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. read more
Isaiah 43:16-17. Which maketh a way in the sea, &c. Who, as he formerly made a way for Israel through the Red sea, will, in a no less wonderful manner, remove all impediments out of the way of his people when they return from Babylon. Which bringeth forth Or, rather, who brought forth, the chariots, &c. That is, Pharaoh and his chariots, horses, and army. They shall lie down, &c. They lay down together In the bottom of the sea, whence they never rose again to molest the... read more
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 former deliverances are scarcely worthy of your remembrance and consideration. See... read more
Redemption through God’s grace (43:1-28)Despite Israel’s failure and subsequent punishment, God has not cast off his people for ever. God used the power of foreign nations to enslave them and bring sufferings and hardships upon them, but he will now destroy the power of those nations. He will make them pay the ransom price for the redemption of captive Israel. They will fall so that Israel can go free (43:1-4). Wherever the captives are, they are still God’s people, and he will bring them back... read more
maketh a way in the sea. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 14:16 , Exodus 14:21 , Exodus 14:22 .Psalms 77:19; Psalms 77:19 ). read more
together: or, at once. tow = wick. Hebrew flax. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the wick made of it. read more
Isaiah 43:16-17. Thus saith the Lord— The prophet in these words confirms what he had advanced respecting the deliverance from Babylon, by the former deliverance which God had wrought for his people from Egypt; thus, from the view of the past, strengthening the faith and hope of believers in what was to come. Some, however, suppose that these words are a kind of preface to the following period, in which the new work of grace is foretold. read more
Isaiah 43:18-21. Remember ye not, &c.— Call not to mind former things, &c. Another specimen is here produced of a mighty work of divine providence and grace, of a singular and wonderful benefit to be conferred upon the church, which is here described as greater and more excellent than the former ones. From which work foretold and effected, the truth of the God of Israel is asserted against idolaters, and an argument is drawn for the support and establishment of the hope of believers.... read more
16, 17. Allusion to the deliverance of Israel and overthrow of Pharaoh in the Red Sea, the standing illustration of God's unchanging character towards His people (Exodus 14:21; Exodus 14:22; Exodus 14:27; Exodus 14:28). read more
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Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 43:17
Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse - The reference here is, undoubtedly, to the occurrences which are recorded in Exodus 14:4, following, when Pharaoh and his host are said to have followed the Israelites, but were all submerged in the sea. God is said to have brought them forth in accordance with the general statement so often made, that he controls and directs princes and nations (see the note at Isaiah 10:5-6).They shall lie down together - They shall sink together to death, as... read more