Isaiah 43:1–7 first comforts Israel with the assurance that, though judgment is deserved, Yahweh has not abandoned His covenant people. The exiles would hear in this promise the certainty of literal return from captivity, for no direction of the earth could hold back those whom Yahweh had redeemed. Yet in Christ this promise expands to its fullest covenantal horizon: God gathers His elect from every nation, east and west, north and south. Therefore the church today, scattered throughout the world and often passing through many afflictions, is comforted by the same covenant truth — “You are Mine.” The God who redeemed His people will gather His people, and not one will be lost.

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Rom 3:9 What then? Are we better? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin;

Rom 3:10 as it is written, “THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;

Rom 3:11 THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;

Rom 3:12 ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME WORTHLESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.”

Rom 3:13 “THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN TOMB, WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING,” “THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS”;

Rom 3:14 “WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS”;

Rom 3:15 “THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD,

Rom 3:16 DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS,

Rom 3:17 AND THE PATH OF PEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN.”

Rom 3:18 “THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES.”

Rom 3:19 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are in the Law, so that every mouth may be shut and all the world may become accountable to God;

Rom 3:20 because by the works of the Law NO FLESH WILL BE JUSTIFIED IN HIS SIGHT, for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

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| Isaiah 42:1–4 | Isaiah 42:18–25
| The Servant brings justice | The servant is blind
| The Servant is faithful | The servant is deaf
| The Servant opens blind eyes | Israel itself cannot see

This prepares the reader for the distinction between:

• Israel as servant, failing in blindness
• The Messiah as Servant, faithful and obedient

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