What are the "former things" and "new things" mentioned in Isaiah 42:9? Isaiah 42:9 “Behold, the former things have come to pass, and now I declare new things; before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.” Literary Context in Isaiah 40–55 Chapters 40–55 form a cohesive unit announcing comfort after judgment. Repeatedly, Yahweh challenges idols to produce “former things” or “things to come” (41:22; 43:9; 48:3). Isaiah 42:9 stands at the center of that contest. Yahweh alone can (1) recount fulfilled prophecies—“former things”—and (2) unveil “new things” that will soon be verified in history. The “Former Things” (Hebrew rishonot) 1. Completed Prophecies inside Isaiah: the downfall of Assyria (10:5–19; fulfilled 701 BC), the desolation of Babylon (13:17–22; fulfilled 539 BC), and specific oracles against nations (chs. 13–23). 2. Historic Acts of Redemption: the Exodus (43:16–17), conquest under Joshua (51:9–10), and covenant at Sinai—events Israel could verify from its collective memory. 3. Moral Indictments Already Executed: the exile of the northern kingdom in 722 BC and the approaching Babylonian captivity, foretold long before it unfolded (39:5–7). The “New Things” (Hebrew chadashot) 1. Immediate Horizon: the unexpected rise of Cyrus, named 150 years in advance (44:28 – 45:1), who would decree Israel’s return. 2. The Servant’s Mission: Isaiah 42:1–7 introduces the Servant who brings justice to the nations and opens blind eyes—fulfilled ultimately in Jesus of Nazareth (cf. Matthew 12:17–21). 3. The New Covenant: “I will give you as a covenant for the people” (42:6); the language anticipates Jeremiah 31:31–34 and is sealed by Christ’s blood (Luke 22:20). 4. Global Worship: Gentiles place their hope in Yahweh’s law (Isaiah 42:4; Acts 13:47). 5. Eschatological Renewal: later chapters expand the promise to a new heavens and new earth (65:17; 66:22), echoed in Revelation 21:1. Prophetic Verification as Apologetic Proof Yahweh’s ability to predict Cyrus by name, centuries before the Medo-Persian ascendancy, is unparalleled in ancient literature. Secular historians Herodotus and Xenophon confirm Cyrus’s career, while the engraved decree on the Cyrus Cylinder mirrors Isaiah’s language of restoring exiles. Fulfilled prediction validates divine authorship and exposes idolatry as futile (41:29). Near-Term Fulfillment: Return from Babylon (538 BC) Within one generation of Isaiah’s readership, Persia conquered Babylon. The edict of Cyrus (Ezra 1:1–4) matched Isaiah’s promise of release. Temple vessels cataloged in Babylon were returned intact (Ezra 5:14–15), illustrating that God’s “new thing” encompassed both political liberation and covenant restoration. Ultimate Fulfillment: Jesus the Messiah New Testament writers explicitly tie Isaiah 42 to Jesus. Matthew cites 42:1–4 to interpret Christ’s gentle miracles (Matthew 12:17–21). Luke links 42:7 to Jesus’ Nazareth manifesto (Luke 4:18–19). Acts 13:47 quotes 42:6 to justify Gentile evangelism. The resurrection—attested by early creed in 1 Corinthians 15:3–7 within five years of the cross—confirms the Servant’s victory and inaugurates the prophesied “light to the nations.” Eschatological Consummation Paul projects Isaiah’s “new things” forward to the final renewal of creation (Romans 8:19–23). Peter merges Isaiah 65:17 with his forecast of a purified cosmos (2 Peter 3:13). John’s Revelation closes the canon with “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5), directly echoing Isaiah’s lexicon. Practical Implications Because the “former things” have already occurred exactly as foretold, the believer possesses rational grounds for trusting the “new things” still pending. Conversely, the skeptic must account for the predictive precision embedded in a demonstrably ancient text. The resurrection guarantees that every promise in Isaiah 42:9 will reach its consummation, inviting all people to repent, believe, and join the global chorus that “gives glory to the LORD and declares His praise in the islands” (Isaiah 42:12). |
    |