God’s reliability in former things points us to trust Him for all the new things He has promised.
“Behold, the former things have come to pass, Now I declare new things; Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.” (v.9) In this verse, Isaiah emphasizes the LORD’s impeccable record of accomplishing what He declared in the past, and now announces His intention to do new deeds in the future. These “former things” have been fulfilled, serving as proof that His words are certain and powerful. The prophet Isaiah ministered in the southern kingdom of Judah around 740-681 B.C. and consistently stressed God’s sovereign ability to shape history according to His promise. This verse thus reveals God as both the ultimate orchestrator of past events and the initiator of fresh works of redemption.
Isaiah’s reminder that the former things have already come to pass highlights God’s faithfulness and sovereignty. It not only demonstrates that He brought about every event He previously declared, but also sets the stage for the unfolding of “new things” yet to come. Scripture elsewhere shows that God’s Word is never idle—it accomplishes His intentions and points toward a redemptive plan culminating in the Messiah John 1:1-18). Indeed, one commentary notes that the broader context of John’s prologue alludes to Isaiah 42:9, bridging “the former things” of creation with the “new things” the LORD declares through the incarnate Word, Jesus Christ.
For believers, Isaiah 42:9 offers assurance that just as the LORD made good on His former promises, so will He bring about every promised future work. Ultimately, the greatest “new thing” was the coming of Jesus, fulfilling promises hidden within the Old Testament and inaugurating a new covenant (Luke 22:20). This passage stands as a testament to God’s unwavering power: He announces future events and triumphantly brings them to pass in His perfect timing.
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Isaiah 42:9 meaning
“Behold, the former things have come to pass, Now I declare new things; Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.” (v.9) In this verse, Isaiah emphasizes the LORD’s impeccable record of accomplishing what He declared in the past, and now announces His intention to do new deeds in the future. These “former things” have been fulfilled, serving as proof that His words are certain and powerful. The prophet Isaiah ministered in the southern kingdom of Judah around 740-681 B.C. and consistently stressed God’s sovereign ability to shape history according to His promise. This verse thus reveals God as both the ultimate orchestrator of past events and the initiator of fresh works of redemption.
Isaiah’s reminder that the former things have already come to pass highlights God’s faithfulness and sovereignty. It not only demonstrates that He brought about every event He previously declared, but also sets the stage for the unfolding of “new things” yet to come. Scripture elsewhere shows that God’s Word is never idle—it accomplishes His intentions and points toward a redemptive plan culminating in the Messiah John 1:1-18). Indeed, one commentary notes that the broader context of John’s prologue alludes to Isaiah 42:9, bridging “the former things” of creation with the “new things” the LORD declares through the incarnate Word, Jesus Christ.
For believers, Isaiah 42:9 offers assurance that just as the LORD made good on His former promises, so will He bring about every promised future work. Ultimately, the greatest “new thing” was the coming of Jesus, fulfilling promises hidden within the Old Testament and inaugurating a new covenant (Luke 22:20). This passage stands as a testament to God’s unwavering power: He announces future events and triumphantly brings them to pass in His perfect timing.