Another in the Fire

Yahweh created Jacob and formed Israel. Now, this is what Yahweh says:

Do not be afraid, because I have reclaimed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you go through the sea, I am with you.
When you go through rivers, they will not sweep you away.
When you walk through fire, you will not be burned,
and the flames will not harm you.
I am Yahweh your Elohim, Qedosh Yisrael, your Savior.
Egypt is the ransom I exchanged for you.
Sudan and Seba are the price I paid for you. – Isaiah 43:1-3, Names of God Version

This week, we’re looking at the Holy One of Israel. The passage above is undoubtedly my favorite Holy One of Israel reference. Before we dig in, here’s a song to prepare your heart. It’s from the Truth Songs YouTube channel – beautiful, unadorned scripture sung with reverence.

This passage is bold and far-reaching and jam-packed with promise and prophecy. First, Yahweh, the Set Apart one declares he’s called Israel by name and claimed her.

What’s in it for Israel?

• When you go through the sea, I am with you – the Exodus from Egypt, Exodus 14. A reminder of what he’s done for them.

• When you go through rivers, they will not sweep you away – crossing the Jordan River when it was at flood stage, Joshua 3. Another reminder.

• When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and the flames will not harm you. Wait, what? Isaiah died around 686 BC. Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael were thrown in the fiery furnace more than a century later. Daniel 3. Woah! I love this. Don’t you know when Jesus appeared in the furnace with them, they just knew this was what Isaiah had foretold?

Our Qedosh Yisrael is for us. Spend some time today thanking him that you are his. Here’s another song to lead you into worship.

More on the last two lines of this passage tomorrow – it’s more about prophecy and God keeping short accounts, so I wanted to separate it from the Names of God study, but if you’re confused  by the reference to Sudan and Seba, you won’t want to miss it!