Isaiah 43:16-19
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This verse isn't just about God parting the Red Sea for Moses; it's a profound reminder that the God who performed that miracle is the same God who orchestrates the seemingly impossible throughout history, including for us today. He's not just a historical figure but an active agent, creating pathways where none exist, demonstrating His power and faithfulness are an ongoing reality.
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)
This passage is part of a larger prophetic oracle that is addressing Israel during their exile in Babylon. The prophet is reminding them of God's past mighty acts of deliverance, particularly the exodus from Egypt, to assure them that He is about to act powerfully on their behalf again by bringing them back to their homeland. This imagery of God making a way through impossible obstacles is meant to build their faith as they await their future release.
God's power is not just theoretical; it's demonstrated in history! When you feel overwhelmed by circumstances, remember a time God did the impossible.
Isaiah begins this powerful declaration by reminding Israel of the ultimate display of God's power: parting the Red Sea. This wasn't just a historical event; it was God's signature act of redemption. He didn't just create a path; He made a way through the sea and a path through the mighty waters. This act guaranteed their freedom and demonstrated His unwavering commitment to His people, even when facing insurmountable obstacles.
God doesn't just part seas; He paves new paths where none existed. What seems like a dead end to you is just the beginning of God's creative power.
The verse doesn't just stop with the Red Sea. It points to God's ongoing, creative power to make paths, not just through water, but also through 'mighty waters.' This implies that God's intervention isn't limited to grand, singular events. He is the God who consistently carves out ways through the most treacherous and impassable situations. He doesn't just clear obstacles; He creates new ways where previously there were none. This is a promise of God's proactive involvement in our lives, guaranteeing passage and progress even when surrounded by overwhelming challenges.
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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
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.
This verse powerfully recalls God's dramatic parting of the Red Sea for Israel's escape from Egypt, a foundational event in their history. Isaiah uses this memory to assure the people in exile that God, who once made a path through the waters, will do so again, leading them out of Babylonian captivity. The imagery speaks to God's ultimate power over insurmountable obstacles and His commitment to delivering His people, even in their darkest hour.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
Hezekiah's Jerusalem withstands the Assyrian siege, a major victory that Isaiah had prophesied, reinforcing faith in Zion's inviolability.
605 BC
Nebuchadnezzar's Victory at Carchemish
Nebuchadnezzar defeats Pharaoh at Carchemish, beginning Babylon's dominance over Judah and initiating the period of Babylonian influence.
598 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar conquers Jerusalem, exiling King Jehoiachin and a significant portion of the elite, including the prophet Ezekiel.
587/586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Second Deportation
Jerusalem is destroyed, the Temple is burned, and the remaining population is exiled to Babylon, marking the end of the Judean monarchy.
c. 550 BC
Rise of Cyrus the Great
Cyrus begins his military campaigns, unifying the Persian tribes and preparing to challenge the Babylonian Empire, fulfilling prophetic expectations of a deliverer.
c. 540-539 BC
Cyrus's Campaigns in Asia Minor and Preparations for Babylon
Cyrus conquers Lydia and secures his western borders, positioning himself to invade Babylonia, a development anticipated by the prophet.
539 BC— this verse
Fall of Babylon
Cyrus captures Babylon, ending the Neo-Babylonian Empire and paving the way for the return of the Jewish exiles to Jerusalem.
This passage directly parallels Isaiah's imagery by describing God making a way through the Red Sea, highlighting His power to overcome impossible obstacles for His people.
Psalm 77:19This psalm reflects on God's powerful intervention in the Exodus, mentioning His path through the waters, echoing the imagery of Isaiah's declaration.
Joshua 3:15-17This passage describes God making a path through the Jordan River for the Israelites, showcasing His ability to control mighty waters to lead His people, similar to the Red Sea crossing.
Nehemiah 9:11This verse recalls God's miraculous act of parting the Red Sea, directly linking it to His deliverance of Israel and aligning with Isaiah's reminder of God's powerful past actions.
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 isn't just about God parting the Red Sea for Moses; it's a profound reminder that the God who performed that miracle is the same God who orchestrates the seemingly impossible throughout history, including for us today. He's not just a historical figure but an active agent, creating pathways where none exist, demonstrating His power and faithfulness are an ongoing reality.
This passage is part of a larger prophetic oracle that is addressing Israel during their exile in Babylon. The prophet is reminding them of God's past mighty acts of deliverance, particularly the exodus from Egypt, to assure them that He is about to act powerfully on their behalf again by bringing them back to their homeland. This imagery of God making a way through impossible obstacles is meant to build their faith as they await their future release.
This passage is part of a larger prophetic oracle that is addressing Israel during their exile in Babylon. The prophet is reminding them of God's past mighty acts of deliverance, particularly the exodus from Egypt, to assure them that He is about to act powerfully on their behalf again by bringing them back to their homeland. This imagery of God making a way through impossible obstacles is meant to build their faith as they await their future release.
"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 isn't just about God parting the Red Sea for Moses; it's a profound reminder that the God who performed that miracle is the same God who orchestrates the seemingly impossible throughout…
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Last reviewed October 2026
