You Are Mine
Scripture Reading: Genesis 25:19-26; Isaiah 43:1
But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1
Observation:
I love that our reading gives us a glimpse of Jacob’s story to go with our key verse. From the brief glimpse we learn not just that Jacob was the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the grandson of Abraham, but I love that we also see that Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of Rebekah because she was childless. Not only did God answer Isaac’s prayer but He filled her womb with twins. We will look more at Jacob through the story in Genesis in the coming days but today we find a message delivered to “Jacob” by Isaiah the Prophet.
First let’s establish that Isaiah’s message is from God, then we should clarify who Isaiah is speaking to. While Isaiah references both Jacob and Israel, it is helpful to know that these names are now synonymous. This is because God had renamed Jacob Israel after he overcame his struggle with God (Gen 32:8). At some point the names also became the name of God’s people which can add some confusion when reading through certain passages. Suffice it to say for this passage, Isaiah’s use of the names are both in reference to the people.
A Message of Hope
So, here in Isaiah 43:1, God is delivering a message of hope through Isaiah to His people, the people He had chosen, or as stated here – those He had formed and called by name. A more in-depth reading of Isaiah 43 would reveal that God’s people would be scattered to other nations – thus the message of hope in verse one. God is telling them not to be afraid when troubles come because He would protect them, and as Isaiah goes on to say, God would gather them back together again.
Application: How Then Should We Live?
While God sent this message specifically to the Jewish people, we can rest assured that it also applies to us who are believers in Jesus Christ. For according to Galatians 3:6-9, which we will look at on day five of our study, we are the children of Abraham, grafted in through our faith in Christ, (Rom 11:17).
In the same way, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” 7The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God. 8What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would make the Gentiles right in his sight because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith.
Galatians 3:6-9
This is one of my favorite truths of Scripture, as I imagine it brings me the same hope it brought to those in Isaiah’s day, to know that He calls me by name and will protect me, therefore I do not need to be afraid. Such truth and hope speaks peace to the fears, troubles, and concerns of this life.
Prayer: Response to God’s Word
Father, what an awesome God you are and have always been and always will be! You love with an everlasting love, grafting us in to Your family so that we can claim Your promises that are yes and amen in Jesus Christ. Thank You that we do not have to be afraid, for we know you are with us and will protect us because You have called us by name – we are Yours! Amen and Amen! In Jesus Name –
Your Turn:
Find a journal and jot down your thoughts/answers. I believe you will find it a great enhancement to the study.
- What’s your take away from today’s reading?
- Why is our faith important to God?
- Why is obedience to God’s commands important?
- How are the two related?
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