Hamilton Smith

(Vv. 1, 2). From the close of the last chapter we learn that Israel had not only broken the law and rebelled against Jehovah, but, when chastened, “he laid it not to heart.” How low must be the moral condition of God’s people when they are untouched by the discipline of the Lord! But will God, therefore, give up His people? Ah no! The coming of Christ as the perfect Servant enables God to fall back on His sovereignty and use the very evil of His people for an occasion to display His grace. Thus, in spite of all their failure the LORD can say to Israel, “Fear not” (1, 5). On the ground of their sad history in relation to God they had everything to fear; but now God will act toward them on the ground of what He has done for them in grace. Thus He can say, “I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” Because of their own failure they may have to pass through the cleansing waters and the purifying fire, but the LORD can say, “I will be with thee.” If the Lord is with His people in all their trials we may be sure they will be brought “through”. They may be “tried with fire,” and pass through “the fiery trial” (1 Peter 1:7; 2:12) but they will neither be overwhelmed by the flood nor destroyed by the fire. Of old, in a literal sense, Israel had to face the waters of the Red Sea, and Daniel the fiery furnace, but the Son of God was with him in the furnace and brought him through the fire (Dan. 3:2).