Catholic Commentary on Isaiah 43

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)

Israel's Redeemer

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. See, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

The Catechism identifies this passage as one of the most personal declarations of divine love in Scripture, the God who calls each person by name, who considers them precious and honoured (CCC 218).

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, I have summoned you by name; you are mine. Your name is known to God. Not your category, not your demographic, not your type, your name. The name your mother gave you, the name by which those who love you call you. That name is in the mouth of God. You are his.

Prayer

Lord God, you have called us by name and we are yours. When we pass through the waters, be with us. When we walk through the fire, let us not be burned. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

43
Israel’s Only Savior
1 Now this is what the LORD says-
He who created you, O Jacob,
and He who formed you, O Israel:
 
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name; you are Mine!
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you go through the rivers,
they will not overwhelm you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be scorched;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
 
3 For I am the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush * 43:3 That is, the upper Nile region and Seba in your place.
4 Because you are precious and honored in My sight,
and because I love you,
I will give men in exchange for you
and nations in place of your life.
 
5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your offspring from the east
and gather you from the west.
6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back!’
Bring My sons from afar,
and My daughters from the ends of the earth-
7 everyone called by My name and created for My glory,
whom I have indeed formed and made.”
 
8 Bring out a people who have eyes but are blind,
and who have ears but are deaf.
9 All the nations gather together
and the peoples assemble.
Who among them can declare this,
and proclaim to us the former things?
Let them present their witnesses to vindicate them,
so that others may hear and say, “It is true.”
 
10 “You are My witnesses,” declares the LORD,
“and My servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may consider and believe Me
and understand that I am He.
Before Me no god was formed,
and after Me none will come.
11 I, yes I, am the LORD,
and there is no Savior but Me.
12 I alone decreed and saved and proclaimed-
I, and not some foreign god among you.
So you are My witnesses,” declares the LORD,
“that I am God.
13 Even from eternity I am He,
and none can deliver out of My hand.
When I act, who can reverse it?”
A Way in the Wilderness
 
14 Thus says the LORD your Redeemer,
the Holy One of Israel:
 
“For your sake, I will send to Babylon
and bring them all as fugitives,
even the Chaldeans,† 43:14 That is, the Babylonians
in the ships in which they rejoice.
15 I am the LORD, your Holy One,
the Creator of Israel, and your King.”
 
16 Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea
and a path through the surging waters,
17 who brings out the chariots and horses,
the armies and warriors together,
to lie down, never to rise again;
to be extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:
 
18 “Do not call to mind the former things;
pay no attention to the things of old.
19 Behold, I am about to do something new;
even now it is coming. Do you not see it?
Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness
and streams in the desert.
20 The beasts of the field will honor Me,
the jackals ‡ 43:20 Or serpents or dragons and the ostriches,§ 43:20 Literally and daughters of an ostrich or and daughters of an owl
because I provide water in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert,
to give drink to My chosen people.
 
21 The people I formed for Myself
will declare My praise.
Israel’s Unfaithfulness
(Judges 2:10-15; Jeremiah 2:23-37)
 
22 But you have not called on Me, O Jacob,
because you have grown weary of Me, O Israel.
23 You have not brought Me sheep for burnt offerings,
nor honored Me with your sacrifices.
I have not burdened you with offerings,
nor wearied you with frankincense.
24 You have not bought Me sweet cane with your silver,
nor satisfied Me with the fat of your sacrifices.
But you have burdened Me with your sins;
you have wearied Me with your iniquities.
 
25 I, yes I, am He
who blots out your transgressions for My own sake
and remembers your sins no more.
26 Remind Me, let us argue the matter together.
State your case, so that you may be vindicated.
27 Your first father sinned,
and your spokesmen rebelled against Me.
28 So I will disgrace the princes of your sanctuary,
and I will devote Jacob to destruction * 43:28 Forms of the Hebrew cherem refer to the giving over of things or persons to the LORD, either by destroying them or by giving them as an offering. and Israel to reproach.”

*43:3 43:3 That is, the upper Nile region

†43:14 43:14 That is, the Babylonians

‡43:20 43:20 Or serpents or dragons

§43:20 43:20 Literally and daughters of an ostrich or and daughters of an owl

*43:28 43:28 Forms of the Hebrew cherem refer to the giving over of things or persons to the LORD, either by destroying them or by giving them as an offering.

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