Isaiah 43:3 Study Bible: For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I have given Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place.

◄ Isaiah 43:3 ►

For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place.

Study Bible

For I am the LORD your God
This phrase establishes the identity and authority of the speaker, Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. The Hebrew word for "LORD" is "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God, emphasizing His eternal existence and unchanging nature. "God" in Hebrew is "Elohim," a plural form that denotes majesty and power. This introduction reassures the Israelites of God's sovereignty and His personal relationship with them as their protector and guide.

the Holy One of Israel
This title, "the Holy One of Israel," underscores God's purity, separateness, and moral perfection. "Holy" in Hebrew is "qadosh," meaning set apart or sacred. This designation is significant in the context of Israel's history, as it reminds them of God's unique relationship with them and His call for them to be a holy nation. It also serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises despite Israel's frequent unfaithfulness.

your Savior
The term "Savior" in Hebrew is "moshia," which means deliverer or rescuer. This word highlights God's role in delivering Israel from bondage and danger, both physically and spiritually. Historically, this would remind the Israelites of their deliverance from Egypt and other instances of divine intervention. It also foreshadows the ultimate salvation through Jesus Christ, who Christians believe fulfills this role as the Savior of all humanity.

I give Egypt for your ransom
The concept of "ransom" involves a price paid for liberation. In Hebrew, "ransom" is "kofer," which implies a substitutionary sacrifice. This phrase suggests that God values Israel so highly that He is willing to exchange other nations for their freedom. Historically, this could refer to the geopolitical shifts where God allowed other nations to be conquered or subdued for the sake of Israel's preservation and prosperity.

Cush and Seba in your place
Cush and Seba refer to regions in Africa, often associated with wealth and power. By mentioning these nations, God emphasizes the extent of His commitment to Israel. The historical context may involve alliances and conflicts where these nations were involved, illustrating God's providential control over world events for the benefit of His chosen people. This assurance would inspire confidence in God's protective care and His ability to orchestrate history for His purposes.

Persons / Places / Events

1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature and His relationship with Israel.

2. Israel
The chosen people of God, to whom this message is directed, representing God's covenant community.

3. Egypt
A powerful nation often seen as an oppressor of Israel, symbolizing worldly power and bondage.

4. Cush
A region south of Egypt, often associated with wealth and military strength.

5. Seba
A region in Africa, possibly part of modern-day Sudan, known for its riches and trade.

Teaching Points

God's Sovereignty and Faithfulness
God declares His identity as the LORD and the Holy One of Israel, emphasizing His unchanging nature and faithfulness to His covenant promises.

The Cost of Redemption
The mention of Egypt, Cush, and Seba as a ransom highlights the value God places on His people and the lengths He will go to redeem them.

God as Savior
The title "Savior" underscores God's role in delivering His people from physical and spiritual bondage, pointing to the ultimate salvation through Jesus Christ.

Trust in God's Deliverance
Believers are encouraged to trust in God's ability to deliver them from their own "Egypts"—situations of bondage or oppression.

God's Global Plan
The inclusion of nations like Egypt, Cush, and Seba hints at God's broader plan for all nations, foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles in the New Covenant.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does understanding God as "the Holy One of Israel" impact your view of His character and His promises?

2. In what ways can you identify "Egypts" in your life from which you need God's deliverance?

3. How does the concept of God giving nations as a ransom for Israel enhance your understanding of the value He places on His people?

4. How can the assurance of God as your Savior influence your response to current challenges or fears?

5. Reflect on how the inclusion of nations like Egypt, Cush, and Seba in God's plan encourages you to view His work in the world today. How can this perspective shape your prayers and actions?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Exodus 20:2
This verse connects to the identity of God as the deliverer of Israel from Egypt, reinforcing His role as Savior.

Isaiah 19:25
This passage speaks of Egypt being blessed by God, showing a future hope and redemption even for those who were once enemies.

Matthew 1:21
The name "Jesus" means "The LORD saves," connecting the role of God as Savior in Isaiah to the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:18-19
This passage speaks of redemption not with perishable things but with the precious blood of Christ, paralleling the concept of ransom in Isaiah 43:3.

Sermons

Egypt, Ethiopia, Seba	Prof J. Skinner, D. D.	Isaiah 43:3
God the Savior	R. Tuck	Isaiah 43:3
God's Redemption of Israel	J. A. Alexander.	Isaiah 43:3
Jehovah's Valuation of His People		Isaiah 43:3
Seba	Prof J. Skinner, D. D.	Isaiah 43:3
Divine Consolation	W. Reading, M. A.	Isaiah 43:1-4
Fear Not	E. Garbett.	Isaiah 43:1-4
Four Contrasts		Isaiah 43:1-4
God's Claim on The	A. J. Lyman, D. D.	Isaiah 43:1-4
Guarantees	T. Davies, M. A.	Isaiah 43:1-4
Israel Called by Name	J. A. Alexander.	Isaiah 43:1-4
Love Abounding, Love Complaining, Love Abiding		Isaiah 43:1-4
Named and Claimed	A. J. Lyman, D. D.	Isaiah 43:1-4
The Divine Responsibility	R. Thomas, D. D.	Isaiah 43:1-4
The Exhortation and Promises of God to the Afflicted	C. Bradley, M. A.	Isaiah 43:1-4
The Goodness of God to Israel	D. Rees.	Isaiah 43:1-4
The Right of the Creator	J. Parker, D. D.	Isaiah 43:1-4
The True Relation of Israel to Jehovah	J. A. Alexander.	Isaiah 43:1-4
Thou Art Mine	J. Parker, D. D.	Isaiah 43:1-4
The Love of Jehovah to Israel	E. Johnson	Isaiah 43:1-7
The Goodness of God to Man	W. Clarkson	Isaiah 43:3-7

People

Babylonians, Isaiah, Jacob, Seba

Places

Babylon, Cush, Egypt, Israel, Jerusalem, Seba

Topics

Appointed, Atonement, Cush, Egypt, Ethiopia, Exchange, Holy, Price, Ransom, Savior, Saviour, Seba, Stead

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Isaiah 43:3

1150 God, truth of
1513 Trinity, mission of

Isaiah 43:1-3

5480 protection
6721 redemption, in life

Isaiah 43:1-4

6722 redemption, OT

Isaiah 43:1-5

6109 alienation

Isaiah 43:1-7

7388 kinsman-redeemer

Isaiah 43:1-13

5805 comfort

Isaiah 43:2-3

5566 suffering, encouragements in

Isaiah 43:3-4

5974 value

Isaiah 43:3-5

6714 ransom

Library

The Grace of God
TEXT: "I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins."--Isaiah 43:25. In looking over an old volume of Sermons preached by H. Grattan Guiness, forty-five years ago, I came across the message which he delivered with this text as a basis. So deep was the impression made upon me by my first reading of the sermon that I have taken Mr. Guiness' outline and ask your careful attention to its development. If one should enter a jewelry store and …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas Iscariot

Thy Name: My Name
'I have called thee by thy name.'--ISAIAH xliii. 1. 'Every one that is called by My name.'--ISAIAH xliii. 7. Great stress is laid on names in Scripture. These two parallel and antithetic clauses bring out striking complementary relations between God and the collective Israel. But they are as applicable to each individual member of the true Israel of God. I. What does God's calling a man by his name imply? 1. Intimate knowledge. Adam naming the creatures. Christ naming His disciples. 2. Loving friendship. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

February the Fourth Spiritual Buoyancy
"When thou passeth through the waters they shall not overflow thee." --ISAIAH xliii. 1-7. When Mrs. Booth, the mother of the Salvation Army, was dying, she quietly said, "The waters are rising but I am not sinking." But then she had been saying that all through her life. Other floods besides the waters of death had gathered about her soul. Often had the floods been out and the roads were deep in affliction. But she had never sunk! The good Lord made her buoyant, and she rode upon the storm! This, …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

October the Eighth God's Glorious Purpose
"I have created him for My glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him." --ISAIAH xliii. 1-7. That is surely a superlative honour! "I have created him for My glory." I stood before one of Turner's paintings, and a man of fine judgment said to me, "That is Turner's glory!" He meant that in that picture the genius and the power and the grace of Turner were most abundantly expressed. And it is the will of God that man should express His glory, and by his righteousness and goodness witness to the …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Forgiveness
We shall notice first, this morning, the recipients of mercy--the persons of whom the Lord is here speaking; secondly, the deed of mercy,--"I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions;" thirdly, the reason for mercy--"for mine own sake;" and fourthly, the promise of mercy-- "I will not remember thy sins." I. We are about to see who are THE RECIPIENTS OF MERCY; and I would have you all listen; peradventure there be some strayed in here who are the very chief of sinners--some who have sinned …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855

North and South
At this moment, my brethren and sisters, we who follow the footsteps of King Jesus are soldiers of an army which has invaded this world. This land belongs to our great Leader, for he made it. It was right that everywhere, all round the globe, his name should he honored, for he is the King among the nations, and the governor thereof: But our race has revolted, set up another monarch, and bowed its strength to support another dynasty--the dynasty of darkness and death. Our race has broken the good …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Fire! Fire! Fire!
We shall talk of three things, this morning, as the Holy Ghost may enable us; first of all, a terrible pathway,--walking around the fire; secondly, an awful danger,--the danger of being burned and utterly consumed; and thirdly, a double insurance,--"Thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the fire kindle upon thee." I. First, then, let us speak a little upon this TERRIBLE PATHWAY. The sacramental host of God's elect has never had an easy road along which to journey. I see the fields on fire, the …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 7: 1861

Redeemed Souls Freed from Fear.
A TALK WITH A FEW FRIENDS AT MENTONE. "Fear not: for I have redeemed thee."--Isaiah xliii. 1. REDEEMED SOULS FREED FROM FEAR. I WAS lamenting this morning my unfitness for my work, and especially for the warfare to which I am called. A sense of heaviness came over me, but relief came very speedily, for which I thank the Lord. Indeed, I was greatly burdened, but the Lord succoured me. The first verse read at the Sabbath morning service exactly met my case. It is in Isaiah xliii. 1: "But now thus saith …
Charles Hadden Spurgeon—Till He Come

How to Make Use of Christ for Steadfastness, in a Time when Truth is Oppressed and Borne Down.
When enemies are prevailing, and the way of truth is evil spoken of, many faint, and many turn aside, and do not plead for truth, nor stand up for the interest of Christ, in their hour and power of darkness: many are overcome with base fear, and either side with the workers of iniquity, or are not valiant for the truth, but being faint-hearted, turn back. Now the thoughts of this may put some who desire to stand fast, and to own him and his cause in a day of trial, to enquire how they shall make …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

The Nature of Justification
Justification in the active sense (iustificatio, {GREEK SMALL LETTER DELTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA}) is defined by the Tridentine Council as "a translation from that state wherein man is born a child of the first Adam, to the state of grace and of the adoption of the sons of God through the second Adam, …
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and Habitual

Means to be Used with Sinners.
Text.--Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen.--Isaiah xliii: 10. IN the text it is affirmed of the children of God, that they are his witnesses. In several preceding lectures I have been dwelling on the subject of Prayer, or that department of means for the promotion of a revival, which is intended to move God to pour out his Spirit. I am now to commence the other department: MEANS TO BE USED FOR THE CONVICTION AND CONVERSION OF SINNERS. It is true, in general, that …
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

Mirrors of God
... That ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness ...'--1 Peter ii. 9. The Revised Version, instead of 'praises,' reads excellencies--and even that is but a feeble translation of the remarkable word here employed. For it is that usually rendered 'virtues'; and by the word, of course, when applied to God, we mean the radiant excellencies and glories of His character, of which our earthly qualities, designated by the same name, are but as shadows. It is, indeed, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

Eleventh Day. The Holy one of Israel.
I am the Lord that brought you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God; ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. I the Lord which make you holy, am holy.'--Lev. xi. 45, xxi. 8. 'I am the Lord Thy God, the Holy One of Israel, Thy Saviour. Thus saith the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.'--Isa. xliii. 3, 14, 15. In the book of Exodus we found God making provision for the Holiness of His people. In the holy …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

A Call to Prayer and Testimony
Mark well, beloved, how he would have his people to be in tune with himself! He will have no rest till salvation work is done; and he would not have us take rest; but he would have us stirred with passionate desire, and fired with holy zeal for the accomplishment of the divine plan of grace. Till he holds his peace he will not allow us to be silent. You that have the Revised Version will be struck with the more literal and forcible rendering of our text--"Ye that are the Lord's remembrancers, take …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

His Legacy.
BLESSED and ever precious are the words, which came from the lips of our loving Lord, before he went to the cross. His own were gathered around Him; before He ever comforted them and poured out His loving heart, He manifested that love by serving them. He arose from the supper, laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. What a sight the Son of God girded! "After that He poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was …
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory

Epistle xxx. To Venantius, Ex-Monk, Patrician of Syracuse .
To Venantius, Ex-Monk, Patrician of Syracuse [138] . Gregory to Venantius, &c. In addressing to you the greeting which is due I was intending to speak of what I suffer. But I think I need not relate to you what you know. For I am tormented by pains of gout, which, afflicting not dissimilarly both me and you, while they increase upon us exceedingly, have caused our life to decrease. In the midst of them what else should we do but recall our faults to mind, and give thanks to Almighty God? For we …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

God's True Treasure in Man
'The Lord's portion is His people; Jacob is the lot of His inheritance.'--DEUT, xxxii.9. 'Jesus Christ (Who) gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people.'--TITUS ii. 14. I choose these two texts because they together present us with the other side of the thought to that which I have elsewhere considered, that man's true treasure is in God. That great axiom of the religious consciousness, which pervades the whole of Scripture, is rapturously …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

God's Works of Providence
Rom. xi. 36.--"For of him, and through him, and to him are all things, to whom be glory for ever, Amen."--Psal. ciii. 19.--"The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens and his kingdom ruleth over all."--Matt. x. 29.--"Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father." There is nothing more commonly confessed in words, than that the providence of God reaches to all the creatures and their actions, but I believe there is no point of religion …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

How they are to be Admonished who Lament Sins of Deed, and those who Lament Only Sins of Thought.
(Admonition 30.) Differently to be admonished are those who deplore sins of deed, and those who deplore sins of thought. For those who deplore sins of deed are to be admonished that perfected lamentations should wash out consummated evils, lest they be bound by a greater debt of perpetrated deed than they pay in tears of satisfaction for it. For it is written, He hath given us drink in tears by measure (Ps. lxxix. 6): which means that each person's soul should in its penitence drink the tears …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Fifth Day. Holiness and Redemption.
Sanctify unto me all the first-born.'--Ex. xiii. 2. 'All the first-born are mine; for on the day I smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt I sanctified unto me all the first-born in Israel: mine they shall be: I am the Lord.'--Num. iii. 13, viii. 17. 'For I am the Lord your God that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.'--Lev. xi. 45. 'I have redeemed thee; thou art mine.'--Isa. xliii. 1. At Horeb we saw how the …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

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