Isaiah 43:3

G. Shapiro

The missionaries will say: that Isaiah 43:3 shows that the Messiah must be a savior. They may add that Isaiah 54:5, and 60:16 support this claim.

The Reply is: Look at the verses. Are they refering to the Messiah at all? In this case, the answer is no. Isaiah 43:3 says "For I the L-RD am your G-d, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I gave Egypt as a ransom for you, Ethiopia and Saba in exchange for you." (JPS) Read the from the beginning of the chapter, G-d is talking to Israel. It is G-d who is the Savior of Israel. Now, a missionary might say to you that the Holy One of Israel is distinct from HaShem G-d. This is not so. Isaiah uses poetic repitition here to emphasise that it is G-d who is our Savior. We need no other. Remember, G-d brought us out of Egypt with signs and wonders. This does not mention messiahs or Jesus. Only G-d is our Savior.

Isaiah 54:5 says "For He who made you will espouse you -- His Name is "L-RD of Hosts." The Holy One of Israel will redeem you -- He is called "G-d of all the Earth." (JPS) Reading from the beginning, you should note that G-d is talking here through the prophet. G-d is the Holy One of Israel, not the Messiah. II Kings 19:22-23 show this "Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? and against whom have you exalted your voice, and lifted up your eyes on high? Against the Holy One of Israel. (K) By your messengers you have taunted the L-RD " (Davka JCL) The Holy One is the L-RD, there are not 2 beings being spoken of, one called G-d and one called L-RD, but one. I would remind you that when you see the English world "L-RD" in all caps, it is in fact the Name of G-d. G-d is a title, HaSham/L-RD is used to represent His Name that is too holy to write anywhere but in a Hebrew Tanach or Torah for us Jews. It is HaShem G-d who redeems us, not the Messiah who has yet to come.

Isaiah 60:16 says "...And you shall know that I the L-RD [ie, HaShem] am your Saviour, I The Mighty One of Jacob, am your Redeemer." We have again, some poetic repetition for emphasis. It is the L-RD G-d who is our Saviour and Redeemer, no one else. Again, this is simply not a messianic prophecy.

Source: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/1551/prophets/is43v3.htm

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