Israel the chosen

44 ‘But now listen, Jacob, my servant,
    Israel, whom I have chosen.
This is what the Lord says –
    he who made you, who formed you in the womb,
    and who will help you:
do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant,
    Jeshurun,[a] whom I have chosen.
For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
    and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring,
    and my blessing on your descendants.
They will spring up like grass in a meadow,
    like poplar trees by flowing streams.
Some will say, “I belong to the Lord”;
    others will call themselves by the name of Jacob;
still others will write on their hand, “The Lord’s,”
    and will take the name Israel.

The Lord, not idols

‘This is what the Lord says –
    Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty:
I am the first and I am the last;
    apart from me there is no God.
Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it.
    Let him declare and lay out before me
what has happened since I established my ancient people,
    and what is yet to come –
    yes, let them foretell what will come.
Do not tremble, do not be afraid.
    Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago?
You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me?
    No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.’

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 44:2 Jeshurun means the upright one, that is, Israel.