43:1 But now thus saith the LORD {a} that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, {b} Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called [thee] by thy name; thou [art] mine.
(a) After these threatenings he promises deliverance to his Church, because he has regenerated them, adopted them, and called them.
(b) When you see dangers and conspiracies on all sides, remember this benefit and the love of your God, and it will encourage you.
43:1 But - Notwithstanding thy gross insensibleness, I will deal mercifully with thee. Created - That made thee his people, and that in so miraculous a manner as if he had created thee a second time. Redeemed - From the Egyptians. Called thee - By the name of God's people, which was as proper and peculiar to them, as the name of Israel.
43:1-7 God's favour and good-will to his people speak abundant comfort to all believers. The new creature, wherever it is, is of God's forming. All who are redeemed with the blood of his Son, he has set apart for himself. Those that have God for them need not fear who or what can be against them. What are Egypt and Ethiopia, all their lives and treasures, compared with the blood of Christ? True believers are precious in God's sight, his delight is in them, above any people. Though they went as through fire and water, yet, while they had God with them, they need fear no evil; they should be born up, and brought out. The faithful are encouraged. They were to be assembled from every quarter. And with this pleasing object in view, the prophet again dissuades from anxious fears.
