GOD IS DOING A NEW THING.
Isaiah 43:16-21.
Isaiah reminds us of how the Sovereign LORD had opened the Red Sea, and made a path through the Jordan (Isaiah 43:16-17). Yet the Prophet is only looking back in order to look forward: “remember not” the former things - don’t yearn for what we might call the ‘good old days’ - for the LORD is doing a “new” thing (Isaiah 43:18-19)!
The return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon, whilst echoing the national epic of Israel, would far surpass it. Now the LORD was making a highway in the wilderness, and in place of the 40 years of seemingly aimless wanderings (Numbers 32:13) would be a swift journey under God’s protection (Ezra 8:31). The beasts of the field are pictured as marvelling at the gracious provision of the LORD (Isaiah 43:20)!
The name Judah means ‘Praise’ (Genesis 29:35) - and now at last the Jewish people would be in a position to show forth the praise of their God (Isaiah 43:21).
Christians, too, can look back upon the Red Sea miracle, and recall what Jesus spoke about with Moses and Elijah in the mount of Transfiguration: the "exodus" which He would accomplish at Jerusalem (Luke 9:31). How much more should we show forth our praise to the God who, in Christ, has washed us from our sins and made us a new people in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17)!
