Isaiah:43

---

Seeker Overlay ON

* Verse 1-7 - God 's favour and good-will to his people speak abundant comfort to all believers . The new creature , wherever it is , is of God 's forming . All who are redeemed with the blood of his Son , he has set apart for himself . Those that have God for them need not fear who or what can be against them . What are Egypt and Ethiopia , all their lives and treasures , compared with the blood of Christ ? True believers are precious in God 's sight , his delight is in them , above any people . Though they went as through fire and water , yet , while they had God with them , they need fear no evil ; they should be born up , and brought out . The faithful are encouraged . They were to be assembled from every quarter . And with this pleasing object in view , the prophet again dissuades from anxious fears . * Verse 8-13 - Idolaters are called to appear in defence of their idols . Those who make them , and trust in them , are like unto them . They have the shape and faculties of men ; but they have not common sense . But God 's people know the power of his grace , the sweetness of his comforts , the kind care of his providence , and the truth of his promise . All servants of God can give such an account of what he has wrought in them , and done for them , as may lead others to know and believe his power , truth , and love * Verse 14-21 - The deliverance from Babylon is foretold , but there is reference to greater events . The redemption of sinners by Christ , the conversion of the Gentiles , and the recall of the Jews , are described . All that is to be done to rescue sinners , and to bring the believer to glory , is little , compared with that wondrous work of love , the redemption of man . * Verse 22-28 - Those who neglect to call upon God , are weary of him . The Master tired not the servants with his commands , but they tired him with disobedience . What were the riches of God 's mercy toward them ? I , even I , am he who yet blotteth out thy transgressions . This encourages us to repent , because there is forgiveness with God , and shows the freeness of Divine mercy . When God forgives , he forgets . It is not for any thing in us , but for his mercies ' sake , his promise ' sake ; especially for his Son 's sake . He is pleased to reckon it his honour . Would man justify himself before God ? The attempt is desperate : our first father broke the covenant , and we all have copied his example . We have no reason to expect pardon , except we seek it by faith in Christ ; and that is always attended by true repentance , and followed by newness of life , by hatred of sin , and love to God . Let us then put him in remembrance of the promises he has made to the penitent , and the satisfaction his Son has made for them . Plead these with him in wrestling for pardon ; and declare these things , that thou mayest be justified freely by his grace . This is the only way , and it is a sure way to peace . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

---