What is the meaning of Isaiah 43:18-19?

Isaiah 43:18-19 is a profound passage that has resonated with believers for centuries. It reads:

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." (Isaiah 43:18-19, NIV)

To fully grasp the meaning of these verses, it's important to understand their context within the Book of Isaiah and the broader narrative of the Bible. Isaiah, one of the Major Prophets, ministered during a critical period in Israel's history, spanning the reigns of several kings and addressing the looming threat of Assyrian and Babylonian invasions. His prophecies are rich with themes of judgment, hope, and redemption.

In Isaiah 43, God speaks to the Israelites who are in exile in Babylon. They are a people who have experienced profound loss and displacement. The preceding verses recount God's past deliverances, such as the Exodus from Egypt and the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea (Isaiah 43:16-17). These historical acts of salvation are foundational to Israel's identity and faith. However, in verses 18-19, God shifts the focus from the past to the future.

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past."

This command may initially seem surprising. Why would God instruct His people to forget the monumental acts of deliverance that He Himself performed? The intention here is not to erase these events from memory but to encourage the Israelites to not be anchored solely in past experiences of God's intervention. The past is important, but it should not limit the expectation of what God can do in the present and future. Clinging too tightly to past experiences can sometimes hinder our ability to see and embrace new works of God.

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?"

God is announcing that He is initiating a new act of deliverance, one that is unprecedented and transformative. The use of the word "see" is an invitation to open their spiritual eyes and recognize the beginnings of this new work. The phrase "now it springs up" conveys immediacy and vitality, suggesting that this new thing is already in motion and growing, even if it is not yet fully visible.

"I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

This imagery is rich with symbolism and hope. The "wilderness" and "wasteland" represent places of desolation, difficulty, and barrenness. For the Israelites, the wilderness recalls their ancestors' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, a time of trial and dependence on God's provision. By promising to make a way in the wilderness, God is assuring His people that He will guide and provide for them in their current circumstances of exile and despair.

The mention of "streams in the wasteland" evokes the idea of life and refreshment in the most unlikely places. Water is a powerful symbol of life, renewal, and sustenance in the Bible. In a spiritual sense, this promise indicates that God will bring renewal and hope to the dry and desolate places of their lives. It signifies a transformation that only God can accomplish, turning desolation into abundance.

Theologically, these verses highlight several key themes:

1. God's Sovereignty and Creativity: God is not limited by past methods or actions. He is continually at work, creating new paths and possibilities for His people. This speaks to His sovereign power and creative nature.

2. Hope and Renewal: For a people in exile, these verses are a profound message of hope. They assure the Israelites that their current situation is not the end of their story. God is actively working to bring about their restoration and renewal.

3. Invitation to Faith: The call to perceive the new thing God is doing is an invitation to faith. It requires trust in God's promises and a willingness to look beyond present circumstances to the new possibilities that God is bringing forth.

4. Continuity and Fulfillment: While God is doing a new thing, it is not disconnected from His past acts of salvation. There is continuity in God's redemptive work. The new thing He is doing is a fulfillment and extension of His covenant promises.

In Christian interpretation, these verses also find fulfillment in the coming of Jesus Christ. The New Testament presents Jesus as the ultimate "new thing" that God has done. He is the way in the wilderness and the living water that brings life to the wasteland of human sin and separation from God. Jesus Himself alludes to this in John 7:37-38, where He declares, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them."

Furthermore, the Apostle Paul echoes the theme of newness in Christ in 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" This reinforces the idea that God's work in Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of His promise to do a new thing.

In summary, Isaiah 43:18-19 is a powerful declaration of God's ongoing work of salvation and renewal. It calls believers to look beyond past experiences and current hardships to the new and transformative work that God is doing. It is a message of hope, inviting us to trust in God's sovereign power to bring life and renewal to the most desolate places of our lives. Whether in the historical context of Israel's exile or in our personal spiritual journeys, these verses remind us that God is always at work, creating new paths and possibilities for His people.