Isaiah 43:22-28
God forgives by grace, not by ritual performance.
22 Yet you have not called on me, Jacob; but you have been weary of me, Israel.
23 You have not brought me any of your sheep for burnt offerings, neither have you honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with offerings, nor wearied you with frankincense.
24 You have bought me no sweet cane with money, nor have you filled me with the fat of your sacrifices, but you have burdened me with your sins. You have wearied me with your iniquities.
25 I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake; and I will not remember your sins.
26 Put me in remembrance. Let us plead together. Declare your case, that you may be justified.
27 Your first father sinned, and your teachers have transgressed against me.
28 Therefore I will profane the princes of the sanctuary; and I will make Jacob a curse, and Israel an insult.”
God forgives by grace, not by ritual performance.
To confront Israel’s failure in worship and to reaffirm that forgiveness rests solely in the LORD’s gracious initiative.
Israel’s neglect of proper worship and ongoing sin leads to divine rebuke and the reality of covenant discipline.
Fear Not, I Have Redeemed You
The LORD tells His fearful, scattered, sinful people not to fear because He has created, redeemed, called, claimed, loved, and gathered them for His glory, making them witnesses to His exclusive saving power and promising a new exodus grounded in mercy for His own sake.