“This is what the Lord says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:16, 18-19
“A way through the sea” is a reminder of the exodus and the destruction of Pharaoh’s armies.
“Forget the former things” does not mean God’s people should forget the former things by which God revealed Himself. The Lord instructs them to set aside reflection on the exodus so they can consider a still more glorious future. The kingdom of Israel inaugurated at the first Exodus and the conquest of the Promised Land would be insignificant compared to the new kingdom God would establish.
“A new thing” refers to Cyrus’ command for the exiles to return to Jerusalem; the fall of Babylon and Israel’s restoration. Israel could expect something new – a miracle so marvelous as to eclipse the former things. Rather than looking back on the glory days of the past exodus, the Lord wants His people to see Him as their present provider of exodus, their deliverer from Babylon. He demonstrates this by bringing life-giving water to His people living in the wilderness and desert.
“A way in the wilderness” means the Lord would give the exiles an unobstructed route back to the Promised Land. “Streams in the wasteland” means even in desolate regions the Lord would refresh His people.
God’s blessings on your day…