Isaiah 43:3a For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…
As much comfort as the first two verses of Isaiah 43 brings me because of the reminder of God’s presence with me always, verses 3 and 4 make me a bit uncomfortable because it sounds like God is exchanging others for me. Commentary that I can find skirts around this particular exchange and focuses on the parts that bring me comfort and joy–God’s presence, His love, even in trials.
Isaiah 43:3b …I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead.
The God that I serve is not an either–or God. He doesn’t knock someone out of His favor to have room for me. His Son left the 99 to save the 1, I cannot fathom God making that exchange in reverse: whole countries in exchange for me. So what’s going on here? I wish I knew.
Isaiah 43:4a Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you…
Lord, Thank You for the comfort that I find in Isaiah 43. Thank You for the reassurances and reminders it entails. Thank You that I can find comfort and peace even if I still have questions. Thank You for being a God who allows me to question and struggle and seek so that my relationship with You is real and solid and eternal. Thank You. Amen.
Isaiah 43:4b …I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.
Have a blessed day.