““This is what the LORD says— he who This is what the LORD says— he who made a way through the sea, a path made a way through the sea, a path

through the mighty waters, who drew out through the mighty waters, who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay reinforcements together, and they lay

there, never to rise again, extinguished, there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: snuffed out like a wick:

‘‘Forget the former things; do not dwell Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and it? I am making a way in the desert and

streams in the wasteland.’ streams in the wasteland.’

‘‘The wild animals honor me, the jackals The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in and the owls, because I provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland, the desert and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they the people I formed for myself that they

may proclaim my praise.’” may proclaim my praise.’” (Isa. 43:16–21)(Isa. 43:16–21)

Historical BackgroundHistorical Background

“…I am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake,

and remembers your sins no more.” (Isaiah 43:25)

Lessons Fromthe Babylonian Exile:

1. God visits Judgment Upon Sin

“…I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the

children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of

those who hate me,” (Exodus 20:5)

Lessons Fromthe Babylonian Exile:

1. God visits Judgment Upon Sin

Important Truth:God will not allow disobedience to continue indefinitely.

Lessons Fromthe Babylonian Exile:

1. God visits Judgment Upon Sin

““Or do you show contempt for the riches Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?” (Romans 2:4)you toward repentance?” (Romans 2:4)

Lessons Fromthe Babylonian Exile:

1. God visits Judgment Upon Sin

““But because of your stubbornness and But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of up wrath against yourself for the day of

God’s wrath, when his righteous God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.” judgment will be revealed.”

(Romans 2:5) (Romans 2:5)

Lessons Fromthe Babylonian Exile:

2. God visits Blessing Upon the Repentant

“…The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,

and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

(Luke 24:46–47)

Lessons Fromthe Babylonian Exile:

2. God visits Blessing Upon the Repentant

““Repent, then, and turn to God, so Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from times of refreshing may come from

the Lord,” (Acts 3:19) the Lord,” (Acts 3:19)

Preparing for God’s Blessing:1. Repent2. Forget the Past

““Forget the former things;Forget the former things;do not dwell on the past.” do not dwell on the past.”

(Isaiah 43:18)(Isaiah 43:18)

Preparing for God’s Blessing:2 Aspects of Spiritual Amnesia -

1.1. Condemnation of a Painful PastCondemnation of a Painful Past2.2. Limitation of a Positive PastLimitation of a Positive Past

Preparing for God’s Blessing:1. Repent2. Forget the Past3. Live Expectantly

““See, I am doing a new thing! Now it See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and am making a way in the desert and

streams in the wasteland.” streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:19) (Isaiah 43:19)