When speaking and writing about our relationship with God, we have to use human language. As a result, we need to be careful lest misunderstanding arises. When we say that there is a treaty, a covenant, an alliance between God and a human being or a group of human beings, we need to know what we are saying exactly. In the 1950s and 1960s, when biblical scholars began to speak of a treaty between God and man, eyebrows were raised. The question was asked how God could "sign" a treaty with one of his creatures. The two parties to the treaty are not, and cannot be, equal signatories! God cannot be under an obligation to anybody less than Himself.

Precisely! In today's reading from Isaiah, we find one of the first, if not the very first, references to God as a Redeemer (Is. 41:14). In the culture of that time and place, a redeemer was usually a close relative who undertook the obligation to come to help the person in need. The Redeemer of today's reading says simply and unequivocally, "I will help you." He tells Israel that there is no need to fear.

God has bound Himself by His love, faithfulness and reliability. He took on an obligation, thus signing a treaty when he rescued the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. We, too, are recipients and beneficiaries of that promise. He sealed his promise when our relationship with Him became abundantly clear. Jesus became our brother. Now we know what the word Redeemer means.