Isaiah 43                                                    3 October 2000

ENCOURAGEMENT TO BE GOOD SERVANTS OF THE LORD

ISRAEL- AS GOD'S SERVANT
"But you, Israel, are My servant,
Jacob, whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham, My friend" Isa. 41:8
1. Specially chosen to be God's servant
2. From Jacob to Israel
3. From Abraham's time till the present moment

ISRAEL- AS A FAILED SERVANT OF GOD
1. The many rebukes from the Lord reveal that Israel had failed miserably Cf. Isaiah 1-39
2. Israel given yet another chance to make good as God's servant Isa. 40-41
3. Israel to draw special encouragement from "The Servant of the LORD" Isa. 42

ENCOURAGEMENT TO TRY AGAIN
1. Words of encouragement from the Lord Himself, through His prophet Isa. 43:1
a) As Creator (of Israel) Isa. 43:1, 15
b) As Redeemer Isa. 43:1
c) As the Covenant "Lord (their) God" Isa. 43:3
d) As "The Holy One of Israel, (their) Saviour" Isa. 43:3

2. Special Promises
a) The Promise of God's Presence with Israel Isa. 43:2,5
b) Tender words of Divine Love Isa. 43:4
c) Promise of Restoration of Israel Isa. 43:5-6
d) Formed and Created to display "God's glory" Isa. 43:7

SERVING THE LORD AS HIS WITNESSES
1. Chosen to serve the Lord as His "witnesses" Isa. 43:10
2. Bearing witness in the following ways:-
a) Through our personal knowledge and belief of God Isa. 43:10
b) Through our declared belief that there are no gods but One, "The God of the Bible" Isa. 43:10-13
c) Through being witnesses of the "new things" that God will do
i) "A road in the wilderness" Isa. 43:19
ii) "Rivers in the desert" Isa. 43:19
iii) Even the wild animals will "bear witness" for the Lord and give Him honour Isa. 43:20
d) As God's servants, we should practise witnessing for the Lord through praising Him Isa. 43:21

ISRAEL'S FAILURE TO WORSHIP GOD AS THEY SHOULD
1. Weariness in worship Isa. 43:22-23
2. No special love gifts Isa. 43:24

REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS Isa. 43:25

REJECTION AND CONDEMNATION Isa. 43:26-28