God Claims and Cares for Israel

Probing Your Own Heart

What evidence can you offer of God being with you?

Do you believe that you were created for His glory?

Building on Some Foundational Concepts

The redeemed bear the Redeemer's name.

For millennia, a given family name has been very important. Those who bear that name are generally expected to give a good account of themselves lest they bring reproach on the family name. I think of that as I consider part of Isaiah 43:1 -- "I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name." Having been chosen and redeemed by Him, ancient Israel bore His name. How often they brought reproach on themselves and on His name! That would surely qualify as one way of taking His name in vain. We too bear His name. Let's not do so in vain. Let's hold it fast so that He is not ashamed to be called our God (Revelation 2:13; Hebrews 11:16).

The Redeemer shepherds the redeemed.

When the Lord redeems us and allows us to bear His name, He also takes responsibility for us. He becomes our shepherd, promising His presence for the future ("I will be with thee" -- Isaiah 43:2) as well as for the present ("I am with thee" -- Isaiah 43:5). "The LORD is my shepherd.... Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life" (Psalm 23:1,6). "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine" (John 10:11,14).

The Redeemer commissions the redeemed as witnesses.

By accepting redemption, we accept the honor and responsibility of telling others about our Redeemer. He sends us to the task just as the Father sent Him (John 17:18; 20:21)! So take His name, take His message, and go (Acts 1:8; 1 John 1:5).

Questions and Responses

What relationship exists between being precious in God's sight and being honorable?

The first half of Isaiah 43:4 establishes a fascinating connection between our standing before God and our character: "Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable." The fact that God has chosen and redeemed us puts a distinct value on our person and an outstanding stamp on our character. Those who recognize and accept that they are precious to God develop into people of honor. Following are three more reminders of this.

"Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine" (Exodus 19:5).

"For thou art an 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" (Deuteronomy 7:6).

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" (1 Peter 2:9).

Shouldn't we be more flexible regarding the way to redemption?

Absolutely not! God shows no flexibility in the matter -- why should we? Jesus Christ is the only way to God. He is the only Saviour.

"I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour" (Isaiah 43:11).

"And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life" (1 John 5:11,12).