Isaiah 44:1-28

Isaiah: God controls the nations

God promises comfort to his people

Isaiah Chapter s 40 to 48

Norman Hillyer

Chapter 44

The connection between Chapter s 43 and 44 is similar to the connection between Chapter s 42 and 43.

• Chapter 42 ended with words that accused the people from Israel. Then chapter 43 began ‘But now…’, and it went on to describe the new situation. The people would soon be able to return to their own country.

• In the same way, chapter 43 ended with words that accused the people from Israel. Then chapter 44 begins ‘But now…’. This phrase begins a passage that will encourage God’s people. So God gives hope to his people.

God will *bless his people

v1 But now, Jacob my servant, listen. Hear, Israel, my people whom I have chosen. v2 The *Lord created you in the beginning. He formed you into the nation called Israel from birth. (That is, from the start of the nation.) He will continue to help you. Listen to what he says: ‘You must not be afraid, Jacob my servant, Jeshuran (Israel) whom I have chosen. And whom I love so deeply. v3 I pour water onto dry ground. And I create streams to flow in the desert. So I will pour my Spirit upon your children. And I will greatly *bless the future members of your family. v4 They will grow like grass grows near water. And they will grow like green trees by a flowing river. v5 Some people will say that they belong to the *Lord. Some foreigners will say that their name is now Jacob. That is, that they have come to join the people from Israel. Some people will write on their hands that they belong to the *Lord. And other people will be proud to add the name of God’s people, Israel, to their own names.’