Isaiah 44 - Redemption and Reminder

The 44th chapter of Isaiah is easily divided into three section. The difficulty comes in rightly seeing what the true meaning of each of these three sections is. I see clues in the first section, where God uses terms of tenderness that a parent has towards a child. Ethnic Israel knew God as King (yes, they failed there) but did not in any of their history see Him as Father. This leads me to think the main message of the first part is comfort to the elect. John Gill agrees, seeing the elect of ethnic Israel being the people.

Isaiah 44:1-2 (HCSB) “And now listen, Jacob My servant, Israel whom I have chosen. This is the word of the LORD your Maker who formed you from the womb; He will help you: Do not fear; Jacob is My servant; I have chosen Jeshurun."

This "forming you from the womb" is tenderness that is attached to His eternally elect, as David knew this (Psalms 51) and Jesus used similar language when He desires to gather the children of Israel as a hen does her chicks. The name Jeshurun is a term of endearment (seen in Deut 32 and 33). This may be God speaking to elect ethnic Jews, but his promise in the following verses applies to all who know Him as Lord.

Isaiah 44:3-5 (HCSB) For I will pour water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your descendants and My blessing on your offspring. They will sprout among the grass like poplars by flowing streams. This one will say, ‘I am the LORD’s’; another will call ⌊himself⌋ by the name of Jacob; still another will write on his hand, ‘The LORD’s,’ and name ⌊himself⌋ by the name of Israel.”

National Israel didn't experience this type of earthly renewal; agricultural metaphors were common to describe the blessings of YHWH on His people because they could understand them. The redeemed of God WILL sprout and grow strong - recall what took root in the good soil (Mark 4). The flowing stream points to the river of life in Rev 22. And with one saying "I am the Lord's" and another calling himself Jacob, and another write on himself that he is the Lord's and is Israel - all these echo realities found only in the New Covenant! Jeremiah says in that covenant that everyone will know the Lord and will not have to tell his neighbor "know the Lord!" All who are in Christ are Israel for He is the Israel of God, and we are all children of Abraham according to the promise.

This next section starts out with a wonderful declaration of who God is, which is well received by all who are reconciled to Him.

Isaiah 44:6-8 (HCSB) This is what the LORD, the King of Israel and its Redeemer, the LORD of Hosts, says: I am the first and I am the last. There is no God but Me. Who, like Me, can announce ⌊the future⌋? Let him say so and make a case before Me, since I have established an ancient people. Let these gods declare the coming things, and what will take place. Do not be startled or afraid. Have I not told you and declared it long ago? You are my witnesses! Is there any God but Me? There is no ⌊other⌋ Rock; I do not know any.

Here what YHWH has to say! He is the King, redeemer, Lord of the hosts of heaven; He is the first and last. There is no God but Him - we will have commentary on those other gods shortly. As He demanded of Job, He demands of His people here; who among you is like Me? God is the one who called national Israel out of the dust bin of humanity and kept them until the fullness of time. He declared it long ago and has done it; the children of ethnic Israel are witnesses! These other gods cannot declare a thing. So do not be afraid, only believe (Matt 5:36).

Isaiah 44:9-11 (HCSB) All who make idols are nothing, and what they treasure does not profit. Their witnesses do not see or know ⌊anything⌋, so they will be put to shame. Who makes a god or casts a metal image for no profit? Look, all its worshipers will be put to shame, and the craftsmen are humans. They all will assemble and stand; they all will be startled and put to shame.

In the segment, man's religion is examined. Those who make idols are nothing, treasuring rust, with witnesses who are as blind and dumb as their gods. Shame is their lot!

Isaiah 44:12-20 (HCSB) The ironworker labors over the coals, shapes the idol with hammers, and works it with his strong arm. Also he grows hungry and his strength fails; he doesn’t drink water and is faint. The woodworker stretches out a measuring line, he outlines it with a stylus; he shapes it with chisels and outlines it with a compass. He makes it according to a human likeness, like a beautiful person, to dwell in a temple. He cuts down cedars for his use, or he takes a cypress or an oak. He lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a laurel, and the rain makes it grow. It serves as fuel for man. He takes some of it and warms himself; also he kindles a fire and bakes bread; he even makes it into a god and worships it; he makes an idol from it and bows down to it. He burns half of it in a fire, and he roasts meat on that half. He eats the roast and is satisfied. He warms himself and says, “Ah! I am warm, I see the blaze.” He makes a god or his idol with the rest of it. He bows down to it and worships; He prays to it, “Save me, for you are my god.” Such people do not comprehend and cannot understand, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see, and their minds so they cannot understand. No one reflects, no one has the perception or insight to say, “I burned half of it in the fire, I also baked bread on its coals, I roasted meat and ate. I will make something detestable with the rest of it, and I will bow down to a block of wood.” He feeds on ashes. ⌊His⌋ deceived mind has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself, or say, “Isn’t there a lie in my right hand?”

This long paragraph is God's commentary on the futility of vain worship of the work of man. How weary the man is who spends his time and energy on worthless things. Note how the carpenter grows wood that he uses, in part, for good things and, the other part, to make a god for himself. What does YHWH say about them? They do not comprehend and cannot understand. Why is this? Because God has shut their eyes and minds so they cannot see or understand. This should remind us of the people Isaiah was sent to prophecy to - those would have eyes but be unable to see; have ears but be unable to hear; and dull minds that cannot understand. Natural man in inclined to self-worship. Those who hide from general revelation are shut up so they will not be able see and understand the gospel. Jesus did this by speaking in parables, so those who were not supposed to understand would not.

Idolatry comes in many forms and is NOT restricted to worshiping stone and wood idols. I've mentioned large barns several times in this walk through Isaiah; wealth is an idol for many and they know it not, just as that farmer did not. Dear brothers and sisters, let us be brutally honest with ourselves and ask God to reveal any and all idols we may have - and grant repentance while it is yet today.

Isaiah 44:21-23 (HCSB) Remember these things, Jacob, and Israel, for you are My servant; I formed you, you are My servant; Israel, you will never be forgotten by Me. I have swept away your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like a mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you. Rejoice, heavens, for the LORD has acted; shout, depths of the earth. Break out into singing, mountains, forest, and every tree in it. For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and glorifies Himself through Israel.

Here, God returns to tender language to remind His elect to avoid idolatry because they belong to Him. What is said here cannot be said to apply to the whole of national Israel - their transgressions (this word applies specifically to breaking the law) are swept away like a cloud; forgiven. These people have been redeemed - not just from exile in Babylon from sin and hell. This is cause for all - heavens, mountains, forests, and depths of the earth - to rejoice in God for He has redeemed His people and glorified Himself in them.

Isaiah 44:24-28 (HCSB) This is what the LORD, your Redeemer who formed you from the womb, says: I am Yahweh, who made everything; who stretched out the heavens by Myself; who alone spread out the earth; who destroys the omens of the false prophets and makes fools of diviners; who confounds the wise and makes their knowledge foolishness; who confirms the message of His servant and fulfills the counsel of His messengers; who says to Jerusalem, “She will be inhabited,” and to the cities of Judah, “They will be rebuilt,” and I will restore her ruins; who says to the depths of the sea, “Be dry,” and I will dry up your rivers; who says to Cyrus, “My shepherd, he will fulfill all My pleasure” and says to Jerusalem, “She will be rebuilt,” and of the temple, “Its foundation will be laid.”

Our chapter ends with a reminder of why YHWH is worthy of worship. He returns to the tender parental language of the first part of the chapter. He is truly the Lord of all, Creator of all, Judge of all. He confounds and destroys the false prophets; He confirms what He has told His people, reminding them Jerusalem will be rebuilt and re-inhabited. God will do these things, even using a pagan king to do His pleasure in the temporal rebuilding of Jerusalem. John Gill advises that this reference to Cyrus "makes way for a particular prophecy concerning him in the next chapter."

Remind yourselves of Who God is, in Christ is our assurance of the salvation that He has purchased for us. Walk humbly with the saints, knowing each of us has been gifted to serve one another. None of us lives to himself and serves God; we are to live unto the Lord Christ Jesus and that is the only way we can be fruitful.