Isaiah 43

Sermon Notes:

1) No Fear, 43:1-7

2) No Rivals, 43:8-19

3) New Exodus, 43:16-28

4) New Israel, 44:1-5

Reflection questions:

1) In Matthew 10:28, Jesus tells us not to fear man, but to fear God, “who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” In Isaiah 43, God tell His people not to fear, and then lists all of the reasons to trust Him, including His great power (vv3, 8- 15). How are both commands based on God’s superior power?

2) How does knowing that God has no rivals (vv8-13) help you avoid trusting idols? What does this (from John Calvin) mean: “The human heart is a perpetual idol factory”?

3) How is the salvation that Christ brings like a new and better Exodus? (See Exodus 20:1-2; John 8:34; Gal 4:8; Romans 6:15-23.)