God Our Redeemer in Isaiah 44
Byron Davis reflects on Isaiah’s reminder that God remembers, redeems, and washes his people clean. Through a personal story and Scripture, this lesson points readers toward the liberating truth that God alone atones for sin and calls his people back to him.
- Isaiah’s message reminds God’s people that truth demands a response.
- Redemption means God compensates for our faults and makes amends for our sin.
- Because of Christ, those who are in him are washed clean and free from condemnation.
This week’s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for January 2) is written by Byron Davis who serves with Shepherd of the Hills Church in Porter Ranch, California.
“Remember these things . . . I have made you . . . I will not forget you” (Isaiah 44:21).
“Daddy, you stink!” Those were the first words that came out of my 4-year-old daughter’s mouth after I returned home from a 13-mile morning run.
I walked into the kitchen to grab some water. Soon, I started talking with my wife and engaging in small banter with our 9-year-old son. What was supposed to be a quick pass-through turned into a longer stop-and-sit. My morning run had come and gone, and I started doing things on my to-do list. In the rush of my morning routine I simply never stopped to take a shower.
After an hour or so, I noticed everyone had left the room, and my daughter turned to me and said, with the straight-shooting, but innocent, conviction only a 4-year-old can convey, “Daddy you stink, and I am going to go upstairs!”
At first I was taken back just a little bit; and then I realized, she’s right! I do stink—really bad! Not only that, I had gotten the carpet, the couch, and the counter soaked with my sweat! Not only did I stink, I was stinking up everything else I touched until my daughter reminded me of my true state. No matter how much I ignored it, or was distracted by other activities, the truth was, I needed to stop and bathe! I was dirty! I had engaged in an activity that caused my body to smell so bad that not even the ones I loved wanted to be near me. And while I was in denial for a little while, at some point I had to embrace the truth and respond accordingly!
There are two things I love about the truth: (1) The truth stands on its own, and is the truth, whether we decide to believe it or not, and (2) once we know the truth, the truth demands a choice.
Sharing the Truth
Isaiah repeatedly shared the truth with the Jewish people and warned them about the consequences of denying God. What I love most about this book is that the theme of redemption is prominent in each chapter—redemption of a people who had fallen into disbelief and worshiped pagan idols and false gods. In the final chapter, Isaiah gives a prophecy about a Messiah who would be sent by God. The Messiah would provide salvation and redeem the Jewish people in God’s eyes, and would also provide this gift of salvation to all nations on earth.
Redemption! To redeem, according to The New English Dictionary, is “to compensate for the faults or bad aspects of (something); to do something that compensates for poor past performance or behavior; to atone or to make amends for error or evil.”
In spite of their sin, God, in his infinite wisdom, makes good on Isaiah’s prophecy and offered redemption to and through this rebellious people.
The children of Israel had engaged in activities that created a stench in the nostrils of God. And all through Scripture we read, story after story, the saga of a fallen people whose stench was so bad God ultimately had to allow his Son to wash them (us) clean from the damaging and damning dirt of sin.
I love Isaiah 44:21, 22: “Remember these things, O Jacob, for you are my servant, O Israel. I have made you, you are my servant; O Israel, I will not forget you. I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.”
“God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Our Redeemer
God is our redeemer! He alone compensates for our faults and the bad aspects of our lives. He totally and completely compensates for our poor performance and behavior. He alone atones and makes amends for our errors and evil. And because of him, “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
God is our redeemer! As I meditate on that truth, a burden is lifted from my soul. To know that God redeems and that I, in spite of my stench, have been washed clean liberates me in a new and fresh way. I have been redeemed. God not only makes up the difference, he is the difference. I am free to be who God created me to be. He completes me. My God redeems!
Have you been washed clean? Do you know you are redeemed?
Scripture quotations are from the New International Version, unless otherwise indicated.
OK. I still can’t see why they make our SS lesson confusing. Thank you for your view.
When I first signed up for these lessons I thought I would be able to go on the site and easily get something in less than “5” minutes and feel all I had to doing was make a snack built somehow to connect it to the lesson plan. Have not been able to do it as yet. Maybe I have paid for something that was just a money maker for you.
Thank you for reading, but it should be noted that the lesson treatment available on the Christian Standard Web site is free.
Thank you for the Sunday School Lessons you provide for me each week.
It really enhances my knowledge more along with my reading of the Bible and the supporting Scriptures.
Keep up the good works.
BHaynes
Byron Davis:
Thank you for a wonderful outline of the lesson. I am a Sunday school teacher and you have provided yet another beautiful perspective on the lesson. The examples you used will help me to relate this lesson to my students and their everyday lives. Sometimes when we teach, students cannot see how it is relevant in today’s world and your examples of how the “truth” and just reteaching about “redemption” are two essential points to why a lesson from the Old Testament is important during this holiday season. My outline will consist of a discussion on:
1. Redemption – Old and New Testament
2. The Truth – Worldly View vs. Prophecy
3. A Redeemer Who Lives
I will also use the additional Scriptures you have outlined: John 3:16 and Romans 8:1.
Thank you, Byron — may God continue to bless you and your family.