Isaiah 43:19

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, [and] rivers in the desert.

Behold, I will do {H6213} a new thing {H2319}; now it shall spring forth {H6779}; shall ye not know {H3045} it? I will even make {H7760} a way {H1870} in the wilderness {H4057}, and rivers {H5104} in the desert {H3452}.

I am doing something new; it's springing up - can't you see it? I am making a road in the desert, rivers in the wasteland.

Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.

Behold, I will do a new thing; now shall it spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:19 is a powerful declaration of God's innovative power and His unwavering commitment to His people, promising a future act of deliverance and blessing that will surpass even His mighty deeds of the past. It speaks to God's ability to bring about new beginnings and provide abundantly even in the most desolate circumstances.

Context

This verse is situated within a section of Isaiah (chapters 40-55) known as the "Book of Comfort" or "Second Isaiah." The prophet is addressing the people of Israel who are in Babylonian exile, feeling abandoned and hopeless. God reminds them of His unique identity as the only true God, creator, and redeemer, contrasting Himself with the impotent idols of Babylon. He recalls His past faithfulness, particularly the Exodus from Egypt, but then pivots to promise an even greater, "new thing" of salvation. This promise follows God's affirmation of His identity as the only Savior (Isaiah 43:11) and His past mighty acts, such as making a way through the sea (Isaiah 43:16).

Key Themes

  • God's Innovative Power: The phrase "I will do a new thing" emphasizes God's capacity to act in fresh, unprecedented ways, beyond human expectation or past experience. It signifies that God is not limited to repeating history but can initiate entirely novel and miraculous interventions.
  • Divine Provision and Transformation: The imagery of "a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert" powerfully illustrates God's ability to bring life, guidance, and sustenance to the most desolate and impossible situations. It speaks of overcoming barrenness, creating pathways where none exist, and transforming places of despair into sources of life. This echoes earlier prophecies of the desert blooming in Isaiah 35:6-7.
  • A Call to Discernment and Recognition: The rhetorical question "shall ye not know it?" challenges the audience to open their eyes and hearts to perceive God's unfolding work. It's an invitation to recognize His hand and trust His timing when He acts, even if it doesn't fit their preconceived notions.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "new thing" is chadashah (חֲדָשָׁה), which implies something fresh, renewed, or unprecedented, not merely a repetition. It suggests a qualitative difference in God's upcoming work. The terms "wilderness" (midbar) and "desert" (yeshimon) are used to evoke places of extreme hardship, lack of water, and desolation. By promising a "way" and "rivers" in such places, the prophet highlights the truly miraculous and counter-intuitive nature of God's provision.

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 43:19 offers immense hope and encouragement. It assures us that God is not constrained by our past failures, present difficulties, or seemingly impossible circumstances. When we face personal "wildernesses" or "deserts"—situations of despair, lack, or stagnation—this verse reminds us that God is actively at work, ready to create new solutions, provide unexpected resources, and lead us where we thought there was no path. It encourages faith that God's transformative power can bring about a new creation in our lives and circumstances, prompting us to look for His hand and trust His timing. It is a reminder to embrace God's future plans with anticipation, knowing His faithfulness will always lead to renewal and abundant provision.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 48:6

    Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare [it]? I have shewed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them.

  • Isaiah 42:9

    Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:17

    Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

  • Revelation 21:5

    And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

  • Isaiah 41:18

    I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.

  • Luke 3:4

    As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

  • Luke 3:5

    Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways [shall be] made smooth;

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