Biblion Bible Commentary
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I Have Called You by Your Name
Isaiah 43:1-13
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. · WEB
Four verbs of belonging, a promise about going through rather than around, and a nation put on the stand as witnesses.
Don't be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name. You are mine Isaiah 43:1.
Three clauses and each is a completed act. Redeemed is the family word — what a relative does to buy back a member sold into debt.
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 Isaiah 43:2.
The preposition is the promise. Not from the waters or around the fire — through both, and the assurance is company rather than exemption. Nothing here says the river will not be crossed or the fire entered.
Since you have been precious and honored in my sight, and I have loved you Isaiah 43:4.
The reason given, and it is affection rather than usefulness.
I will bring your offspring from the east, and gather you from the west. I will tell the north, "Give them up!" and tell the south, "Don't hold them back!" Isaiah 43:5–6.
The four directions are addressed as jailers, and the two commands are what a creditor is told when a debt has been settled.
Bring out the blind people who have eyes, and the deaf who have ears Isaiah 43:8.
The trial resumes, and the witnesses for the prosecution are the blind servant of the previous chapter. It is the most unpromising legal team imaginable.
Who among them can declare this, and show us former things? Let them bring their witnesses Isaiah 43:9.
The nations are asked to produce evidence, and the test is again prediction.
"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" Isaiah 43:10.
The verse the chapter turns on. God's case in court rests on the testimony of a people who have just been described as unable to see or hear — and the purpose clause runs the other way from what a court expects. They are witnesses that you may know: the act of testifying is what will teach them.
Before me there was no God formed, neither will there be after me Isaiah 43:10.
The wording is aimed at the workshop of the previous chapters. Gods are things that get formed, and this one was not.
I myself am Yahweh. Besides me, there is no savior Isaiah 43:11.
I have declared, I have saved, and I have shown, and there was no strange god among you Isaiah 43:12.
Three verbs offered as the evidence, and the sequence is announcement, act, and demonstration — a prediction, its fulfillment, and the explanation. That is the whole of what the witnesses have to say.
I will work, and who can hinder it? Isaiah 43:13.
settled What this mark means