Isaiah 43 · Grade 5

Besides Me, There Is No Savior

Name Date

Read and Think

Isaiah 43 turns from Israel's blindness (end of chapter 42) to astonishing grace: "But now." The God who "created" and "formed" Israel now "redeemed" them, using the language of a family member buying back a relative. "I have called you by your name. You are mine." Waters and fire recall the Red Sea and the fiery trials of exile; God does not promise no trouble, but his presence in it. Israel is "precious and honored in my sight."

A new trial scene follows. The blind and deaf people are brought out as witnesses, while the nations bring theirs. God's case: "You are my witnesses... that you may know and believe me, and understand that I am he. Before me there was no God formed, neither will there be after me. I myself am Yahweh. Besides me, there is no savior." In the New Testament, Jesus tells his disciples they will be his witnesses (Acts 1:8), and Acts 4:12 says there is salvation in no other name.

God's "new thing" outshines the Exodus. The One who "makes a way in the sea" now says, "Don't remember the former things.... Behold, I will do a new thing. It springs out now." A road home through the desert, with rivers for his people, would show his glory. Yet Israel had not called on God and had "wearied me with your iniquities." God's answer is pure grace: "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake; and I will not remember your sins." In the New Testament, 2 Corinthians 5:17 speaks of new creation in Christ.

Show What You Know

What does the word redeemed mean here?
What do the waters and fire recall?
Which New Testament verses connect to witnesses and the only Savior?
Why does God blot out Israel's transgressions?

Crossword

Across

And a path in the mighty ____.
And whom I have ____ for my glory.

Down

For I have ____ you.
When you walk through the ____.
I have called you by your ____.

Think About It

God does not promise no trouble but promises His presence in it. How have you seen God with you in a hard time?
God says He blots out sins because of who He is. Why is it good news that forgiveness depends on God's character and not on how good we are?

Memory Verse

“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake; and I will not remember your sins.”

Isaiah 43:25 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for calling me by name. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

What is God's new thing?
How does God's forgiveness change the way you see yourself?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?