14 Thus says Yahweh, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “For your sake, I have sent to Babylon, and I will bring all of them down as fugitives, even the Chaldeans, in the ships of their rejoicing. 15 I am Yahweh, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.” 16
Thus says Yahweh, who makes a way in the sea,
and a path in the mighty waters; 17 who brings forth the chariot and horse,
the army and the mighty man
(they lie down together, they shall not rise;
they are extinct, they are quenched like a wick): 18 “Don’t remember the former things,
and don’t consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I will do a new thing.
It springs forth now.
Don’t you know it?
I will even make a way in the wilderness,
and rivers in the desert. 20 The animals of the field shall honor me,
the jackals and the ostriches;
because I give water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert,
to give drink to my people, my chosen, 21 the people which I formed for myself,
that they might set forth my praise.
22 Yet you have not called on me, Jacob;
but you have been weary of me, Israel. 23 You have not brought me of your sheep for burnt offerings;
neither have you honored me with your sacrifices.
I have not burdened you with offerings,
nor wearied you with frankincense. 24 You have bought me no sweet cane with money,
nor have you filled me with the fat of your sacrifices;
but you have burdened me with your sins.
You have wearied me with your iniquities. 25 I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake;
and I will not remember your sins. 26 Put me in remembrance.
Let us plead together.
Set forth your case,
that you may be justified. 27 Your first father sinned,
and your teachers have transgressed against me. 28 Therefore I will profane the princes of the sanctuary;
and I will make Jacob a curse,
and Israel a reviling.”
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Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 43:14-28
Commentary on Isaiah 43:14-21
(Read Isaiah 43:14-21)
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.
Commentary on Isaiah 43:22-28
(Read Isaiah 43:22-28)
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.