“And now thus says the Lord that created you, O Jacob, and He that formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called on your name, [for] you are Mine'.” (Isaiah 43:1)
This is one of the transcendental messages in the Hebrew Bible, for it defines and highlights the Jewish identity. All is contained in this statement. By all we mean everything related to the existence of Israel and the connection to the Creator.
Calling Jacob as Israel by name is the way to identify what God's chosen people mean to Him. We also realize from this the meanings of God's creation and formation of Israel, which have a purpose in His plan for the world. In this realization there is no reason to fear. God is with us because we belong to Him, and in the awareness of this connection we are indeed redeemed.
“When you pass into waters, I am with you. And into floods, they do not overflow you. When you go into fire, you are not burnt; and a flame does not burn against you.” (43:2)
Even in the journeys and perils to discover, learn, live and manifest our Jewish identity, God is with us. In these process we face the seductions of ego's fantasies and illusions that trigger negative traits and trends in consciousness that divert us from the goodness of Love's ways and attributes as material reflections of God's Love.
“For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Redeemer. I have appointed Egypt [as] your atonement, Cush and Seba in your place.” (43:3)
This is another fundamental statement to herald the Final Redemption and the Messianic Consciousness. Our Redemption comes only from our Creator and none else, and this excludes intermediaries. Also the direct prophecy that the Final Redemption is manifest through Whom is the Sacred One of Israel, for the Jewish people are the destined messengers of God's Final Redemption. Egypt, Cush and Seba are mentioned as nations with different purposes in God's plan, with which the people of Israel have been related, either for negative or positive experiences.
“Since you have been precious in My eyes, you have been honored, and I have loved you. And I appoint men in your place, and nations for your life.” (43:4)
God reaffirms His Covenant with Israel as the inheritor of the Torah and its legacy for the world. In this context we are precious to Him, and by this we are honored, for God's Love is our Essence, true identity and common bond with Him. Hence God assigns different duties to the nations in order to preserve Israel's mission in the world.
“Be not afraid, for I am with you. From the east I bring in your seed, and from the west I gather you. I am saying to the north, 'Give up'; and to the south, 'Restrain not'. Bring in My sons from afar, and My daughters from the end of the earth. For My honor I have created him [Jacob], I have formed him [Israel]. Yea, I have made him.” (43:5-7)
God tells us that Israel's mission is not easy. Hence the fear of the nations' opposition and rejection of His will, and their persecution looking forward to destroy the Jewish people throughout history. In spite of our awareness of God's Presence in our lives through Love's ways and attributes, we still fear the negative trends in consciousness.
God also knows our weaknesses, and He promises to redeem us by revitalizing our Essence and identity as the seed He nurtures in order to turn it into an abundant harvest. He takes us from the corners of the world, and releases us from the oppression and constraints of evil and negativity. He will gather us all, for we are His sons and daughters that He created for His will.
“He brought out a blind people who have eyes, and deaf ones who have ears.” (43:8)
God promises to transform our consciousness from the stubbornness of our addictions, attachments, obsessions and narrow-mindedness to the total freedom of living in Love's ways and attributes, opposite to the negative traits and trends of ego's fantasies and illusions.
“All the nations have been gathered together, and the peoples are assembled. Who among them declares this, and former things causes us to hear? They give their witnesses, and they are declared righteous, and they hear and say, 'Truth'.” (43:9)
God challenges ego's materialistic desires and their negative trends as the nations that claim to be better than the goodness of Love's ways and attributes, represented by Israel's Essence and identity. Their truth can't stand, for there is nothing righteous or positive in their predicament.
“You are My witnesses, an affirmation of the Lord. And My servant whom I have chosen, so that you know and give credence to Me. And understand that I am the One, before Me there was no god formed, and after Me there is none.” (43:10)
God brings Israel, His chosen servant, as the messenger of the highest good He wants to make prevail in human consciousness. Through Israel we acknowledge God's will as the truth all are destined to believe and give credence. The truth that proclaims God's Oneness and Uniqueness, as the only Creator and Owner of all.
Once more He warns us about the idolatry of ego's fantasies and illusions, instead of the service of His ways and attributes as our true identity and purpose in life. Again, He reminds us that He as our Creator is also our One and only God and Redeemer.
“I Myself, I am the Lord, and besides Me there is no redeemer.” (43:11)
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