Isaiah 43:16-19 - Forget the former things

43:16,17

This is a reference to the Israelites passing through the Red Sea to escape the Egyptians, and the parting of the Jordan to enter the promised land. The Exodus was central to Israel’s identity, it is also vital for all of us. First the reference here shows that the Exodus was not the final act, there was much more to come. Secondly they, and the associated events, are a reminder that salvation was totally dependent upon the Lord. There was no natural way that Israel could escape, but she did because God made a way. She had been oppressed for hundreds of years, and would seemingly always be so. Yet God intervened and transformed everything.

43:18,19

“Forget the former things ...”. While she should remember the past, she should not stay stuck in the past. The same applies to all of us. This means not relying on past victories, not thinking that we are stuck in oppression of whatever sort forever. There is a right and a wrong way of remembering the past. We should learn from the times we have seen God act in our lives, we should remember His power, His love and His faithfulness. We should remember the things we have been saved from. But God is a God who does new things. What we have seen Him do in the past is an assurance that He is well able to do the necessary great things in the future. And He will act beyond our imagination, we must not limit God.