Behold, I Am Doing a New Thing

Understanding the Context

These verses are part of a larger section in Isaiah where God is speaking words of comfort and promise to the Israelites, who are facing the challenging reality of exile in Babylon. God has reminded them of His power and faithfulness in the past, particularly the Exodus from Egypt. However, in these verses, God shifts their focus from the past to the future, promising an even greater act of redemption and restoration.

"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old"

This is not a command to forget history entirely, but rather an instruction not to be so fixated on past events, even great acts of God, that it prevents them from seeing what God is doing now and will do in the future. Their past, even with God's intervention, included failures and consequences (like exile). God is inviting them to move forward.

"Behold, I am doing a new thing"

This is a powerful declaration from God. He is not limited to His past actions; He is continually at work, initiating something fresh and unprecedented.

"now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?": God is actively doing this new thing now, and it's already beginning to appear, like a plant pushing through the soil. The question challenges them (and us) to be attentive and recognize God's work. Sometimes, we can be so focused on the past or our present difficulties that we miss what God is already starting to do.

"I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert"

This imagery is rich with meaning. The wilderness and desert represent places of difficulty, barrenness, and impossibility. God promises to create a path and provide life-giving water in the most unexpected and challenging circumstances. This speaks to His ability to bring hope, provision, and a way forward even when it seems impossible.