Isaiah 43:18-19
“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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God is calling His people to focus on the incredible new thing He is about to do, rather than dwelling on past glories or troubles. This isn't about forgetting history, but about not letting the memory of past miracles overshadow the even greater wonder He is bringing forth right now.
God is about to do something remarkably new and powerful for His people, even surpassing the mighty deliverance from Egypt. To prepare them for this future work, God tells them to shift their focus from past victories and consider His present and upcoming actions. This sets the stage for the announcement of a new way forward that He will create for them.
God's future plans often dwarf His past miracles. Are you ready to see what He's doing now?
The prophet Isaiah is speaking to a people who have experienced incredible acts of God in their past, like the Exodus from Egypt. These were defining moments, etched into their memory. Yet, God, through Isaiah, says, 'Remember not the former things, neither consider the things of old.' This isn't to erase history, but to highlight that God's future work will be so astounding, so transformative, that even the greatest past miracles will seem secondary in comparison.
Think about it: the Exodus involved parting the Red Sea and leading a nation through the wilderness. Those were massive demonstrations of God's power. But God is about to bring them out of Babylonian exile, a return that sets the stage for even greater redemptive acts. This 'new thing' isn't just about geographical relocation; it's about a new phase of God's covenant faithfulness and a foreshadowing of ultimate redemption.
Why does God do 'new things'? It's not random; it's deeply purposeful for His people.
When God declares, 'Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, you need not know it!' (Isaiah 43:19), He's revealing more than just His power. He's demonstrating His active, ongoing commitment to His people, Israel, who were in exile.
This 'new thing' involved a miraculous return from Babylon. Isaiah paints a vivid picture: 'I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.' This wasn't just a metaphor for a smooth journey; it speaks to God's provision in the most barren and impossible circumstances. He would create pathways where none existed, bringing sustenance and life to a parched land for His chosen people.
This points to a profound truth: God's actions are always aimed at fulfilling His promises and demonstrating His faithfulness. The 'new thing' is a testament to His redemptive plan, a tangible sign that He has not forgotten His people and is actively working to restore them.
Understand the original words
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, spoken during the Babylonian exile, encourages the people to look forward to a new, even greater act of deliverance by God, surpassing the miraculous exodus from Egypt. It highlights the shift from remembering past glories to anticipating future divine intervention.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
Isaiah prophesied that Jerusalem would not fall during the Assyrian siege, a prophecy that was miraculously fulfilled.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar defeats Pharaoh Necho at Carchemish and begins his subjugation of Judah, leading to the first deportation of Jews to Babylon.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Jerusalem is conquered by Nebuchadnezzar, leading to a second, larger deportation of the Judean elite, including the prophet Ezekiel.
587 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its temple, exiling the remaining population and completing the Babylonian captivity.
c. 540 BC
This passage echoes Isaiah's sentiment by stating that future redemptions will be so significant they'll overshadow the Exodus from Egypt, making the old deliverance seem less remarkable by comparison.
Jeremiah 23:7-8This prophecy directly parallels Isaiah's promise of a new and greater exodus, specifically mentioning a future deliverance that will eclipse the memory of the Exodus from Egypt.
Isaiah 43:19This verse immediately follows the one in question, explaining *what* the new thing is: God making a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, directly fulfilling the call to forget the past.
Isaiah 44:26This passage reinforces the idea of God actively doing new things and revealing His plans, aligning with the call to focus on the future rather than dwelling on past events.
Romans 8:18The Apostle Paul speaks of the present sufferings not being comparable to the future glory that will be revealed, mirroring Isaiah's call to look forward to a greater 'new thing' and set aside former troubles.
barnesIsaiah 43:18: "Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old."
Remember ye not ... - So great and wonderful shall be God's future interpositions in your behalf, that what he has done, great as that was, shall be comparatively forgotten. The former things - The deliverance from Egypt, and the overthrow of his enemies there. The things of old - The things that were formerly done.
bensonIsaiah 43:18: "Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old."
Isaiah 43:18-19 . Remember ye not the former things — But although your former deliverance out of Egypt was in itself a most glorious work, which you ought always to remember and consider; yet this other work, of your deliverance out of Babylon, and those blessings which shall follow upon it, and particularly that of sending the Messiah, shall be so transcendent a favour, that, in comparison thereof, all your…
God is calling His people to focus on the incredible new thing He is about to do, rather than dwelling on past glories or troubles. This isn't about forgetting history, but about not letting the memory of past miracles overshadow the even greater wonder He is bringing forth right now.
God is about to do something remarkably new and powerful for His people, even surpassing the mighty deliverance from Egypt. To prepare them for this future work, God tells them to shift their focus from past victories and consider His present and upcoming actions. This sets the stage for the announcement of a new way forward that He will create for them.
God is about to do something remarkably new and powerful for His people, even surpassing the mighty deliverance from Egypt. To prepare them for this future work, God tells them to shift their focus from past victories and consider His present and upcoming actions. This sets the stage for the announcement of a new way forward that He will create for them.
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Cyrus the Great Conquers Lydia
Cyrus expands his Persian empire, conquering Lydia and subjugating much of Asia Minor, setting the stage for his campaign against Babylon.
539 BC— this verse
Cyrus Captures Babylon
Cyrus conquers the Neo-Babylonian Empire, leading to the release of the Jewish exiles and their return to Jerusalem.
"“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." — God is calling His people to focus on the incredible new thing He is about to do, rather than dwelling on past glories or troubles. This isn't about forgetting history, but about not letting the memo…
