What does God mean by saying, "Besides me there is no savior" (Isaiah 43:11; Hosea 13:4)?

There are many Old Testament passages addressed to Israel which bind up their salvation with God's personal intervention on their behalf and that prove conclusively that He only could save them. I will quote a few of them, "I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour" (Isa. 43:3). "I, even I, am the Lord, and beside Me there is no Saviour" (verse 11). "There is no God else beside Me, a just God and a Saviour" (45:21). "All flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Saviour, and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob" (49:26). "I am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but Me; for there is no Saviour beside Me" (Hosea 13:4). The name Jesus carries divine glory with it; that it means Jehovah the Saviour; and it is certainly clear from these great texts that none but God could be the Saviour, and if any others pretended to be able to do this, their pretence only proved them to be thieves and robbers (John 10), but of Jesus, the angel said, "He shall save His people from their sins." Then who else could He be but God?

Let us now consider this, “Fear not,” said the angel of the Lord to Joseph, “to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.” He did not say that He would save sinners, Jew and Gentile, though that is most blessedly true, and comes fully to light as the truth unfolds, but in perfect keeping with this first Gospel, to “save His PEOPLE.” The people of Israel were in view in the angel's announcement, and the fulfilment of the Word of God by His prophets to them. They were Jehovah's people, a people chosen of God as His own peculiar possession, even though they had departed far from Him. Their sins had separated them from Him, but He would not, He could not, abandon His rights in them, He would undertake their salvation. And Jesus was to appear to do this, because as the angel said, these people chosen of God were His PEOPLE. There are many Old Testament passages addressed to Israel which bind up their salvation with God's personal intervention on their behalf and that prove conclusively that He only could save them. I will quote a few of them, “I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour” (Isa. 43:3). “I, even I, am the Lord, and beside Me there is no Saviour” (v. 11). “There is no God else beside Me, a just God and a Saviour” (45:21). “All flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Saviour, and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob” (49:2). “I am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt , and thou shalt know no god but Me; for there is no Saviour beside Me” (Hos. 13:4). It has often been said that the name Jesus carries divine glory with it; that it means Jehovah the Saviour; it is certainly clear from these great texts that none but God could save His people, and if any others pretended to be able to do this, their pretence only proved them to be thieves and robbers (John 10), but of Jesus, the angel said, “He shall save His people from their sins.” Then who else could He be but God?

Let us now consider this, "Fear not," said the angel of the Lord to Joseph, "to take to thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins." He did not say that He would save sinners, Jew and Gentile, though that is most blessedly true, and comes fully to light as the truth unfolds, but in perfect keeping with this first Gospel, to "save His PEOPLE." The people of Israel were in view in the angel's announcement, and the fulfilment of the Word of God by His prophets to them. They were Jehovah's people, a people chosen of God as His own peculiar possession, even though they had departed far from Him. Their sins had separated them from Him, but He would not, He could not, abandon His rights in them, He would undertake their salvation. And Jesus was to appear to do this, because as the angel said, these people chosen of God were His PEOPLE. There are many Old Testament passages addressed to Israel which bind up their salvation with God's personal intervention on their behalf and that prove conclusively that He only could save them. I will quote a few of them, "I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour" (Isa. 43:3). "I, even I, am the Lord, and beside Me there is no Saviour" (v. 11). "There is no God else beside Me, a just God and a Saviour" (Isa. 45:21). "All flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Saviour, and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob" (Isa. 49:2). "I am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but Me; for there is no Saviour beside Me" (Hosea 13:4). It has often been said that the name Jesus carries divine glory with it; that it means Jehovah the Saviour; it is certainly clear from these great texts that none but God could save His people, and if any others pretended to be able to do this, their pretence only proved them to be thieves and robbers (John 10), but of Jesus, the angel said, "He shall save His people from their sins." Then who else could He be but God?

The unity of God is the foundation-truth of the Old Testament; as it was the central testimony for which the Jewish people were responsible in a world everywhere else given over to idolatry. We must add that Jehovah, the God of Israel, was that one Jehovah, His proper name in relationship with His people on earth. "Ye are My witnesses, saith Jehovah, and My servant Whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He; before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me. I, even I, am Jehovah; and beside Me there is no Saviour" (Isa. 43:10-11).

That there is only one God had been fully declared before Christ came. The unity of God is the great foundation truth of the Old Testament. It was the great testimony to Israel, as we read, “Hear O Israel: the LORD our God is One LORD” (Deuteronomy 6:4). It was the great testimony that was to flow out to the nations from Israel, as we read, “Let all the nations be gathered together … let them hear, and say, It is truth. Ye are my witnesses, says the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside Me there is no Saviour” (Isaiah 43:9-11).

(Vv. 10, 11). Israel is the standing witness to the world that God is the One God that men “may know and believe” that God is the eternal One – none before, and no one after, the “I AM,” and the only Saviour.

(Vv. 12, 13). In reference to Israel, God can say. “I have declared, and have saved, and I have showed.” Before they turned to idols, God had already declared the past and the future as to Israel, and speaking as the I AM, to Whom the future is present, He can say “I have saved.” Having saved, God can say to all the world that Israel are “my witnesses … that I am God.” God is the God of eternity. Before time was – “before the day” – God can say I AM; and God is omnipotent, for none can deliver out of His hand or hinder His work.

We find in this opening section a great deal of the majesty and glory of the God of Israel. A contrast is made between Israel's God and the idols of the nations. The one great proof brought forward is that the God of Israel has the power to predict future events. Read chapter 41:21-25. All this is spoken to encourage the faithful remnant of Israel to trust in Jehovah. In view of the Babylonian captivity, which Isaiah had announced this is of special meaning. Again and again Jehovah speaks in these chapters of Himself and His power to forgive, to save and to deliver. "I am He--the first and the last--I even I am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour--I am the Lord your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King--there is no God beside me--a just God and a Saviour"; these are a few of the direct utterances of Jehovah through Isaiah in this section. Jehovah has the power to save and to deliver His people.

The impotency of idols is seen, and abandoned for the true God. An idol is “a block of wood!” “An abomination!” (Isa. 44:19). But Israel knows God, the God who has “blotted out as a thick cloud” her transgressions (Isa. 44:22); therefore “Sing, O ye heavens; … the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and GLORIFIED HIMSELF IN ISRAEL” (v. 23).

How tender are His pleadings with His people, His future witnesses, in chapters 45 and 46. He raised up Cyrus for their sakes (Isa. 45:4). He had remained faithful to them all along, though they had rebelled against Him. “Even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you” (Isa. 46:4). “I will place salvation in Zion for Israel My glory” (v. 13). Among the nations who followed idols such things were unknown, and God raises the challenge: Who among the nations “can declare this, and show us former things? let them bring forth THEIR WITNESSES, that they may be justified; or let them hear, and say, It is truth” (Isa. 43:9). But to Israel He says, “Ye are MY WITNESSES, says the Lord, and My servant whom I have chosen … before ME there was no God formed, neither shall there be after ME. I, EVEN I, AM THE LORD; AND BESIDE ME THERE IS NO SAVIOUR” (vv. 10-11).

The full revelation awaited the due time when God would be manifested in flesh. It needs no explanation—it is plain enough to an ordinary man’s mind—if the Lord Himself were to be fully made known to men He must come as Man. This He did. “The Word,” who “was God, … became flesh and dwelt among us.” Had He come in angelic or any other form men could not have understood. He came in an intelligible manner, in the right and proper manner, and in the way which He in grace and love chose; but before that we find Him speaking words which carry us a long way. Only He could speak as He did through Isaiah thus, “I am He” or “I AM THE SAME; before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me. I, even I, am Jehovah, and BESIDE ME THERE IS NO SAVIOUR” (43:10-11). “Thus says Jehovah the King of Israel, and his Redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am THE FIRST, and I am THE LAST; and beside Me there is no God” (44:6). “Is there a God beside Me? Yea, there is no God: I know not any.” None but the Eternal One could speak thus; and, surely, when it would please Him to do so, He could and would reveal Himself. Bless His holy Name. In this way life eternal, the blessing of blessings, should be ours.

Then the Lord reminds them of their former relationship and that He is the true God, "and there is no Saviour beside Me." In the land of the wilderness He knew them and there He cared for them and provided all their needs. But instead of acknowledging Him, they became full; self-exaltation followed, and then they forgot Him. Throughout the Word of God self-exaltation, pride is always given as the starting point of departure from God and the consequent ruin.