“But I am the Lord your God from the land of Egypt; you know no God but me, and besides me there is no savior.” (Hosea 13:4)
On the heels of saying, “And now they sin more and more, and make for themselves metal images, idols skillfully made of their silver” (13:2), “Besides me, there is no savior!” is an important and exclusive statement. God is attacking their idolatry by pointing out that he is the only savior. No matter how much silver or how finely crafted, idols cannot save. God alone can save!
Isaiah echoes this same exclusive claim: “I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior.” (Isaiah 43:11)
“… And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me.” (Isaiah 45:21)
Jesus claimed to be the exclusive way to the Father: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6)
Peter made the connection between Jesus and Isaiah 43:11, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
Paul made the connection even clearer in his letter to Titus, … “waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13)
There is one true and living God and salvation is found only in Him. If we look anywhere else, we will come up empty-handed. If we look to anyone else, we will come up empty-handed.
Father, please help me recognize your glory in your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
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