In light of our trip to Israel in 2011 and our interactions with the Messianic Jews there, this verse is especially meaningful to us. These people referred to in this passage would be all believers in Jesus as Messiah, the Messianic Jews, the scattered tribes of Israel, and the Gentiles.
Isa 44:5 One person will say, "I belong to the LORD." Another will call on the name of Jacob. Another will write on his hand, "The LORD'S," and he will adopt the name of Israel.
Under the heading, FUTILITY OF IDOLATRY, Isaiah speaks of the ridiculousness of their worship of idols and calls the people to account. The theme seems to be this.
God made man and said, "Worship Me!"
Man made idols and said, "We worship you, our idols."
Creation should worship the Creator, not the creator worship their own creation.
Isaiah makes a couple of accurate prophecies about Cyrus king of Persia 150 years before it really happened.
In today's reading, God makes it very clear that once He acts, no one can change it.
Isa 43:13
Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?"
Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?"
John 10:28-30
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one."
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one."
The following passages make more connections between Old and New Testaments.
Isa 44:6
"This is what the LORD says-- Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.
"This is what the LORD says-- Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.
Rev 22:13
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
And more connections…
Isa 44:8
Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one."
Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one."
1 Cor 10:4
and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.
and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.
And even more connections…
Isa 44:24
"This is what the LORD says-- your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: (see Psalm 139) I am the LORD, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself,
"This is what the LORD says-- your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: (see Psalm 139) I am the LORD, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself,
John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
And still more…
Isa 45:3
I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.
I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.
John 10:3
The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
And one final amazing thought for today...
Isaiah 45:4b
I summon you by name and bestow on you a title of honor, though you do not acknowledge me.
Even though we as Believers do not acknowledge Him, He still bestows on us a title of honor! Ponder that today!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment