Isaiah 43:1-7

This week’s Scripture reading is Isaiah 43:1-7. This reading is taken from the second of three segments that comprise our Book of Isaiah, commonly known as The Book of Consolation. It is set in the second half of the 6th century BCE, when the Persian king Cyrus has conquered the Babylonians and allowed the exiled Israelites the right of return to rebuild Judah and its capitol city Jerusalem.

As you read Isaiah 43:1-7, imagine yourself as an exiled citizen of a conquered nation being told that your nation’s “redemption” (v. 2) has come.

Now re-read the passage, hearing it speak to your own life.

What has always struck me about this passage is the way the Lord says, simply, “I love you” (v. 4). This is not an expression of romantic love to an individual, but of parental love to an entire people. Consider how remarkable (and wonderful!) it is that our sacred text reveals a God who can be affectionate with those whom God has created.