Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse the army and the power; they shall lie down together they shall not rise: they are extinct they are quenched as tow.Isaiah 43:17 Explainer ## Introduction - In Plain Language: God reminds Israel how He destroyed the mighty Egyptian army — chariots and horses — making them lie down and never rise again, snuffed out like flammable flax. - Big idea: God is the powerful Redeemer who defeats seemingly invincible enemies — past and present — to save His people. - Key points: - The verse recalls the destruction of Egypt’s military at the Red Sea as proof of God’s saving power. - The image of being “quenched as tow” shows how suddenly and completely God can undo human strength. - This memory of deliverance supports God’s promise to do a new thing for Israel (Isaiah 43:18–19). ## Context - Where this verse fits in: Isaiah 43 is part of a section (chs. 40–55) often called Second Isaiah—comfort and promise to Israel in exile. Verses 16–21 recount God’s past rescue (the Exodus/Red Sea) and use it to encourage Israel about future deliverance. - Story timeline: The original audience were Israelites living under threat or in exile (6th century BC contextually). The speaker is God (through the prophet Isaiah), calling to mind Israel’s history—especially the Exodus—to reassure them God still acts. - Surrounding passage: - Verse 16: God declares He made a way through the sea and brought chariots and horsemen into the sea. - Verse 17 (this verse): Says those chariots, horses, and their power “lie down together” and will not rise; they are extinguished like tow (flax). - Verses 18–19: God tells Israel not to remember the “former things” only — He will do a new thing, making a way in the wilderness and providing water in dry places. ## Explanation - Quick take: Isaiah 43:17 reminds Israel of the dramatic defeat of Egyptian forces at the Red Sea, showing that God can destroy great military power in an instant — a memory meant to encourage hope for present and future rescue. - In Depth: - Historical recall: The verse alludes to Exodus imagery — God’s intervention at the sea where Pharaoh’s chariots sank. That event is a foundational proof in Israel’s memory that God can overcome human arms. - Literary function: Isaiah uses vivid, compact language: “chariot and horse, the army and the power” piles up military terms to stress totality; “they shall lie down together” pictures the defeated forces grouped and immobilized; “quenched as tow” compares them to easily burned flax — once set afire, it goes out quickly and completely. - Theological move: By reminding Israel that God has undone powerful enemies before, the prophet prepares them to believe God can act again (see v. 19’s “I will do a new thing”). The emphasis is not on military tactics but on divine sovereignty over history. - Past and present application: For exiles fearing nations or for any community afraid of overwhelming opposition, the memory of God’s decisive past acts becomes the basis for trust in God’s present intervention. ## Key Words - rĕḵeb (רֶכֶב) — “chariot,” a symbol of ancient military power and technology. - sūs (סוּס) — “horse,” often paired with chariots as the elite force of armies. - ḥēyil (חֵיל) — “army” or “force,” emphasizing manpower and organized strength. - ḡĕbûrâ (גְּבוּרָה) — “power” or “might,” the valor and strength of fighting men; “tow” (English) — flax fibers that burn quickly, an image for something easily and utterly extinguished. ## Background - Ancient military image: In the ancient Near East chariots and horses represented the peak of military might. To defeat them was to show absolute superiority. - Exodus memory: Israel’s identity was shaped by the Exodus and Red Sea story. Prophets often invoked that event as both proof and pattern: if God could defeat Egypt, He can act again for His people. - Literary technique: Isaiah moves from past action to future promise. Recalling a well-known rescue anchors hope — this is typical prophetic rhetoric aimed at encouraging trust over fear. ## Theology - Theological insights in plain language: - God is sovereign over human power: even the most advanced weapons are powerless against God’s will. - Memory matters: Remembering God’s past acts strengthens faith for future challenges. - God’s deliverance is decisive and total: rescue is not partial hesitation but often complete overturning of threat. ## Application To Your Life - For workers: When your “opponent” seems unbeatable (a difficult project, an unjust system), remember God’s past faithfulness and look for ways He might act beyond human solutions. - For parents: Teach children that trust in God comes from remembering how God has helped before; model telling family stories of God’s care. - For leaders: Be humbled: real security is not in military or organizational power but in faithful dependence on God. - For seekers/anxious people: This verse invites you to imagine hope beyond present crises — God can turn what looks hopeless into salvation. - Reflection questions: - What “mighty enemies” in my life feel insurmountable today? - What memories of God’s help can I revisit to strengthen my trust? - How does remembering God’s past acts change the way I face present fears? - Short prayer: Lord, remind me of the times You have rescued and give me courage to trust You now; help me see your power at work in the impossible. ## Translation Comparison - King James Version (KJV): "Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow." - New International Version (NIV): "who brings out the chariot and horse, the army and the warrior— they lie down together and then cannot rise; they are extinguished, quenched like a wick." - English Standard Version (ESV): "who brings out the chariot and horse, the army and the warrior, they lie down, they cannot rise; they are extinguished, quenched like a wick." - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV): "who brings out the chariot and horse, the army and the warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise; they are extinguished, quenched like a wick." - Note on differences: Variations are small and mostly about phrasing (“warrior” vs. “power/warrior”) and the image used for being extinguished (“tow” in KJV vs. “wick” in modern translations). Translators aim to render the Hebrew metaphor (something flammable that is quickly put out) into terms contemporary readers will understand; “wick” or “tow” both point to the same idea of something that goes out quickly when quenched. ## FAQs - Q: Who are the “chariot and horse” referring to — is this literally Egypt’s army at the Red Sea? - Short answer: Yes, the imagery points back to the Exodus tradition where Pharaoh’s chariots and horsemen pursued Israel and were overwhelmed at the Red Sea (see Exodus 14). Isaiah invokes that historic memory to show God’s power over great armies. The verse is not giving a new historical report but recalling a well-known previous act of salvation to encourage faith in God’s future actions. - Q: What does “quenched as tow” mean and why use that image? - Short answer: “Tow” (or “wick/flax”) refers to coarse plant fibers used in ancient ropes or wicks that are highly flammable and burn away quickly. Saying the enemy is “quenched as tow” pictures total and sudden destruction — like a flame put out that leaves nothing. The metaphor stresses how completely God can snuff out human strength. ## Cross References - Exodus 14:26–31 — The drowning of Pharaoh’s army at the Red Sea (primary background). - Psalm 106:9–12 — A liturgical retelling of the Red Sea deliverance. - Isaiah 43:16 — Immediately introduces the Red Sea motif: God makes a way through the sea. - Isaiah 43:18–19 — Moves from recalling past deliverance to promising a new act of salvation. - Isaiah 51:9–11 — Another poetic recall of God’s past victory over chaotic forces and deliverance of His people. ## Deeper Study - Commentary synthesis (high-level): Most scholars see Isaiah 43:16–21 as a compact unit that summons the Exodus/Red Sea memory to encourage exiled Israelites: God has acted decisively in the past and will again. The strong military imagery underscores the contrast between human might and divine power. The move from remembering to promising (“Do not remember the former things… I will do a new thing”) is a key rhetorical strategy in Deutero-Isaian prophecy: past acts are proof and pattern for future deliverance. - Group study bullets: - Read Exodus 14 and Isaiah 43 together; list the shared images and discuss why Isaiah would recall that event to an exilic audience. - Share personal “deliverance memories” — times when God seemed to remove a big obstacle — and consider how those stories reshape present fears. - Discuss modern “chariots and horses” (systems or powers) that feel overwhelming; pray about how God might act. - Reflect on the “new thing” language in v. 19 — how does God’s past activity shape hope for innovation or change now? ## Related verses (to compare and contrast) - Exodus 14:28 — “The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen…” Why: The direct narrative parallel; it’s the historical event Isaiah recalls. - Psalm 106:12 — “Then they believed his words; they sang his praise.” Why: Shows the worship response that follows remembering God’s saving acts. - Isaiah 51:9 — “Awake, awake, put on strength… rid yourself of the chains of your neck…” Why: Another Isaiah passage that uses ancient victory language to call the people to hope and action. ## Talk to the Bible Try using the ‘Talk To The Bible’ feature to explore this verse further. Here are suggested prompts: - “Show me how Isaiah 43:16–21 connects to the Exodus story in Exodus 14 — list parallel phrases and themes.” - “Explain how the image ‘quenched as tow’ appears elsewhere in Scripture or ancient literature and what it would have meant to the original audience.” - “Help me write a short prayer and personal testimony inspired by Isaiah 43:16–19 to share at a small group meeting.”
