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Scripture Guide

Isaiah 43:1-7

Author

Stuart R. Strachan, Jr.

Keywords (10)

Scripture (2)

Updated

Dec 5, 2024

Preaching Commentary

Introduction

Isaiah 43:1-7 is a prophecy of hope. Because of God's grace, he will rescue his people out of captivity and, having never given up on them, continue to shape and form them into his image.

Context: Captivity & Judgment

The text immediately preceding this passage is crucial to understanding the context. Some will treat the two passages as one (Is 42:10 and 43:1-7) because 43 is a response to those words of judgment and the captivity that Isaiah alludes to. J. Alec Motyer shares:

Israel has been revealed as blind (42:19), inattentive (42:20), falling short of the Lord’s plan (42:21), defeated (42:2), sinfully disobedient (42:24), spiritually uncomprehending and insensitive…

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Related Image

Image of the Cyrus Cylinder, on display at the British Museum. Created in the 6th century BC, it was discovered in excavations of Babylon in Iraq. It commemorates the victory of Cyrus and mentions his policies of tolerance which relate to the return of the Jewish exiles recorded in Ezra.

Paul Hudson, CCSA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Author

Stuart R. Strachan, Jr.

Founder and Executive Director, The Pastor's Workshop

Stuart is an ordained Presbyterian pastor and the founder and lead curator of The Pastor’s Workshop, a resource dedicated to equipping church leaders for effective ministry. Rooted in the vision of Ephesians 4, his greatest passion is empowering the saints for the work of the church. Stuart loves preaching, teaching, and helping congregations discover what it means to follow Jesus faithfully in the complexities of the 21st century.

Having grown up in diverse regions such as Boston, New York, Connecticut, and Southern California, Stuart brings a broad perspective to his ministry. He has served churches in various roles across California, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Washington, enriching his understanding of ministry in different contexts.

Stuart is married to Colleen, who works as a Spiritual Formation Lead at Compassion International in Colorado Springs. Together, they have two children whom they cherish deeply.

In his free time, Stuart enjoys gardening, golf, diving into a good book, and rooting for his favorite baseball and basketball teams.

If you’re interested in inviting Stuart to speak at your conference, retreat, or event, please reach out to The Pastor’s Workshop for more details. His blend of wisdom, warmth, and practical insight will be a blessing to your gathering.