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
I will do a new thing - Something that has not hitherto occurred, some unheard of and wonderful event, that shall far surpass all that he had formerly done (see the note at Isaiah 42:9).Now it shall spring forth - (See the note at Isaiah 42:9). It shall spring up as the grass does from the earth; or it shall bud forth like the opening leaves and flowers - a beautiful figure, denoting the manner in which the events of Divine Providence come to pass.I will even make a way in the wilderness - In... read more
The beast of the field shall honor me - The sense of this passage is plain, and the image is highly poetical and beautiful. God would pour such copious floods of waters through the waste sandy deserts to supply his people, that even the wild beasts would be sensible of his abundant goodness, and would break forth into thanksgiving and praise for the unusual supply.The dragons - (See the note at Isaiah 13:22). The Septuagint renders the word used here (תנין tannı̂yn), by σειρῆνες seirēnes -... 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
Isaiah 43:20. The beast of the field shall honour me Shall have cause, if they had abilities, to honour and praise me for their share in this mercy; the dragons, &c. Which live in dry and barren deserts. “The image,” says Bishop Lowth, “is elegant and highly poetical. God will give such an abundant, miraculous supply of water to his people traversing the dry desert, in their return to their country, that even the wild beasts, the serpents, the ostriches, and other animals that haunt... 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
a new thing. The future deliverance of Israel will be with greater marvels than at the Exodus. read more
I give waters, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 17:6 ). 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
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The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 43:20
The beast of the field shall honour me . The animal creation shall, participate in the benefits of the "new thing" introduced by the restoration of Israel, and in their dumb way shall show their gratitude. The dragons and the owls . The recent mention of the desert causes animals of the desert ( Isaiah 13:21 , Isaiah 13:22 ) to be taken as examples. (On the animals intended, see the comment on Isaiah 34:13 .) If even the beasts of the desert honoured God, much more would the rest of... read more