Personal reflection of God’s word… “line upon line, precept upon precept” (Isa. 28:9-10)

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Part 1

Isaiah 43:1-26 Series: Chosen, Redeemed and Restored

Seeker or Triumphant: Who Are You?

(Isaiah 43:1)

According to one report, the most popular baby names of 2019 were Sophia, Olivia, and Emma for the girls and Liam, Jackson and Noah for the boys. It used to be that a person was named for either what their parents aspired them to become, what the circumstances were surrounding their conception or birth, or in honor of a special family member or ancestor. For instance, the name Sophia carries meaning of “woman of wisdom” and Liam means “strong mind and protection”. However, in modern days, most baby names are chosen simply based on what the parents deem “cute” or “unique.”

In the bible, all names have a specific meaning attached to them. As a result, God will often rename individuals in the bible the moment a life altering transformation takes place in their life. From that moment onward, they are known by a new calling or promise on their lives. For example, Abram and Sarai were renamed Abraham and Sarah when the promise of a son (and nation) was given them, and Saul was renamed Paul when he was called to preach the gospel. Jacob was also renamed…Israel. Now, God will at times use some names interchangeably, based on the context of the teaching; thereby, adding yet another “layer” of understanding and application to our lives.

“But now, thus says the Lord, who created you,O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.” – Isaiah 43:1

Layer 1: Created as Jacob, but formed into Israel.

The Lord first created us just as “Jacob” – meaning, to follow behind or seize the heel of another greater than ourselves.

People can spend their entire lives seeking…money, fame, power, love, happiness, relationships, titles, excitement, spiritual fulfillment, contentment. The list goes on and on. And many find what they are looking for, or so they think – for it only lasts for a moment. Then, almost immediately, the satisfaction leaves them. As a result, a desire emerges for more, or perhaps something entirely different than the 1^st pursuit. And the cycle repeats itself.

“As in water face reflects face,
So a man’s heart reveals the man.

Hell and Destruction are never full;
So the eyes of man are never satisfied.”

– Proverbs 27:19-20

Fortunately, for many of us God doesn’t just leave us in the “thirsty” state in which He created us. He goes a step further to form us into “Israel” – causing us to wrestle with God, but ultimately prevail in triumph with God.

Often times, people find themselves “wrestling” with God – torn between their flesh and their spirit.

“For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” – Galatians 5:17

“For the good that I [desire] to do, I do not do; but the evil I [desire] not to do, that I practice.” – Romans 7:19 

Every magnet has a north and south pole (a negative and positive end). When you place the north pole (negative end) of one magnet near the south pole (positive end) of another magnet, they will quickly pull themselves together. However, when you place two of the same poles together (like north to north or south to south), the magnets will forcefully repel one another.

This repulsion, or resistance, is how the flesh “wrestles” or “lusts” against the Spirit. The two natures firmly oppose one another. Why is that?

^“For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.” – Romans 7:14

“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” – Romans 8:6-8

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23

“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” – Romans 8:12-13 

Two categories (flesh and spirit),

two natures (Jacob and Israel),

two options (old and new)…

Option 1 (old), is to live our lives pursuing our human, fleshy desires…such as, things and experiences that appeal to our senses and produce within us an immediate emotional response. That describes the “seekers” crowd (“Jacob”), mentioned at the start of this post. Those seeking fulfillment in either things and/or experiences that can satisfy an immediate emotional or sensory need/void. However, in every case, those “fleshly desires” can only be satisfied temporarily. The effects are never permanent, for the simple fact that emotions are naturally fickle and fleeting, and are greatly influenced by our circumstances.

Having a mindset that pursues “feelings” is a dangerous path to be on…feelings are deceptive.

• Feelings can lead us into (or cause us to remain in) a destructive relationship.
• Feelings can lead us to have an unhealthy relationship with food, to the detriment of our health.
• Feelings and sensory experiences can lead us to attempt life-threatening, dare-devil feats.
• Feelings and sensory experiences can lead us (and keep us in) addiction.

Addiction masquerades as a “feel-good” and deceptively “satisfying” compulsion that ultimately leads to self-destruction. To live by the flesh places individuals in a self-perpetuating and unfulfilling cycle that keeps them in a continuous state of “lack” – never really finding completeness, wholeness, and true satisfaction. It’s a “thirst” that can’t be quenched.

“But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. – Romans 8:9-10

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” – Romans 8:14 

While those living according to the flesh are dead because of sin, those living according to “the Spirit” have been “declared” righteous (morally right, justified, excellent) in the sight of God because “the Spirit of Christ” is in them. Having “the Spirit of Christ” inside you accomplishes 2 things:

2. God will transform your mind (Rom. 12:2) and place new desires in your heart (psalms 37:4) that are in alignment with His will. This removes the fleshly opposition with, or enmity against, God common to our human nature. Going beyond simply creating us as “Jacob”, but then forming us into “Israel” means that, “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6).  Hebrews 13:20-21 expands on this by saying, “Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead… through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ…”

God will work in your heart to bring about the “spiritual fruits” He desires to see manifested in your life. That is His plan and purpose for those living according to “the Spirit”, and not of the “Flesh.”

“For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died” –      2 Cor. 5:14

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them…” – 2 Cor. 5:17-19

The “old” carnal nature (Jacob) steadily seeks things and experiences to fulfill fleshly desires, targeting sensory and emotional experiences. These are fleeting and short-lived, as the emotional void always returns.

The “new” Spiritual nature (Israel) is one in which God has “reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ”; therefore, we have prevailed triumphantly with God. We have passed from death to life (John 5:24) and have been made into a new creation; transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:2).

 ^“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: 

• adultery, (including, lustful thoughts for another person)
• fornication,
• uncleanness, (morally wrong)
• lewdness, (sexually crude)
•  idolatry, (extreme admiration, love or reverence for something or someone)
•  sorcery, (magic, witchcraft, necromancy (contacting the dead), divination (fortune telling), enchantment (spells), incantations (chanting in meditation))
•  hatred,
• contentions, (heated arguments)
• jealousies,
•  outbursts of wrath, (rage)
• selfish ambitions,
• dissensions, (dividing disagreements or conflict, strife)
•  heresies, (beliefs contrary to Bible doctrine)
• envy, (covetous)
• murders,
• drunkenness,
• revelries,

and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” – Galatians 5:19-21

“But the fruit of the Spirit is

• love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. 

Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” – Galatians 5:22-26

For those who presently identify more closely with the traits of “Jacob”, please read John 3 and Romans 10.

For those who presently identify more closely with the traits of “Israel”, let’s continue on to “Layer 2”.

“But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:
‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.’” – Isaiah 43:1

Layer 2: Israel – Redeemed and Called

In this verse, God’s first instruction to “Israel” is “do not fear.” Why? “…for I have redeemed you.”

“He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, For there were many against me.” – Psalms 55:18

In one sense, making the transition from Jacob to Israel came by the means of many struggles, “wrestling”, and “battling” within the soul, as the flesh wrestled against the Spirit. Nevertheless, as we ultimately prevail with God (in Christ), our soul is able to find peace.

“I called on Your name, O Lord,
From the lowest pit.
You have heard my voice:
‘Do not hide Your ear
From my sighing, from my cry for help’
You drew near on the day I called on You,
And said, ‘Do not fear!’

O Lord, You have pleaded the case for my soul;
You have redeemed my life.” – Lamentations 3:55-58

In another sense, God has compensated for our faults, and regained possession of us in exchange for a payment.

“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”)…that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” – Galatians 3:13-14

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” – 2 Corinthians 5:21

“I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions…your sins…Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it!…For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, And glorified Himself in Israel.” – Isaiah 44:23

The next thing God points out is that, “I have called you by your name.” Which name? The name associated with redemption…Israel. The transformed version of ourselves according to the Spirit.

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son…. Moreover, whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” – Romans 8:28-30

For those of us who identify with “Israel”, here are some simple truths describing how God views us:

• We are called.
• We have a purpose (we were intentionally placed here on earth, specifically at this time).
• God foreknew us (He knew us before we existed).
• God intended for a transformation to occur within us (from “Jacob” to “Israel”).
• God predestined us (our existence was planned in advance – we were not accidents).
• God justified us (He declared and made us righteous in His sight through Christ’s sacrifice for us).
• God glorified us (He made us glorious, elevated us, made us appear more special).

God ends the verse with this declaration, “You are Mine.”

“But you, Israel, are My servant,
Jacob whom I have chosen…
I have chosen you and have not cast you away” – Isaiah 41:8-9

God chose us while we were still living as “Jacob,” full of faults, short-comings and steeped in fleshly carnality. And still, he did not wish to cast us away. He had predestined a purpose and a calling for each of our lives before the foundations of the world were ever formed.

“just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world… having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will” – Ephesians 1:4-5

We are not accidents. We were intentional.

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain…” – John 15:16

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Check out Part 2…

Isaiah 43:2 – “The Promises of the Chosen: Just as Gold and Silver”