you from the west.
6 I will tell the north, ‘Give them up!’ and tell the south, ‘Don’t hold them back! Bring my sons from far away, and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
7 everyone who is called by my name, and whom I have created for my glory, whom I have formed, yes, whom I have made.’ ”
8 Bring out the blind people who have eyes, and the deaf who have ears.
9 Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the peoples be assembled. Who among them can declare this, and show us former things? Let them bring their witnesses, that they may be justified, or let them hear, and say, “That is true.”
10 “You are my witnesses,” says Yahweh, “With my servant whom I have chosen; that you may know and believe me, and understand that I am he. Before me there was no God formed, neither will there be after me.
11 I myself am Yahweh. Besides me, there is no savior.
12 I have declared, I have saved, and I have shown, and there was no strange god among you. Therefore you are my witnesses”, says Yahweh, “and I am God.
13 Yes, since the day was, I am he. There is no one who can deliver out of my hand. I will work, and who can hinder it?”
The speaker is identified in verse 1: Yahweh, who created Jacob and formed Israel. The subject addressed is identified in the same verse: Jacob, Israel. Verse 3 states: “I am Yahweh your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” Verse 11 states: “I myself am Yahweh. Besides me, there is no savior.”
Does the context of this passage identify who the speaker is?
Does the context of this passage identify who the subject is?
Does the passage state who the Savior is?
Does the passage state whether there is any savior besides Him?
Author’s Note — Wally Gee
This is the passage that anchors these notes. In the book, I take no position — the questions stand on their own. Here I will say plainly what I concluded after thirty years of reading in context: when I asked the Scriptures who the Savior is, this is where the Creator answered in His own voice. I did not arrive there by argument. I arrived by reading — and I invite you to do the same. Take your own Bible, read the chapter whole, and mark your answers, not mine.