Help

“And the Lord Jehovah will help me.  On account of this I was not ashamed”.   Isaiah 50:7

Help – In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word azar is used principally of military assistance.  There are numerous passages where the word is used in the context of a real military battle, for example, when Egypt and her allies fall (Ezekiel 30:8).  The word is also used in compound with God’s name to illustrate a characteristic of the Lord  – “God has helped me”, “the Lord helps” and “my help is God” are translations of some of these compounds.  In the Psalms, azar is used when the Psalmist describes God’s assistance to the downtrodden and poor, to orphans, help in time of illness, when under pressure from enemies and in matter of personal conflict.  You can see other uses by looking back at January 2.

Notice that Isaiah says there is a connection between God’s help and shame.  Because God helps His children, they do not need to be ashamed.  To our ears, this must seem odd.  We might expect the text to say that we need not fear, or that we will not feint, or be defeated.  But “not be ashamed” seems strange.  We usually do not think of help as something that rescues us from shame.  But Isaiah does.  He is telling us that our battles are not ours alone.  If we are called by His name, then His reputation is on the line with us.  If we are His people, then He stands with us against our enemies.  Shame comes when we are humiliated.  And, says Isaiah, God will not let that happen to those He helps.  God is with me.  God helps me.  No matter what my circumstances, His banner flies over me (for that word look at February 17).  Because I serve the King of the Universe, I will not be ashamed.  After all, I bear His name.  Victory is inevitable.  It is only a matter of time.