Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.

Isaiah 43:22-44:8

But now listen, Jacob, my servant, Israel, whom I have chosen. This is what the Lord says—  he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.

“This is what the Lord says— Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come—  yes, let them foretell what will come. Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.”

Why?

Jesus is the Lord, and our God, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from there is no God. We are chosen and guided to be God's witness.

Jacob is chosen by the Lord, so we, every Christian are selected by the Lord.

Only our God can proclaim this and foretell it long ago.

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v22-24人的軟弱：人的問題，沒有求告神，應付式的信仰，沒有拿最好的來奉獻，神看來根本沒有獻祭。信仰的核心是討神的喜悅，讓神滿意，我們自然得到神的祝福。否則只是以自我為中心。

v25-28 指出人的出路。惟有我為自己的緣故塗抹你的過犯。人不知道怎麼辦時，神指出只有神自己解決問題。神管教以色列人不是減掉而是拯救，人無法反駁

44：v1-5 神把自己給我們。耶書崙： 正直之意（小名）。原來是枯乾的，一直在找水。聖靈澆灌使我們，讓我們甘心情願給神使用。在手上寫歸耶和華，不要忘記耶和華。

44:v6-8 唯有神是盼望。磐石是保障的意思，除了神以外沒有別的保障。

How?

We are the witness of the Lord so we have to listen to the word of the Lord and be a Christ-like person.