Fear Not, O Jacob

Chapter forty-three closes describing national Israel to be worthy of "the curse" and "reproaches". Sin, rebellion and indifference described the nation. The 44th chapter begins with a major change noted by the words "Yet now" and proceeds to tell of God's grace. Out of the nation, God elected a people He called "Jacob". The Lord Jesus identified Himself as the spokesman in verse 6 by calling Himself as "the first" and "the last". See Revelation 1:11, 17.