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31st July 2024
TuesdayReflection
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John Calahan
NeverThirsty.org
'I will do something new'
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In the major and minor prophets, God repeatedly warned the nation of Israel that He would punish them if they did not stop sinning and worshiping other gods.
Sadly, the kingdoms of Israel and Judah did not repent.
In response, God announced judgment upon them, but He also comforted them with a promise of the Messiah and the future messianic kingdom.
One such passage is Isaiah 43:19
In verses 14-15, God informed Israel that He would punish the Babylonian empire.
God does not give His reason for this action.
But we can find His reason in Jeremiah 25:12-14, which says that the Babylonian empire had been overly abusive to the Jewish people.
Later in Isaiah 45:1-5, God tells them that He would use Cyrus, the king of the Medo-Persian empire, to accomplish this.
In verse 15 God reminded Israel that He is their King, even though they had asked for a different king.
He will do this because He is their King.
I am the LORD, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.
.... Isaiah 43:15 (NASB)
Then in verses 16-17, God reminds Israel that He had rescued them from Egypt by parting the Red Sea.
Israel fled from the Egyptian army by walking on the dry sea bed while the water of the Red Sea stood like a wall.
That is the meaning of what God said in verses 16-17.
Thus says the LORD, Who makes a way through the sea And a path through the mighty waters, Who brings forth the chariot and the horse, The army and the mighty man (They will lie down together and not rise again; They have been quenched and extinguished like a wick)
Isaiah 43:16-17 NASB
This should have reminded Israel that God can rescue Israel from their enemies.
He is their King of kings.
As their Messiah, Christ will eventually defeat their enemies and reign as their King.
At this point, Israel probably wondered how God would accomplish this?
Therefore, God announced that they should not reflect on what God had done in the past (Isaiah 43:18).
Why?
Because God said,
"I will do something new."
Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19 NASB
What is the "something new"?
God explains that He will make roads in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
The message is that the desert will become lush.
Consequently, the animals will multiply and people will not thirst.
God seems to imply that the animals will thank God.
The wild beasts will honour me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.
Isaiah 43:20-21 (NASB)
Thus God will prove Himself faithful to His chosen people.
Other passages describe the conditions that will exist during Christ's millennial kingdom as He reigns as king.
Truly, Christ ruling the entire world from Jerusalem and the promised living conditions that will be enjoyed by those living in the kingdom will be something new!
God repeatedly reminded Israel that some day He would rescue them from their enemies and reign as their King.
Since Micah 5:2-3 is a clear prophecy about the Messiah that points to Jesus Christ, this confirms again that Christ is our God.
He will rule and establish a kingdom for Israel and reign as their King in fulfillment of all of His promises!
Isaiah 43:14-21 is a promise of future things.
Even while He disciplined them for their rebellion, God punished and yet encouraged them at the same time.
We have a loving God who seeks our holiness! God has promised to do something new.
It will happen.
Come quickly Lord Jesus!
><(((°>
'I Jean (John) Calahan '
am a retired pastor of a non-denominational church now devoting myself full-time to the on-line teaching ministry of NeverThirsty.org
We are committed to in-depth, verse-by-verse teaching of the Word of God and answering Bible questions so that every Christian can become spiritual fathers in the faith.
I (John) have the desire to help you become a Christian first, and then to grow in your faith.
I am committed to love and sound doctrine.
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