Isaiah makes things perfectly clear in today's reading.

"Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me." (Isaiah 43)
"Is there any God besides me....I know not one." (Isaiah 44)
"I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no god."  (Isaiah 45)
(Not a lesser god - but NO god at all!)

Isaiah 43 relates that God forgives Israel even though the people have not brought Him fellowship, thanksgiving, or peace offerings, much less the animal sacrifices for atonement for sin.  And yet He forgives them, even though they don't deserve it.

God makes a case as would any courtroom attorney, "...let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence."
He mentions, "...your first father (Adam) sinned; your spokesman (Moses) rebelled against me.  So I will disgrace the dignitaries (priests) of your temple."

In light of our trip to Israel in 2011 and our interactions with the Messianic Jews there, the following verse is especially meaningful to us. These people referred to in this passage would be all believers in Jesus as Messiah, the Messianic Jews, the scattered tribes of Israel, and the Gentiles.

Isaiah 44:5
One person will say, "I belong to the LORD."  (the chosen people) Another will call on the name of Jacob. Another will write on his hand, "The LORD'S," and he will adopt the name of Israel (other Believers, the called ones).

Under the heading, FUTILITY OF IDOLATRY,  Isaiah speaks of the ridiculousness of their worship of idols and calls the people to account.  The theme seems to be this.  

God made man and said, "Worship Me!" Manmade idols and said, "We worship you, our idols."  

Isaiah makes a couple of accurate prophecies about Cyrus king of Persia 150 years before it really happened.  At this time the people were not in captivity so when Isaiah makes the pronouncement that the exiles will be set free, Jerusalem will be rebuilt, and so will the temple, they must have been somewhat confused.  Jerusalem was intact, the temple was still standing, they were not in captivity.     

In today's reading, God makes it very clear that once He acts, no one can change it.

Isaiah 43:13
Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?"

John 10:28-30
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one."

The following passages make more connections between Old and New Testaments.

Isaiah 44:6
"This is what the LORD says-- Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.

Revelation 22:13
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

And more connections…

Isaiah 44:8
Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one."

1 Corinthians 10:4
and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.

And even more connections…

Isaiah 44:24
"This is what the LORD says-- your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: (see Psalm 139) I am the LORD, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself,

John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

And still more…

Isaiah 45:3
I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.

John 10:3
The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

The Bible proves that it is one continuous story from beginning to end!

And one final amazing thought for today...

Isaiah 45:4b
I summon you by name and bestow on you a title of honor, though you do not acknowledge me.

Even though we as Believers at times do not acknowledge Him, He still bestows on us a title of honor!  Ponder that today!!!