Isaiah 43:1 (ESV) … “But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”
Jacob (also called Israel; Isaiah 40:27) need have no fear in her captivity because God had created and formed her and had redeemed her from bondage in Egypt. “Redeemed” translates gā’al, “to buy out of slavery.”
Reference to this Exodus was fitting in view of what Isaiah wrote in 43:14–28 about a new “Exodus” in which God would bring the people back to their homeland from Babylon. To be called (Isaiah 48:12) by name points up Israel’s special relationship with the Lord as His covenant people. This is similar to a shepherd calling his sheep by name in his personal care for them. Because of God’s past work in creating, redeeming, and caring for Israel, He would continue to protect her. Therefore, in difficult times, pictured as floodwaters and fire, Israel should not give up and fear, for God would be with her and protect her. [1]
Likewise, though we go through trials and tribulation in life, we must never give up on God. He has promised us his presences and protection. We are always safe in the saving hand of God!
