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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 43:14-21

To so low an ebb were the faith and hope of God's people in Babylon brought that there needed line upon line to assure them that they should be released out of their captivity; and therefore, that they might have strong consolation, the assurances of it are often repeated, and here very expressly and encouragingly. I. God here takes to himself such titles of his honour as were very encouraging to them. He is the Lord their Redeemer, not only he will redeem them, but will take it upon him as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 43:18

Remember ye not the former things ,.... Just now referred to, the bringing of Israel out of Egypt, and through the Red sea, and the drowning of Pharaoh and his army in it; for though these things were worthy to be remembered with thankfulness and praise, and to the glory of God, and for the encouragement of faith, yet not in comparison of what was hereafter to be done; meaning, not the redemption from Babylon, unless as a type of spiritual and eternal redemption by Christ; for otherwise... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 43:19

Behold, I will do a new thing ,.... A wonderful and unheard of thing, and therefore introduced with a "behold", as a note of admiration; the same with the new thing created in the earth, Jeremiah 31:22 , the incarnation of the Son of God; who took flesh of a virgin, appeared in the likeness of sinful flesh, and was made sin and a curse for his people, in order to obtain eternal redemption for them; which blessing, though not newly thought of, resolved on, contrived, and agreed upon, that... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 43:19

Behold, I will do a new thing - At Isaiah 43:16 , the prophet had referred to the deliverance from Egypt and the passage through the Red Sea; here he promises that the same power shall be employed in their redemption and return from the Babylonish captivity. This was to be a new prodigy. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 43:14-21

A DECLARATION AGAINST BABYLON , AND A PROMISE OF ISRAEL 'S RESTORATION . Having wound up the preceding "controversy" with a reference to his own power to work great results ( Isaiah 43:13 ), Jehovah now brings forward two examples—the discomfiture of Babylon ( Isaiah 43:14 , Isaiah 43:15 ), and the recovery and restoration of Israel ( Isaiah 43:16-21 ), both of which he is about to accomplish. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 43:16-21

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 43:18

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 43:19

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 43:18

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 43:19

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

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