Isaiah 43:18 - Do not dwell on the past

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

Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.

Do not call to mind the former things, Or ponder things of the past.

Isaiah 43:18

Commentary

The Lord commanded the people not to remember the past (46:9, 10). The kingdom of Israel inaugurated at the first Exodus and the conquest of the Promised Land would be insignificant compared to the new kingdom God would establish.

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Is 43:18). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

First Person Narrative

Isaiah, like the other major prophets, doesn't deliver God's messages in the third person, as a reporter would. Isaiah won't say, for example, "God is sick of your offerings." Instead, he speaks the very words of God: "I am sick of your offerings." Isaiah, however, will introduce most prophecies with the phrase, "The Lord has said." This alerts the people that the words they are about to hear come directly from God.

Miller, S. M., & Gross, P. (1998). How to get into the Bible. Includes index. (176). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

Proverbs 15:16-17 - Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil

16 Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil. 17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.

Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

Better is a little with the fear of the LORD Than great treasure and turmoil with it. Better is a dish of vegetables where love is Than a fattened ox served with hatred.

Proverbs 15:16-17

Commentary

A plate of vegetables in an atmosphere of love is better than a filet mignon roast where there is strife. Moffatt says, "Better is a dish of vegetables, than the best beef served with hatred." A Fatted calf is one that has been raised in a stall and given the best feed; its meat is tender and delicious.

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Pr 15:17). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Better than

A number of proverbs have this form of direct comparison using the "better than" formula. (See Proverbs 15:16, 17; 16:8, 19, 32; 17:1, 12; 19:1)

Whitlock, L. G., Sproul, R. C., Waltke, B. K., & Silva, M. (1995). Reformation study Bible, the : Bringing the light of the Reformation to Scripture : New King James Version. Includes index. (Pr 12:9). Nashville: T. Nelson.