1 Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen:
2 Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, [which] will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.
3 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:
4 And they shall spring up [as] among the grass, as willows by the water courses.
5 One shall say, I [am] the LORD’S; and another shall call [himself] by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe [with] his hand unto the LORD, and surname [himself] by the name of Israel.
6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I [am] the first, and I [am] the last; and beside me [there is] no God.
7 And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them.
8 Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared [it]? ye [are] even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, [there is] no God; I know not [any].
9 They that make a graven image [are] all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they [are] their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed.
10 Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image [that] is profitable for nothing?
11 Behold, all his fellows shall be ashamed: and the workmen, they [are] of men: let them all be gathered together, let them stand up; [yet] they shall fear, [and] they shall be ashamed together.
12 The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint.
13 The carpenter stretcheth out [his] rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house.
14 He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish [it].
15 Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yea, he kindleth [it], and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth [it]; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto.
16 He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth [himself], and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire:
17 And the residue thereof he maketh a god, [even] his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth [it], and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou [art] my god.
18 They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; [and] their hearts, that they cannot understand.
19 And none considereth in his heart, neither [is there] knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten [it]: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?
20 He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, [Is there] not a lie in my right hand?
21 Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou [art] my servant: I have formed thee; thou [art] my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me.
22 I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.
23 Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done [it]: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.
24 Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I [am] the LORD that maketh all [things]; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;
25 That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise [men] backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;
26 That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:
27 That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:
28 That saith of Cyrus, [He is] my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.
Overview of Isaiah Chapter 44
Isaiah 44 is a significant chapter in the Book of Isaiah, which addresses the themes of idolatry, God’s sovereignty, and the restoration of Israel. It emphasizes God’s unique identity as the Creator and contrasts this with the futility of idol worship. The chapter also contains promises of redemption and the assurance of God’s presence with His people.
Key Themes
- God’s Sovereignty: The chapter highlights God’s control over history and His ability to fulfill His promises.
- Idolatry: A strong condemnation of idol worship is presented, illustrating the absurdity of creating gods from materials God Himself created.
- Restoration of Israel: The promise of restoration for Israel is a central focus, emphasizing hope and renewal.
- Divine Assurance: God reassures His people of His unwavering support and presence.
Detailed Analysis
Verses 1-5: The Chosen Servant
In the opening verses, God addresses His people, referring to them as “Israel” and affirming His choice of them. He declares that He has poured out His Spirit upon them, indicating a deep relationship and commitment. The imagery of being “like a tree planted by the waters” symbolizes stability and growth, suggesting that those who follow God will thrive.
Verses 6-8: The Uniqueness of God
God asserts His uniqueness and sovereignty, declaring that there is no other god besides Him. This proclamation serves to remind the Israelites of His eternal nature and power. The rhetorical questions posed in these verses emphasize the futility of fearing other gods, reinforcing the idea that only God is worthy of worship.
Verses 9-20: The Futility of Idolatry
This section presents a vivid critique of idol-making. The absurdity of crafting an idol from wood and then worshiping it is highlighted. The passage illustrates the process of creating an idol and contrasts it with the living God. The foolishness of idolatry is exposed, as the idol cannot save or provide any real help. This serves as a warning against misplaced faith and the dangers of turning away from God.
Verses 21-23: Call to Remember
God urges His people to remember their origins and His acts of salvation. This call to remembrance is crucial for maintaining faith and understanding their identity as God’s chosen people. The promise of redemption is reiterated, emphasizing that God has not forgotten them and will restore them.
Verses 24-28: God’s Power in Creation and Redemption
In these verses, God reaffirms His role as the Creator and Redeemer. He states that He has the power to fulfill His promises, including the restoration of Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the temple. The mention of Cyrus, who would later conquer Babylon and allow the Israelites to return, underscores God’s control over nations and history.
Conclusion
Isaiah 44 serves as a powerful reminder of God’s sovereignty, the futility of idolatry, and the hope of restoration for Israel. The chapter encourages believers to trust in the one true God, who is capable of delivering and redeeming His people. It calls for a reflection on faithfulness and the importance of remembering God’s past acts of salvation as a foundation for future hope.
