Isaiah 43:1-7 (NRSV)
Read Isaiah 43:1-7 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 43But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. Verse 2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. Verse 3For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you. Verse 4Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life. Verse 5Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; Verse 6I will say to the north, "Give them up," and to the south, "Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth- Verse 7everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."
Devotion
I am always shocked by the intimacy of God’s speech-acts in this Isaiah passage, and the readings for the week, more generally. The prophet speaks the words of the LORD to the people to allay their fears that they have been abandoned by God. Enemies have come and have triumphed. What can God say to a conquered people? Only this: the one who created you also calls you by name and claims you. God speaks and names [and re-names!]. Elsewhere in the scroll, God says that the land will no longer be called “desolate” or “barren,” but “My delight is in her!” and “married!” (Isa 62:4). God has not given up.
But in the meantime, before that vision is accomplished, God still speaks. God says, I will be with you through the waters and in the fires. And God says to the hostage-takers north, east, south, and west: “bring back my children!” Despite everything, God still speaks!
Prayer
Speaking God, cause us to become a little quieter, and please speak a little louder. We seek the comfort of your voice! Amen.
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