"But now this is what the Lord says--he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:

Two monumental realities tower before us in this verse. First, there is a creator God who is not silent; he speaks into his creation. Second, his word to human beings is reassuring, considerate, generous and caring. The same temperament that thought to bring into being a life form able to know its maker maintains and pursues that intention--even at personal cost!