What is the context?
The Lord names Himself as Israel’s Redeemer, Holy One, Creator and King, and announces action against Babylon for His people’s sake. Those who rejoiced in their ships will become fugitives.
He recalls making a path through the sea and bringing the chariots, horses and warriors to an end. That memory points back to the exodus, when the sea became both a path of rescue and the place of the pursuing army’s defeat.
The hearers are then told to look for a new thing rather than remain fixed on the former events. The same Lord will make a way in the wilderness and provide streams in the desert. Animals share in the water given for His chosen people.
The closing purpose is worship: the people He formed for Himself will declare His praise. The new rescue displays the same Lord’s faithfulness in circumstances different from the earlier exodus.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Wesley and the USCCB notes connect the sea and defeated chariots with Egypt and read the coming rescue as a new exodus from Babylon. The command about former things stresses the greatness of the new act, rather than forbidding grateful remembrance.
Henry sees the Babylonian deliverance opening onto greater redemption through Christ. Gill also reads the former rescue in comparison with the greater saving work of the Messiah.
These readings keep the historical return and the wider hope connected. The Lord who rescued before is not limited to repeating the same event in the same way.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
The purpose of forming a people to declare God’s praise has a close parallel in 1 Peter 2:9–12. Those who have received mercy are called His people and are to proclaim the virtues of the One who brought them from darkness into light.
Second Corinthians 5:17–21 develops the newness of God’s saving work through Christ: new creation belongs with reconciliation to God and a message entrusted to His people.
These are connections in the larger biblical story, rather than a claim that the wording of Isaiah directly describes every later circumstance. God’s rescue brings people into a renewed relationship with Him and a life that makes His goodness known.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.