Isaiah 41:8-13 forms a neat chiastic paragraph:
A. Chosen servant: Israel, Jacob, seed of Abraham, vv 8-9 (inclusio with “chosen”)
B. Do not fear, v 10a
C. I am your God for strength and help; My right hand, v 10b
D. Rescue from those who content, vv 11-12
C’. I am Yahweh your God; uphold your right hand, v 13a
B’. Do not fear; do not fear, v 13b-14a
A’. Worm Jacob, v 14
The verses at the center have an alternating structure:
A. Shamed and confounded
B. All who burn against you
A. They shall be as they are nothing
B. And perish will the men of contention
A. You shall seek and not find
B. Men who content with you
A. They shall be as they are not and as cessation
B. Men who make war with you
The chosen Servant Jacob has nothing to fear because Yahweh is with them, and specifically because Yahweh is with them when they are attacked by men of contention and war. With a mix of courtoom and military imagery, Yahweh tells Israel not to fear because He will stand up to defend them.
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