“Fear Not” Isaiah 43:1-7

What a magnificent book we have before us. Isaiah, the prince of prophecy, is writing a very encouraging message to Judah, informing her that God promises to restore her to the land, Jerusalem. This chapter is in the comforting section of the book. In contrast to the first section that emphasizes denunciation (chapters 1-39), the second section focuses on deliverance (chapters 40-66). Within chapters 40-66, there are three sections with the following messages: the promise that Judah will be restored to the land (40- 48); the surety of the coming of the Messiah (49-57); and the blessings of the Millennium for Israel will come (58-66).

Isaiah was a great prophet of God, who primarily had a message to Judah. At the point of his messages, Judah had not yet gone into captivity (the date of 586 B.C.). Although the people of Judah had not yet experienced captivity, Isaiah’s prophetic vision looked beyond that dismal period to the future blessings of the kingdom. With a sense of confidence, in reading this section, I would like to summarize Isaiah’s message this way: Judah will be captured and exiled to Babylon, but looking beyond that dreadful scene, Judah will be restored, not only to her land, but will experience the blessings of the Millennium. What a wonderful message of comfort that is being depicted in this section. Looking through his prophetic telescope, Isaiah was prophesying from the immediate present, but glides right on to the future.

As we glance at our subject, “Fear Not”, I would like to define the word, “fear.” The word “fear” can be defined as “a feeling that danger or evil is near; be afraid of; an uneasy feeling or idea; to be restless, disturbed, anxious.” Our text offers comfort to Judah, who will experience being captured by Babylon and go into captivity, yet she will be fully restored. In Isaiah 40:2, Isaiah had already comforted her by telling Judah she has paid in full punishment of her sins, for that verse reads: “Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.” Although Israel had sinned grievously in disregarding the law, God promises to recapture her and restore her to the land.

Our text offers three reasons not to fear. The first reason Israel is not to fear is because God created her. Even though going through a terrible period, Israel need not fear because God will protect her (v. 1-2). In verses 3-4, the second reason that Israel should not fear is because God loves her. His love for her is not based on any merit that she possesses, but it is because God chose her (v. 3-4). Lastly, the third reason Israel is not to fear is that God promised to re-gather them to their land (v. 5-7). Having discussed the fears that Israel faced, and the assurances that God’s word offered to her, what is your greatest fear? Is it death? I know that death is a terror, and has been a tyrant, but one needs not fear. Christ has conquered death, for Paul makes this emphatic statement – “O death, where is thy string? O grave, where is thy victory” (I Corinthians 15:55). And because Christ has gained victory over death, believers will do also!

May God truly bless!