Isaiah 43:19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The wise Apostle Paul expressed a similar sentiment: "Now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known" (1 Cor. 13:12). Therefore, while the miracles performed by the wise Moses are indeed extraordinary, what has been accomplished through the authority and strength of our Savior is infinitely more glorious and profound. By Him, countless individuals across the globe have found salvation. Therefore, He directs us to forget the former things and instead to focus on Him who holds far greater excellence and glory. He proclaims, "I will make a way in the wilderness." Here, the wilderness symbolizes the ancient, barren, and thorny multitude of the Gentiles, for amongst them, there was not a single person who was righteous, honorable, or capable of doing good. As the Psalmist confesses, "They have all turned aside; they have together become corrupt; there is none who does good, no, not one" (Psalm 14:3). Yet, in this desolate landscape, a path emerged, leading those who traverse it to a true understanding of God, a holy and blameless life, and a comprehensive grasp of every good deed. This path is understood as either the divine gospel that brings salvation or even Christ Himself, as we hear Him declare, "I am the way" (John 14:6). Moreover, not only did the way appear in the wilderness, but also streams that could provide those in this desolate place with enlightening and life-giving waters. These streams are believed to represent the ministers of the gospel and apostolic revelations. The divinely inspired David also alludes to them, saying, "The rivers lift up their voices" (Psalm 92:3), and he further notes that "Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world" (Psalm 19:4). These rivers can be interpreted as the leaders of nations who are able to accurately teach the mysteries of spiritual truth, proficiently providing the water of life to those who come to Christ in faith. However, he describes the Gentile multitude as waterless, lacking a teacher of truth and the life-giving water. In their pursuit of wisdom, they became foolish, as the blessed Apostle Paul points out, exchanging the glory of the incorruptible God for images resembling mortal man and animals, and creeping things (Rom. 1:22, 23). Consequently, when the way appears in the wilderness, and rivers emerge in the parched land, "the beasts of the field shall honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert to give drink to My people, My chosen" (Isa. 43:20). The "beasts of the field" symbolize those who, through extreme folly, have become wild and lived in a beastly manner, much like the Gentiles. The reference to "jackals and ostriches" may signify those skilled in speech and eloquence. Holy Scripture often likens the eloquent to the lively birds that produce sweet and melodious sounds. Such were the proponents of Hellenic superstition, the poets, and prose writers whose words, though pleasant and harmonious, lacked any true substance. Nevertheless, all of these shall praise the One who provides spiritual sustenance and opens rivers in dry places, allowing His chosen people to be nourished. And who is this chosen generation if not the very ones to whom the wise Peter also called out, declaring, "But 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).

The Lord, who vanquished and forsook Babylon, stripping its mighty men of their strength, and capturing all the Chaldeans, who once navigated the currents of this world, opened a way through the powerful waters of the Red Sea for His people, liberated from Egypt, to pass. Similarly, the One who cleared a path in the Red Sea also made a way through the strong waters of the Jordan River, so that the exodus from Egypt and the entry into the Promised Land would be wondrous. He submerged the chariots and horses, all of Pharaoh's army, who now lie in eternal slumber. They are shattered and faded like flax, quickly and suddenly. For flax, not yet consumed by fire, decays into ashes due to its natural lightness as it is extinguished. Therefore, I exhort you that at the signs and wonders through which the mighty city of Babylon fell, and through which a way was opened for My people in the Red Sea and the Jordan, you should not remember the past, for in the Gospel I will accomplish something far greater, which will render the old things silent. For I will create a path, not through the Red Sea, but in the wilderness of the entire earth. And there will not just be one river or spring from the rock, but many rivers that will not merely sustain physical bodies as before, but will refresh thirsty souls. The promise, ‘you shall drink of the waters of the springs of the Saviour’ (Is. 12), will come to pass. What has never happened before will occur: all wild beasts, jackals, and ostriches residing in the heathen wilderness, previously akin to beasts because of the idolatrous blood and moral corruption, shall exalt and glorify Me. Instead of jackals, which Theodotion renders as thannim, as noted in the Hebrew text, others translated as sirens—monstrous creatures lured by their sweet yet fatal melodies, only to be devoured by the dogs of Scylla. This signifies that those who once indulged in pleasure and licentiousness will redirect their lives to serve the Lord; it is more fitting to interpret this as referring to dragons, as the mention of ostriches suggests, emphasizing the connection to the beasts of the wilderness and highlighting these creatures that thrive in desolation. Nevertheless, the beasts of the field, the dragons, and the ostriches shall glorify and extol Me, says the Lord, for I have provided water in the Gentile wilderness and rivers in the parched land of the nations, so that My chosen people, those whom I have redeemed with My blood, may drink and proclaim My praises and My virtues.

Furthermore, it is foretold that if the Jews thirst and seek Christ, they will find their thirst satisfied through us, indicating that they will receive baptismal grace 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 was fulfilled in the Gospel when Christ, identified as the Rock, was pierced during His suffering. Remembering the prophet's words, He proclaims, "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" (John 7:37-38). To clarify that the Lord is not referring to a physical cup, but rather to baptism, the Scripture adds, "He said these things concerning the Spirit, whom those who believe in Him have received" (John 7:39). The Holy Spirit is given through baptism, which is why those who have been baptized and have received the Holy Spirit are invited to partake in the cup.