Isaiah 43:21Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The insightful Paul expresses a similar thought: “Now we know in part; but when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away” (1 Cor. 13:9, 10). Consequently, while the works accomplished by God through the wise Moses are indeed magnificent and inexpressible, the deeds wrought by the power and might of our Savior are infinitely greater and more resplendent; for through Him, an innumerable multitude across the entire universe has attained salvation. Therefore, He urges us to forget the past and focus our thoughts on Him who surpasses all in excellence and glory. “I will make a way in the wilderness,” He declares. Here, the wilderness symbolizes the ancient, dry, and thorny multitude of Gentiles, for among them, there was not one who was righteous, honorable, or capable of good deeds. As the Psalmist observes, “All have turned aside; they have together become corrupt; there is none who does good, no, not one” (Psalm 13:3). In this desolate expanse, however, a pathway has emerged, guiding those who traverse it toward the true knowledge of God, leading to a holy and blameless existence, and granting a full understanding of every good work. This pathway might well be identified as the divine, evangelical, and salvific proclamation, or even as Christ Himself, of whom it is clearly stated: “I am the way” (John 14:6). Yet, not only has the way been revealed in the wilderness, but also rivers that are able to provide life-giving and soul-refreshing waters for those in the desert. These rivers may be seen as the ministers of the Gospel and apostolic revelations. The divine David also reminds us of them, saying, “The rivers have lifted up their voices” (Psalm 92:3), and he further attests, “Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world” (Psalm 18:5). The rivers can be interpreted as the guides of the nations, who have the capacity to accurately teach the mystery of the living water and to nourish with teachings of piety those who approach Christ in faith. However, he describes the vast multitude of Gentiles as waterless since they lacked a teacher of truth who possessed the saving water; professing wisdom, they became foolish, as stated by the blessed and divine Paul, exchanging the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of corruptible beings, including humans, birds, and animals (Rom. 1:22, 23). Therefore, when the way emerges in the wilderness, and rivers are produced in the parched land, the wild beasts of the field, the Syrians, and the daughters of the Struthites will give glory to Me, for I have provided water in the wilderness and rivers in the barren land, to quench the thirst of My chosen people and to reveal My virtues. The wild beasts of the field signify those who, due to extreme irrationality, have turned feral and live in a beastly manner, reminiscent of the Gentiles’ own way of life. The Syrians and daughters of the Struthites represent those skilled in speech and experienced in rhetoric. It is common in the divinely inspired Scriptures to refer to Syrians as the most melodious of birds, known for their delicate and pleasant sounds. Such were the purveyors of Hellenic superstition: the poets and prose writers. Although their words may be pleasant and harmonious, they impart nothing essential. Yet, all these shall praise Me as the one who provides spiritual water and has opened rivers in a parched land for the sustenance of My chosen people. And what kind of generation is this, if not the very ones to whom the astute Peter called out, 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).

The Lord, who devastated Babylon and discarded its mighty ones, stripping the Chaldeans of their strength, who had thrived amidst the tumult of this world, made a way through the powerful waters of the Red Sea for His people, liberated from Egypt, to cross. Similarly, the One who opened the Red Sea also created a pathway through the robust waters of the Jordan River, so that the deliverance from Egypt and the entrance into the Promised Land may be wondrous. He submerged the chariots and horses and all of Pharaoh’s forces in the depths, where they fell into a perpetual slumber. They are shattered and have faded away, like flax, swiftly and instantly. For flax, which has not yet been consumed by fire, because of its inherent lightness, is quickly extinguished and turns to ash. Therefore, I instruct you that at the signs and wonders which led to the downfall of the mighty city of Babylon, and which paved the way for My people in the Red Sea and the Jordan, do not remember the former things; for in the Gospel, I will accomplish far greater works, overshadowing the old. I will forge a path, not in the Red Sea, but across the wilderness of the world. And instead of a single river or spring emerging from the rock, many rivers will flow that will not nourish physical bodies as before, but will quench the thirst of souls. What is written, ‘you shall drink from the waters of the springs of the Saviour’ (Is. 12), will come to fruition. Then shall occur that which has never transpired; all beasts, dragons, and ostriches dwelling in the pagan wilderness, having once lived like beasts in their idolatrous ways and lack of refinement, shall glorify and exalt Me. Instead of dragons, which Theodotion uniquely referred to as thannim (or thennim), as noted in the Hebrew text, others translated as sirens—monstrous creatures whose enchanting yet deadly songs led them to be torn apart by the hounds of Scylla. This indicates that those who were once engrossed in pleasure and self-indulgence will shift their service to the Lord, though it may refer better to the dragons since the ostriches are also included, illustrating those creatures of the wilderness. Yet, the wild animals, dragons, and ostriches will praise and glorify Me, declares He, for I have provided water in the wilderness of the Gentiles and rivers in the parched land of the nations so that My people, whom I have chosen for Myself, or My redeemed ones, who have been purchased with My blood, may drink and proclaim My praise and My magnificence.

Through this faith, He unveiled the path of righteousness in the wilderness, sending forth the streams of the Holy Spirit into the parched lands for the sustenance of God’s chosen, with the purpose of revealing His power and avoiding any blasphemy against the Creator.

Additionally, it is foretold that if the Israelites seek and thirst for Christ, they will find satisfaction in the grace of baptism that we can offer them. 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 comes to fruition in the Gospel, where Christ, referred to as the Rock, is pierced by a spear during His Passion. He recalls the prophet’s words, proclaiming, "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's reference is not to literal drinking but to baptism, the Scripture elucidates: "He said these things concerning the Spirit, whom those who believe in Him have received" (Jn 7:39). The Holy Spirit is given through baptism, thus those who have been baptized and have received the Holy Spirit partake in the cup of life.