Isaiah 42:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.

NIV: I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.

NASB: I will lead those who are blind by a way they have not known, In paths they have not known I will guide them. I will turn darkness into light before them And uneven land into plains. These are the things I will do, And I will not leave them undone.'

CSB: I will lead the blind by a way they did not know; I will guide them on paths they have not known. I will turn darkness to light in front of them and rough places into level ground. This is what I will do for them, and I will not abandon them.

NLT: I will lead blind Israel down a new path, guiding them along an unfamiliar way. I will brighten the darkness before them and smooth out the road ahead of them. Yes, I will indeed do these things; I will not forsake them.

KJV: And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

NKJV: I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, And crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, And not forsake them.

Isaiah is describing a pivotal moment in Israel's history, a moment in his own future. He relays the Lord's words, declaring that nothing will stop God from rescuing His people. When the appointed time comes, He will free Israel from their captivity and exile in Babylon. The Lord has already been described as a fierce warrior (Isaiah 42:13). No obstacle will stop Him. Israel's enemies are helpless against the Lord when He decides to act.

Now Isaiah describes another aspect of this coming rescue. Israel's enemies will not be their only problem. He depicts Israel as a blind person, helplessly trying to cross over unfamiliar territory alone. When He comes, the Lord will use His power not merely to destroy enemies but also to provide leadership and help for the helpless.

Instead of leaving them lost in their blindness, God will guide His people. He will direct them safely through places they have never been. He will make light where they have known only darkness. He will flatten out the rough ground to make the path accessible. All of these are symbols representing the Lord bringing truth, goodness, and knowledge to His chosen people.

It is in God's nature to help His helpless people. He does not turn His back on them, though they have forsaken Him in the past. The Lord keeps His promises.

Isaiah 42:10–17 invites all people of earth to praise the Lord God of Israel. God has so far restrained His hand against His enemies but will not turn His back on Israel. As a mighty warrior, the Lord will flatten every obstacle to lead His spiritually blind people back home. Those who trust idols and false deities, rather than the Lord God, will suffer defeat and shame.

The Lord calls everyone to see the Servant He delights in. This figure will bring His Spirit and deliver justice to the nations. The Lord will give the Servant as a covenant for the people. All of mankind is invited to praise God for what He has done. He will use His power to save His people, though it will be some time before He does so. Israel, the other "servant," mentioned here, has lived in voluntary blindness. They refuse to acknowledge what they see from the Lord. He has poured out anger on them for their sin, but they won't see it.

Isaiah 42 follows God's verdict that the idols of the nations are less than nothing (Isaiah 41). God's ultimate plan to bring justice to the world is described here. He will send His Servant, the delight of His soul, as a covenant for the people and a light for the nations. The Lord will use His power to save His people, but He wants Israel to see that their sin has brought about their suffering. Next, God will emphasize that He and He alone is the Savior of Israel (Isaiah 43).

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).