“But now thus says Yahweh.
‘He who created you!
O Jacob!
He who formed you!
O Israel!
Do not fear!
I have redeemed you.
I have called you by name.
You are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you.
When you pass through the rivers,
They shall not overwhelm you.
When you walk through fire,
You shall not be burned.
The flame shall not consume you.
For I am Yahweh!
Your God!
The Holy One of Israel!
Your Savior!’”
Here in Second Isaiah, Yahweh speaks directly to the Israelites. He has created and formed them. They are not to be afraid, because Yahweh has redeemed them also. He has also called them by name, Israel and Jacob. They are his. If they pass through waters, he will be with them. If they go through rivers, it will not overtake them. If they are in fire, they will not get burned with a consuming fire. They only have to remember that Yahweh is their God. He is the Holy One of Israel and their savior. Otherwise there is nothing to worry about.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 