Read & explore together
The LORD Has Chosen Israel
Isaiah 44:1–20 begins with comfort for Israel and ends with a strong exposure of idol-making. The passage contrasts Yahweh, who chose, formed, and helps his people, with carved images that will not profit or deliver.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In this passage, Yahweh addresses Jacob, Israel, and Jeshurun as his chosen servant. He promises help, blessing, water for the thirsty, and his Spirit on their descendants. He then declares that there is no God besides him and shows the emptiness of idols made by human hands.
Isaiah 44:1–20Main takeaway
This passage teaches that Yahweh alone is God and worthy of trust, while idols are made by people and cannot save.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Chosen, formed, and helpedThe passage opens with reassurance for Jacob and Israel. Yahweh calls them his servant and says he has chosen them.
Explanation
The passage opens with reassurance for Jacob and Israel. Yahweh calls them his servant and says he has chosen them. He is the one who made them, formed them from the womb, and will help them. Because of that, they are told not to be afraid. Jeshurun is included in this same address.
02Water, Spirit, and belongingYahweh describes his blessing with the picture of water poured on thirsty people and streams on dry ground.
Explanation
Yahweh describes his blessing with the picture of water poured on thirsty people and streams on dry ground. He says he will pour his Spirit on their descendants and blessing on their offspring. The result is growth like willows by watercourses and open identification with Yahweh and Israel.
03Yahweh alone is GodThe next part explains why they need not fear. Yahweh is the King of Israel, his Redeemer, and Yahweh of Armies.
Explanation
The next part explains why they need not fear. Yahweh is the King of Israel, his Redeemer, and Yahweh of Armies. He says he is the first and the last, and that besides him there is no God. His people are witnesses, and he says he knows no other Rock.
04The emptiness of idolsThose who make carved images are called vain, and the images profit nothing. Workmen are mere men.
Explanation
Those who make carved images are called vain, and the images profit nothing. Workmen are mere men. Wood from a tree can be burned for warmth and cooking, yet the rest is shaped into a god and worshipped. The passage says such blindness and deception keep people from seeing the lie.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What reasons does Yahweh give for telling Israel not to be afraid?
Look for what he says he has done and will do for them: he chose them, made them, formed them, and will help them.
02How does the passage describe Yahweh’s blessing on future generations?
Notice the pictures of water on dry ground, the Spirit poured out, growth by watercourses, and people openly identifying with Yahweh.
03How does the passage show the emptiness of idol worship?
Follow the argument about the same tree being used for fuel, food, warmth, and then made into a god, and note the final question about the lie in the hand.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Isaiah 44:1–20
1Yet listen now, Jacob my servant, and Israel, whom I have chosen.
2This is what Yahweh who made you, and formed you from the womb, who will help you says: “Don’t be afraid, Jacob my servant; and you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.
3For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and streams on the dry ground. I will pour my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring;
4and they will spring up among the grass, as willows by the watercourses.
5One will say, ‘I am Yahweh’s.’ Another will be called by the name of Jacob; and another will write with his hand ‘to Yahweh,’ and honor the name of Israel.”
6This is what Yahweh, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, Yahweh of Armies, says: “I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God.
7Who is like me? Who will call, and will declare it, and set it in order for me, since I established the ancient people? Let them declare the things that are coming, and that will happen.
8Don’t fear, neither be afraid. Haven’t I declared it to you long ago, and shown it? You are my witnesses. Is there a God besides me? Indeed, there is not. I don’t know any other Rock.”
9Everyone who makes a carved image is vain. The things that they delight in will not profit. Their own witnesses don’t see, nor know, that they may be disappointed.
10Who has fashioned a god, or molds an image that is profitable for nothing?
11Behold, all his fellows will be disappointed; and the workmen are mere men. Let them all be gathered together. Let them stand up. They will fear. They will be put to shame together.
12The blacksmith takes an ax, works in the coals, fashions it with hammers, and works it with his strong arm. He is hungry, and his strength fails; he drinks no water, and is faint.
13The carpenter stretches out a line. He marks it out with a pencil. He shapes it with planes. He marks it out with compasses, and shapes it like the figure of a man, with the beauty of a man, to reside in a house.
14He cuts down cedars for himself, and takes the cypress and the oak, and strengthens for himself one among the trees of the forest. He plants a cypress tree, and the rain nourishes it.
15Then it will be for a man to burn; and he takes some of it and warms himself. Yes, he burns it and bakes bread. Yes, he makes a god and worships it; he makes it a carved image, and falls down to it.
16He burns part of it in the fire. With part of it, he eats meat. He roasts a roast and is satisfied. Yes, he warms himself and says, “Aha! I am warm. I have seen the fire.”
17The rest of it he makes into a god, even his engraved image. He bows down to it and worships, and prays to it, and says, “Deliver me, for you are my god!”
18They don’t know, neither do they consider, for he has shut their eyes, that they can’t see, and their hearts, that they can’t understand.
19No one thinks, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, “I have burned part of it in the fire. Yes, I have also baked bread on its coals. I have roasted meat and eaten it. Shall I make the rest of it into an abomination? Shall I bow down to a tree trunk?”
20He feeds on ashes. A deceived heart has turned him aside; and he can’t deliver his soul, nor say, “Isn’t there a lie in my right hand?”