"You Are My Witnesses"!

THE ability to predict the future is one thing that distinguishes the true God from all false gods.  But when Jehovah prophesies, he has more in mind than proving his Godship. As demonstrated in Isaiah chapter 43, Jehovah  makes prophecy a proof both of his Godship and of his love for his covenant people.  His people, in turn, are not to discern fulfilled prophecy and yet remain mute; they are  to bear testimony to what they have seen.  Yes, they are to be Jehovah's Witnesses! 

Sadly, by Isaiah's time Israel is in such a deplorable state that Jehovah considers the people spiritually disabled.  "Bring forth a people blind through eyes themselves exist, and the ones deaf though they have ears."  (Isaiah 43:8)  How can people who are spiritually blind and deaf serve Jehovah as his living witnesses?  There is only one way.  Their eyes and ears must be miraculously opened. And open them, Jehovah does!  How?  First, Jehovah administers severe discipline-the inhabitants of the northern kingdom of Israel go into exile in 740 B.C.E. Then, Jehovah acts with power in behalf  of his people by liberating them and bringing a spiritually revitalized, repentant remnant back to their homeland in 537 B.C.E.  In fact, Jehovah is so confident  that his purpose in this regard cannot be thwarted that some 200 years  in advance, he speaks of Israel's liberation as though it has already occurred.

"This is what Jehovah has said, your Creator, O Jacob, and your Former, O Israel:  'Do not be afraid, for I have repurchased you. I have called you by your name.  You are mine. In case  you should pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not flood over you. In case you should walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, neither will the flame itself  singe you .  For I am Jehovah your God, the Holy One of Israel your Savior.' "-Isaiah 43:1-3a.

Jehovah has a special interest in Israel because he nations belongs to him.  It is  his own personal creation in fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant.  (Genesis 12:1-3)  Thus Psalm 100:3 says:  "Know that Jehovah is God. It is he that has made us, and not we ourselves. We are his people and the sheep of his pasturage."  As Israel's Creator and Repurchaser, Jehovah will bring his people  safely back to their homeland.  Impediments, such as waters, flooding rivers, and fiery deserts, will not hinder or harm them, just as similar things did not slow their forefathers when en route to the Promised Land a thousand years earlier.

 Jehovah's words also give comfort to the modern-day remnant of spiritual Israel, the members of which are a spirit-begotten "new creation."  (2 Corinthians 5:17)  Having stepped boldly before  "the waters" of mankind, they  have enjoyed God's loving protection through figurative floods.  Fire emanating from their enemies has not harmed them, but, rather, has served to refine them.  (Zechariah 13:9;  Revelation 12:15-17)  Jehovah's watchcare has also extended to the "great crowd" of  "other sheep," who have joined God's spiritual nation. (Revelation 7:9; John 10:16)  These ones were prefigured by the "vast mixed company" that made the Exodus from Egypt along with the Israelites and also by the non-Jews who returned with the freed exiles from Babylon.- Exodus 12:38; Ezra 2:1, 43, 55, 58.

Next time: Conclusion of "Your Are My Witnesses"!

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, Volume II, 2001