Has The Time Come In Your Life As With Israel That You Are Proud Of Belonging To God? Set Free by the Lord, the Only Living & True God

God’s People are Set Free by His promise:

He Will help Israel & (Redeemed Believers), (Isaiah 44:1–28). 

¹Listen to me, O my servant Israel, O my chosen ones:

²The Lord who made you, who will help you, says: O servant of mine, don’t be afraid. O Jerusalem, my chosen ones, don’t be afraid. ³For I will give you abundant water for your thirst and for your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit and my blessings on your children. ⁴They shall thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank. ⁵“I am the Lord’s,” they’ll proudly^a say, or “I am a Jew,” and tattoo upon their hands the name of God or the honored name of Israel.

⁶The Lord, the King of Israel, says—yes, it is Israel’s Redeemer, the Lord Almighty, who says it—I am the First and Last; there is no other God. ⁷Who else can tell you what is going to happen in the days ahead? Let them tell you if they can and prove their power. Let them do as I have done since ancient times. ⁸Don’t, don’t be afraid. Haven’t I proclaimed from ages past that I would save you^b? You are my witnesses—is there any other God? No! None that I know about! There is no other Rock!

⁹What fools they are who manufacture idols for their gods. Their hopes remain unanswered. They themselves are witnesses that this is so, for their idols neither see nor know. No wonder those who worship them are so ashamed. ¹⁰Who but a fool would make his own god—an idol that can help him not one whit! ¹¹All that worship these will stand before the Lord in shame, along with all these carpenters—mere men—who claim that they have made a god. Together they will stand in terror. ¹²The metalsmith stands at his forge to make an ax, pounding on it with all his might. He grows hungry and thirsty, weak and faint. ¹³Then the woodcarver takes the ax and uses it to make an idol. He measures and marks out a block of wood and carves the figure of a man. Now he has a wonderful idol that can’t so much as move from where it is placed. ¹⁴He cuts down cedars, he selects the cypress and the oak, he plants the ash in the forest to be nourished by the rain. ¹⁵And after his care, he uses part of the wood to make a fire to warm himself and bake his bread, and then—he really does—he takes the rest of it and makes himself a god—a god for men to worship! An idol to fall down before and praise! ¹⁶Part of the tree he burns to roast his meat and to keep him warm and fed and well content, ¹⁷and with what’s left he makes his god: a carved idol! He falls down before it and worships it and prays to it. “Deliver me,” he says. “You are my god!”

¹⁸Such stupidity and ignorance! God has shut their eyes so that they cannot see and closed their minds from understanding. ¹⁹The man never stops to think or figure out, “Why, it’s just a block of wood! I’ve burned it for heat and used it to bake my bread and roast my meat. How can the rest of it be a god? Should I fall down before a chunk of wood?” ²⁰The poor, deluded fool feeds on ashes; he is trusting what can never give him any help at all. Yet he cannot bring himself to ask, “Is this thing, this idol that I’m holding in my hand, a lie?”

²¹Pay attention, Israel, for you are my servant; I made you, and I will not forget to help you. ²²I’ve blotted out your sins; they are gone like morning mist at noon! Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free.

²³Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done this wondrous thing. Shout, O earth; break forth into song, O mountains and forests, yes, and every tree; for the Lord redeemed Jacob and is glorified in Israel! ²⁴The Lord, your Redeemer who made you, says: All things were made by me; I alone stretched out the heavens. By myself I made the earth and everything in it.

²⁵I am the one who shows what liars all false prophets are, by causing something else to happen than the things they say. I make wise men give opposite advice to what they should and make them into fools. ²⁶But what my prophets say, I do; when they say Jerusalem will be delivered and the cities of Judah lived in once again—it shall be done! ²⁷When I speak to the rivers and say, “Be dry!” they shall be dry. ²⁸When I say of Cyrus,^c “He is my shepherd,” he will certainly do as I say; and Jerusalem will be rebuilt and the Temple restored, for I have spoken it.^[1] 

E. Set Free by the Lord, the Only Living & True God, 44:1–28 

1.      God’s people are set free by His promise: He will help Israel (redeemed believers), (44:1–8).

2.      God’s people are set free by knowing the folly of idolatry

3.      God’s people are set free by returning to the Lord & by renewing their great hope in the promised land 

E. Set Free by the Lord, the Only Living and True God, Isaiah 44:1–28

 

(44:1–28) Introduction: freedom is one of the most prized possessions of the human race. People who live in a free nation are usually able to move around without restraints, exercise their initiatives, pursue their ambitions, choose their work, marry the person of their choice, and worship freely. But people who are not free are severely restricted, sometimes even persecuted or enslaved. In a restrictive, oppressive society, people often have to deal with prejudice, discrimination, and favoritism. They are seldom allowed to travel freely, worship, or choose the work they want to do. Personal ambition, goals, and initiative are usually repressed, and people have to work at jobs determined by government officials, which includes forced labor. 

Freedom is the subject of the present Scripture. The Lord clearly shows that He has a vital interest in people being set free from the bondages and enslavements of this life. Remember that Isaiah is predicting the Babylonian captivity of the Jews. But he also predicts that God will use human events in order to set His people free from their captivity. By His own power, God will liberate and restore His people to the promised land. But more important, true liberty—an inner peace and freedom—can come only through the Lord, the only living and true God. He and He alone have the power to set people free from the enslavements of this life, including the terrifying bondages of sin and death.

This is the subject of the present Scripture: Set Free by the Lord, the Only Living and True God, 44:1–28. 

1.      God’s people are set free by His promise: He will help Israel (redeemed believers) (vv. 1–8).

2.      God’s people are set free by knowing the folly of idolatry (vv. 9–20).

3.      God’s people are set free by returning to the Lord and by renewing their great hope in the promised land (vv. 21–28). 

God’s People are set Free by His promise:

He Will help Israel & (Redeemed Believers), (vv. 1–8). 

¹Listen to me, O my servant Israel, O my chosen ones:

²The Lord who made you, who will help you, says: O servant of mine, don’t be afraid. O Jerusalem, my chosen ones, don’t be afraid. ³For I will give you abundant water for your thirst and for your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit and my blessings on your children. ⁴They shall thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank. ⁵“I am the Lord’s,” they’ll proudly^a say, or “I am a Jew,” and tattoo upon their hands the name of God or the honored name of Israel.

⁶The Lord, the King of Israel, says—yes, it is Israel’s Redeemer, the Lord Almighty, who says it—I am the First and Last; there is no other God. ⁷Who else can tell you what is going to happen in the days ahead? Let them tell you if they can and prove their power. Let them do as I have done since ancient times. ⁸Don’t, don’t be afraid. Haven’t I proclaimed from ages past that I would save you^b? You are my witnesses—is there any other God? No! None that I know about! There is no other Rock!^[2] (44:1–8) 

God’s people are set free by His wonderful promise to help them as they walk through life. Note verse 2, where the Lord claims to be the only true God, the only One who can truly help people and deliver them from fear (v. 2; also see v. 8). The striking opening words, “now hear” (or “now listen”), set this Scripture off sharply from what has just been said. At the close of chapter 43, the Lord pronounced judgment upon the Israelites (vv. 26–28). But now the Lord gives an astounding promise: the destruction and shame of His people will not be total. He will not allow them to be completely destroyed, for they are His servant, whom He has chosen to be His righteous people. They are His witnesses to unbelievers who rebel against Him.

Note in God’s address to the people that the names “Jacob” and “Israel” are both used to refer to the entire nation. In God’s mind, there is no Northern or Southern Kingdom. His people are one nation, one people before Him. Hereafter, the division of the nation will be a thing of the past. His people are not to be divided but rather united in serving Him.

But as seen in the previous chapter, as well as throughout the book of Isaiah, the vast majority of the Israelites failed to serve God. Consequently, the hand of God’s judgment fell upon them. Even in the present Scripture, Isaiah predicts the future destruction of the nation and the exile of the survivors, as well as their return from captivity (vv. 8, 24–28). And yet again God makes a remarkable the most wonderful promise: in the midst of this terrifying trial, He will assist His people by helping them in six specific ways: 

1.      God’s people are set free by His promise: He will help Israel (redeemed believers) 

A. God Will Help His People by Assuring Them That They Belong to Him (V. 2). They are His people, His possession. This is a wonderful truth that should give every believer great reassurance. When believers know that they belong to God, they know that the Lord loves and cares for them and will provide whatever security, protection, and provision they need. Note that God gives believers three assurances to prove that they belong to Him:

Ø  God created them and formed them from the womb. This has a twofold application with Israel. Not only was each Israelite created by God, but also the nation as a whole. As a nation, Israel was created when God delivered the people from Egyptian bondage and based their society upon His laws at Mount Sinai. As individuals and as a nation, they were the Lord’s, and they belonged to Him because He was their Creator.

Ø  God chose the Israelites to be His servants, His very special witnesses to the world. Therefore, they could expect to have a very distinctive relationship with the Lord, a relationship that assured them of His presence and care.

Ø  God helps His people as they walk through life day by day. Hence, they need not fear when they face enemies and the hardships of life (vv. 2, 8).

V  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will” (Ep. 1:3–5).

V  “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy” (1 Pe. 2:9–10).

V  “For thou art a holy people unto the Lord thy God: The Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth” (De. 7:6).

V  “But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him” (Ps. 4:3). 

B. God Will Help His People by Blessing Them Both Physically and Spiritually (Vv. 3–5). Physically they will prosper because the Lord will send rain to water their fields and produce rich crops. Spiritually they will prosper because the Lord will pour out His Spirit on believers and their descendants. The same power that created physical life will create spiritual life. And by the power of God’s Spirit, the believer becomes a new creation, a new person (2 Co. 5:17; Ga. 6:15; Ep. 2:15; Ep. 4:22–24; Col. 3:10). Centuries earlier, the Lord had predicted the coming of His Spirit through Moses and the prophets (Nu. 11:29; Is. 32:15; 59:21; Eze. 36:24–28; 37:14; 39:29; Joel 2:25–29; Zec. 12:10). This prophecy was fulfilled by the coming of Christ to save and empower His people (Ac. 1:1–8; 2:1–4, 14–36). He empowers them through the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is God’s Spirit that causes believers to spring up and multiply in number as rapidly as grass and trees near streams of water (v. 4). Through the power of God’s Spirit, unbelievers will turn to the Lord and unashamedly identify with Him and His people (v. 5). True believers will profess that they belong to the Lord, and they will call themselves true Israelites (true Christians). With boldness, they will honor the Lord by confessing His Name. 

Thought 1. The work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers cannot be overemphasized. His work is stressed time and again throughout Scripture. Here are several of the Spirit’s major functions:

(1)   The Holy Spirit Comforts Believers, just as Christ Comforted His Followers When He Was on Earth.

V  “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever” (Jn. 14:16).

V  “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Ro. 8:16–17).

V  “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father” (Ga. 4:6).

V  “Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit” (1 Jn. 4:13).

(2)   The Holy Spirit Teaches Believers.

V  “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (Jn. 14:26).

V  “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak, and he will show you things to come” (Jn. 16:13).

V  “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth, comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Co. 2:13).

V  “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him” (1 Jn. 2:27).

(3)   The Holy Spirit Bears Strong Witness to The Work of Christ and Salvation.

V  “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me” (Jn. 15:26).

V  “He [the Holy Spirit] shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you” (Jn. 16:14–15).

V  “This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth” (1 Jn. 5:6).

(4)   The Holy Spirit Convicts Believers of Their Sin, Their Lack of Righteousness, and The Coming Judgment.

V  “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged” (Jn. 16:7–11).

(5)   The Holy Spirit Leads and Guides Believers.

V  “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak, and he will show you things to come” (Jn. 16:13).

V  “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Ro. 8:14).

(6)   The Holy Spirit Quickens or Gives Life to, Believers.

V  “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (Jn. 6:63).

V  “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you” (Ro. 8:11).

V  “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit” (1 Pe. 3:18).

(7) The Holy Spirit Dwells Within Believers, Making Them the Very Temples of God Himself.

V  “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you” (Jn. 14:17).

V  “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Ro. 8:9).

V  “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Co. 3:16).

V  “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Co. 6:19–20).

V  “That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us” (2 Ti. 1:14).

V  “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him” (1 Jn. 2:27).

V  “And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us” (1 Jn. 3:24). 

C. God Will Help His People by Declaring Who He Is, The Majestic Nature of His Being (V. 6). The four titles claimed by God should give great assurance to believers.

1) The Lord is the King and Redeemer of His people. As their King, He rules over them, governing and taking care of them, making sure their most basic needs are met. As Redeemer, He saves His people from all the bondages and enslavements of this life.

2) The Lord is the Lord of Hosts, or the Lord Almighty. The Lord possesses supreme power in the universe and controls all the hosts of beings, both in heaven and on earth. Thus, the believer can rest assured of God’s help when needs arise. No matter the severity of hardship or trial, the Lord Almighty will help His people. He is able to help them because He has the power to control all the beings in the universe.

3) The Lord Is the First and Last, The Eternal Being, Who Exists Above the Universe and Oversees Its Entire Operation. He was first, existing before the universe was created; and He will be last, existing when the history of the present universe ends. The Lord has always been on the scene, and He will be on the scene when it disappears in flames with a loud roar (2 Pe. 3:10–13). The Lord is the First and Last, the Beginning and Ending.

4) The Lord Alone is God. Apart from Him, there is no God. All other gods claimed by people are false. Therefore, believers who truly follow the Lord can rest assured that they have the Lord’s help. As the only living and true God, the Lord obviously loves His creation and possesses the power to help all who truly believe and follow Him. 

D. God Will Help His People by Proving That No One—No Person and No So-Called God—Is Like Him (V. 7). If any people think that they or their gods are equal to the Lord, let them stand up and defend their claim. Here, Isaiah is painting a picture of a legal trial. God puts these people and their gods on trial. They must appear before God and show that the prophecies they have proclaimed have actually come true. As far as the Lord is concerned, He can prove His case. By calling Abraham, He chose and established Israel to be His people (Ge. 12:1–3; 15:1–21). Then He not only foretold the building of a nation from this one man, but He also predicted event after event throughout the nation’s history. And now He is predicting their future captivity by Babylon and their release by the Persians (vv. 8, 21–28). No one is like the Lord, for He alone is omniscient. He alone knows all things and as such, He alone is able to foretell the future. Believers can be assured of God’s help and care in the future, for nothing takes Him by surprise.

V  “And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he” (Mk. 12:32).

V  “Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” (Ex. 15:11).

V  “Wherefore thou art great, O Lord God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears” (2 S. 7:22).

V  “And he said, Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart” (1 K. 8:23).

V  “For who in the heaven can be compared unto the Lord? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord?” (Ps. 89:6).

V  “To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?” (Is. 40:18). 

E. God Will Help His People by Delivering Them—The Redeemed—From Fear and Captivity (V. 8). This promise of help will be a great encouragement to God’s people, especially to those who will be taken captive by Babylon. Note that Isaiah is foretelling the Babylonian captivity years before it will take place. If God foresees the captivity and it actually takes place, the people can rest in His promise of their release and return to the promised land. Restoration is a certainty. Note why: because they are God’s witnesses, a people very special to Him. They are His people, His servants. There is no chance He will forget His people or forsake His servants.

V  “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Mt. 10:30–31).

V  “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (He. 2:14–15).

V  “Fear thou not; for I am with thee be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Is. 41:10).

V  “But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee” (Is. 43:1–2). 

F. God Will Help His People by Assuring Them That He Is the Rock, The Very Foundation of Life. No other person or so-called god can claim to be the Rock of life. No one can build a foundation solid enough for people to build their lives and faith upon, not eternally. Only the Lord is the Rock, the foundation that can provide eternal stability and security for people. As the Rock, the Lord is the believer’s foundation, strength, refuge, and security, both in this life and the next.

V  “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” (Mt. 7:24–27).

V  “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.” (1 Pe. 2:6).

V  “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he” (De. 32:4).

V  “For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges” (De. 32:31).

V  “There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God” (1 S. 2:2).

V  “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower” (Ps. 18:2).

V  “For who is God save the Lord? or who is a rock save our God?” (Ps. 18:31).

V  “Unto thee will I cry, O Lord my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit” (Ps. 28:1).

V  “Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved” (Ps. 62:1–2).

V  “But the Lord is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge” (Ps. 94:22).^[3] 

Has the time come in your life as with Israel that you are proud of belonging to God? If we are truly God’s, we should be unashamed and delighted to let everyone know about our relationship with him (44:8).

Remember, the manufactured idols were guilty of false advertising. They made big promises, but they were worthless and helpless. In contrast, God fulfills his claims and delivers on all his promises. God challenges us to be his witnesses. When we share our faith with those who can find no meaning in life or have no hope of eternal life, we are not proclaiming anything shoddy or unreliable. God is real and life with him is best. Pray for boldness in your life to share your faith in Christ with friends, relatives, and neighbors.^[4] 

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& and

^a 44:5  proudly, implied.

^b 44:8  that I would save you, implied.

^c 44:28  This was written many years before Cyrus began his meteoric rise to power.

^[1] Taylor, Kenneth Nathaniel. 1997. The Living Bible, Paraphrased. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.

^a 44:5  proudly, implied.

^b 44:8  that I would save you, implied.

^[2] Taylor, Kenneth Nathaniel. 1997. The Living Bible, Paraphrased. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.

^[3] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 2005. Isaiah: Chapters 36–66. Vol. II. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.

^[4] Life Application Bible Notes. 2007. Tyndale.