Isaiah 43 has long been one of my favorite portions of Scripture. Specifically, Isaiah 43:1:
But now, this is what the Lord says- he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”
I probably think about this verse more than any other, but this week when I was reading through Isaiah, I started having questions.
Throughout my life, many godly people have referenced and used in prayer this verse and others like it by substituting personal names. In the case of Isaiah 43:1, the name of a person would replace Jacob and Israel. I’ve never questioned this. I’ve done it. I want God to personally say to me: “Do not fear, I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” That’s powerful and comforting.
Now, some of those godly people who are obsessed with Israel and the Zionist political movement complain about Christians claiming the promises of the Jewish people.
Is not Isaiah 43:1 a promise to Jacob/Israel? How can the Zionists reconcile using their name in place of Jacob and Israel in Scripture? Is Isaiah 43:1 a promise to Christians? Is Isaiah and other Scripture in the Old Testament only for the Jewish people?
I don’t think so. But some might call that antisemitic now. God, show me if I’m wrong.
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