The Lord, which maketh a way in the sea . The deliverance out of Egypt is glanced at, to prepare the way for the announcement of deliverance from the hand of Babylon. Then "a way was made in the sea" ( Exodus 14:21-29 ), "and a path in the mighty waters;" now it will be necessary to make "a way in the wilderness" ( Isaiah 43:19 ). read more
Three deliverances. In the past, Israel had had one great and unparalleled deliverance, that, namely— I. FROM THE POWER OF EGYPT . With a "mighty hand and a stretched-out arm" God had saved them from the miserable fate of being bondservants, bound to task-work, and compelled to labour under the lash. He had effected their deliverance by a series of miracles, culminating in the death of the firstborn, and the passage of the Red Sea, whereby it might have been hoped that the... read more
Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse . Still the reference is to the events of the Exodus, whereof Israel is reminded, since "the redemption out of Egypt was a type and pledge of the deliverance to be looked for out of Babylon" (Delitzsch). God then "brought out" after Israel, to attack him, "chariot and horse, army and power;" but the result was their destruction. They shall lie down … they shall not rise ; rather, they lie down … they do not rise (so Cheyne and Delitzsch). The... read more
Remember ye not the former things . The old deliverance will be as nothing compared with the new. Israel must cast its eye forwards, not backwards. Mr. Cheyne well compares Jeremiah 23:7 , Jeremiah 23:8 , and also well notes that "the chief glories of the second manifestation are spiritual." Israel in the wilderness was a stiff:necked and rebellious people, given to murmuring, licentiousness, and idolatry. Israel, returned from Babylon, will no more hanker after idols, but will have... read more
Behold, I will do a new thing (comp. Isaiah 42:9 , with the comment). It is, of course, quite possible that the novelty is not merely in the circumstances of the deliverance, but extends to all its results, among which is the Messianic kingdom—verily, a "new thing" (see Jeremiah 31:22 ). Now it shall spring forth ; rather, already it is springing up (comp. Isaiah 42:9 ). Things, however, are more advanced (to the prophet's eye) than when that passage was written. Events are... read more
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
This people have I formed for myself (see above, Isaiah 43:7 , and comp. Proverbs 16:4 ). They shall show forth my praise ; i.e. their restoration to their own land shall cause them to glorify me both with songs of praise (for the fulfilment, see Ezra 3:9-11 ; Nehemiah 12:27 ; and the post-Captivity psalms), and also by a life in accordance with my laws. read more
The true end of life. This is illustrated, for us all, in the true end for which the Hebrew tribes were formed into a nation. They were organized in Egypt, delivered, trained in the wilderness, and settled in the land of Canaan for distinct purposes of God. They were formed into a nation "for himself," to "show forth his praise." St. Peter applies this view of the old Israel of God to the new Israel of God, the first Christian Church. "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy... read more
But thou hast not called upon me . The Jews had never been greatly given to prayer. They were a "practical" people, active, energetic, hard-working, busily employed in handicrafts, commerce, or agriculture. David and Daniel, who prayed three times a day ( Psalms 55:17 ; Daniel 6:10 ), were probably exceptions to the general rule. At any rate, it appears here that in the exile the nation had neglected prayer. No doubt there was a nucleus of "faithful men," who did as Daniel did. But with... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 43:15
The Creator of Israel . An unusual epithet; but comp. Isaiah 43:1 , Isaiah 43:7 . Your King (see 8:23 ; 1 Samuel 8:7 ; 1 Samuel 12:12 ; and comp. Isaiah 33:22 ; Isaiah 45:6 ). read more