Isaiah 43:18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The apostle Paul articulates this as well: "Now we know in part; but when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away with" (1 Cor. 13:9, 10). Therefore, although the deeds performed by God through the wise Moses are remarkable and beyond description, what has been accomplished through the might of our Savior is infinitely more glorious; for by Him and through Him, countless souls across the entire world have attained salvation. He calls us to forget the former things and to focus instead on Him who is far superior and possesses the utmost glory. "I will make a way in the wilderness," He declares. Here, the wilderness signifies the ancient, dry, thorny multitude of the Gentiles, where not a single individual was righteous, honorable, or capable of good works; as the Psalmist expresses, "All have turned away; they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one" (Psalm 13:3). In this barren landscape, a pathway emerges leading those who traverse it toward the genuine knowledge of God, a holy and blameless life, and a comprehensive understanding of every good deed. We suggest that this way represents either the divine, gospel-based, and salvific proclamation, or Christ Himself, as He clearly affirms, "I am the way" (John 14:6). Not only has the way manifested in the wilderness, but also rivers have emerged that provide those in the desert with nourishing waters for the soul. These may be interpreted as the ministers of gospel and apostolic revelations. The divine David also alludes to them when he states, "The rivers have lifted up their voice" (Psalm 92:3), and he further notes, "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world" (Psalm 18:5). The rivers could symbolize the leaders of the nations, those equipped to accurately teach the mystery of the waters of life, who can refresh with words of godliness those who approach Christ through faith. In contrast, he describes the multitude of Gentiles as parched, lacking a teacher of truth and the living water; they claimed wisdom but became foolish, as the blessed and divine Paul explained, turning the glory of the incorruptible God into images of corruptible beings, such as men and animals (Rom. 1:22, 23). Therefore, when the way is revealed in the wilderness, and the rivers appear in the dry land, "the beasts of the field, the jackals, and the daughters of the ostriches shall glorify Me," for "I have given water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My people, My chosen" to manifest My virtues. The "beasts of the field" likely refer to those who, through extreme folly, have become wild and live in a brutish manner. This aptly describes the life of the Gentiles. The "jackals" and "daughters of the ostriches" allude to those who can speak elegantly and have become skilled in rhetoric. The God-inspired Scripture often associates jackals with certain vocal birds, known for their melodious yet light sounds—much like the teachers of Hellenic superstition, including poets and prose authors. Although their words may be pleasing and melodious, they fail to convey necessary truths. Nonetheless, all these shall extol Me as the one who provides spiritual nourishment and has opened rivers in a parched land, to sustain My chosen people. And what sort of generation is this, except for those whom the wise Peter proclaimed, saying: "You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God" (1 Pet. 2:9, 10).

This people I have shaped for Myself; they shall proclaim My glory. The Lord, who brought devastation upon Babylon, rendered its valiant warriors powerless, and captured all the Chaldeans who once thrived amidst the tumultuous waves of this world, Himself carved a path through the strong waters of the Red Sea, allowing His people, redeemed from Egypt, to pass through unharmed. He who made a way through the Red Sea also provided a crossing in the formidable waters of the Jordan, that the departure from Egypt and entrance into the Promised Land might be wondrous. He submerged the chariots and steeds of Pharaoh’s army in the depths, which have fallen victim to eternal slumber. They are crushed and vanish like flax, quickly and without trace. For the flax, before it is consumed by flame, and due to its natural lightness, is swiftly extinguished, turning into ashes. Therefore, I urge you, regarding the signs and wonders that led to the downfall of the mighty city of Babylon, and through which the channels were opened in the Red Sea and the Jordan for My people, do not recall the things of old; for in the Gospel, I will bring forth a far more magnificent event, surpassing the significance of what has previously transpired. Instead of a path through the Red Sea, I will create a way through the wilderness of the entire world. Not just one river or spring will flow from the rock, but many rivers, which will not sustain bodies as before, but shall nourish parched souls; and those words noted previously, "you shall drink from the waters of the springs of the Saviour," shall indeed come to fruition. Then, that which has never been witnessed shall occur, as all creatures of the wilderness, the dragons, and the ostriches, which have resided in the desolate land of the nations and have resembled beasts through idolatry and coarse behavior, shall honor and glorify Me. Instead of dragons, which Theodotion uniquely referred to as thannim (or thennim), as indicated in the Hebrew text, the other translators termed them sirens — monstrous beings whose sweet yet deadly songs enticed others to be devoured by the dogs of Scylla. This signifies that those who once indulged in pleasures and lacked self-restraint will turn to serve the Lord, though a reference to dragons seems more fitting, as the ostriches are also included, bringing together those who traverse the wilderness. Yet the creatures of the field, the dragons, and the ostriches shall glorify and honor Me, says He, for I have provided water in the wilderness of the Gentiles and rivers in the parched lands of the nations, so that My chosen people, whom I have redeemed through My blood, may drink and proclaim My praises and My deeds.

Furthermore, it is reiterated that the Jews, if they seek Christ, will find their thirst quenched by us, meaning they will receive the grace of baptism from us. The prophet states: “And they thirst not in the deserts through which He leads them: He bringeth them water out of the rock; He cleaveth the rock, and waters flow out” (Isaiah 48:21). This prophecy came to fruition in the Gospel when Christ, identified as the Rock, was pierced by a spear during His Passion. Remembering the prophet’s words, He exclaims, “If anyone thirsts, come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, rivers of living water will flow from his belly, as the Scripture says” (Jn 7:37-38). To clarify that the Lord is not referring to physical drinking, but to baptism, the Scripture adds, “He said these things concerning the Spirit, whom those who believe in Him have received” (Jn 7:39). The Holy Spirit is bestowed through baptism, and as a result, those who are baptized and receive the Holy Spirit come to partake in the spiritual cup.