Isaiah 43:16-19
Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse points to God's power not just in historical miracles like parting the Red Sea, but also in His ongoing ability to overcome any obstacle. It’s a reminder that God doesn't just deal with what we can see; He makes a way even through the "mighty waters," symbolizing overwhelming challenges we can't navigate on our own.
This verse serves as an introduction to a new message from God, reminding His people of His past mighty acts. It immediately precedes God's promise to do a "new thing" for Israel, contrasting His power with the idols of other nations. The prophecy is set against the backdrop of the Babylonian exile, with God invoking the memory of the miraculous parting of the Red Sea to assure them of His ability to deliver them from their current bondage.
God's power isn't limited by the impossible. He actively creates paths where none exist.
The verse starts with a powerful declaration: "Thus says the LORD." This isn't just a human statement; it's God revealing Himself and His nature.
He immediately points to His past actions as proof of who He is: "who makes a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters." This is a direct reference to the Exodus, when God miraculously parted the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to escape Pharaoh's army on dry ground (Exodus 14).
This isn't just a historical event; it's a theological statement. God is not bound by natural laws or circumstances. He can and does intervene in history to create pathways for His people, even through seemingly impassable obstacles like a vast sea.
God's past miracles are a preview of His future, even more incredible interventions.
While the verse immediately recalls the Red Sea crossing, it's not just about remembering the past. The context of Isaiah 43 is God's message of comfort and hope to the people of Israel during their exile in Babylon.
God declares in the following verses (specifically Isaiah 43:18-19), "Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; even now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."
This shows that God's power to create paths isn't a one-time event. He performed a miracle in the sea, but He's about to do something new and amazing in the wilderness and the desert. This points to the eventual return from Babylonian exile, a journey that would also require God's direct intervention to provide a way. It's a promise that God continues to make paths for His people, even when the circumstances seem barren and desolate.
Understand the original words
Yahweh · Hebrew Noun
The proper name of the God of Israel, YHWH, revealing His self-existence, covenant faithfulness, and holiness. It is the name by which He makes Himself known to His people.
derek · Hebrew Noun
In a biblical context, a 'way' refers not only to a path but to the course of life, divine guidance, or the sovereign act of God creating a method of salvation or deliverance for His people.
bin · Hebrew Verb
An act of the mind or heart involving focused attention, contemplation, or reflection upon God's past works or future purposes, often used in Scripture as an imperative to acknowledge God's sovereignty.
chadash · Hebrew Adjective
This verse powerfully recalls the Exodus from Egypt, a foundational event for Israel. The prophet uses this memory to assure the exiles in Babylon that God, who once made a way through the sea, will again miraculously deliver them, even as Cyrus's rise to power signals a new era of potential liberation.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
King Hezekiah and Isaiah trusted in the Lord for Jerusalem's deliverance from the Assyrian army, which was miraculously answered. This event reinforced the idea of God's special protection over Zion.
c. 621 BC
Discovery of the Book of the Law
During Josiah's reign, the Book of the Law was found, leading to religious reforms. This event deepened the nation's commitment to the covenant, but also highlighted their continued spiritual struggles.
605 BC
Nebuchadnezzar's Victory at Carchemish
Nebuchadnezzar defeated the Egyptian army, establishing Babylonian dominance over the region and setting the stage for Judah's future captivity.
598 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem and took captive a significant portion of the population, including the royal family and skilled workers, marking the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
This passage directly parallels Isaiah's imagery by describing God miraculously parting the Red Sea to lead the Israelites to safety, foreshadowing a greater deliverance.
Psalm 77:19-20This psalm recounts God's mighty acts, including making a path through the sea and a way through powerful waters, echoing the same theme of divine intervention in impossible situations.
Joshua 3:14-17This passage describes God stopping the Jordan River's flow, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground, similar to the Red Sea crossing and reinforcing the idea of God making paths through water.
Nehemiah 9:11This verse explicitly references God making a way through the sea for His people, acknowledging the historical precedent that Isaiah is invoking.
Isaiah 43:19This verse immediately follows Isaiah's statement about making a way in the sea, announcing God's intention to do a 'new thing' by making a way in the wilderness, expanding the theme of divine provision for His people's journey.
barnesIsaiah 43:16: "Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;"
Thus saith the Lord - This verse contains a reference to the deliverance from Egyptian servitude - the great storehouse of argument and illustration with the sacred writers; the standing demonstration of God's merciful interposition in behalf of their nation, and proof that he was their God. Which maketh - Whose characteristic it is to open a path of safety for his people even when deep and rapi…
cambridgeIsaiah 43:16: "Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;"
16 . Thus saith the Lord ] The oracle itself begins at Isaiah 43:18 ; it is prefaced in Isaiah 43:16 f. by a vivid description of the mighty power of Jehovah, as illustrated once for all at the crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 14 f.). in the mighty waters ] Cf. Nehemiah 9:11 . 16–21 . The sequel to the overthrow of Babylon is the deliverance of Israel, the method of which is compared with the gre…
This verse points to God's power not just in historical miracles like parting the Red Sea, but also in His ongoing ability to overcome any obstacle. It’s a reminder that God doesn't just deal with what we can see; He makes a way even through the "mighty waters," symbolizing overwhelming challenges we can't navigate on our own.
This verse serves as an introduction to a new message from God, reminding His people of His past mighty acts. It immediately precedes God's promise to do a "new thing" for Israel, contrasting His power with the idols of other nations. The prophecy is set against the backdrop of the Babylonian exile, with God invoking the memory of the miraculous parting of the Red Sea to assure them of His ability to deliver them from their current bondage.
This verse serves as an introduction to a new message from God, reminding His people of His past mighty acts. It immediately precedes God's promise to do a "new thing" for Israel, contrasting His power with the idols of other nations. The prophecy is set against the backdrop of the Babylonian exile, with God invoking the memory of the miraculous parting of the Red Sea to assure them of His ability to deliver them from their current bondage.
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To bring into existence something entirely fresh or a new manifestation of God's redemptive power, distinct from but built upon the foundation of His past acts.
midbar · Hebrew Noun
An uncultivated, desolate, or uninhabited place often used in Scripture as a place of testing, refuge, and the site of God’s miraculous provision for His people.
587 or 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Second Deportation
Jerusalem was destroyed, and the remaining population was taken into exile, completing the devastation of the land and the Temple.
c. 550 BC— this verse
Cyrus the Great's Rise to Power
Cyrus began his conquests, uniting the Medes and Persians, and posing a significant threat to the Babylonian empire.
539 BC
Fall of Babylon
Cyrus conquered Babylon, paving the way for the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem.
"Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a…" — This verse points to God's power not just in historical miracles like parting the Red Sea, but also in His ongoing ability to overcome any obstacle. It’s a reminder that God doesn't just deal with wh…
