Apophasis is mentioning something by saying it will not be mentioned. Once the subject is mentioned, it becomes all you can think about, and that is the point. For example, a football coach says, we don't make excuses, but three of our four starting defensive linemen were watching the game today. In effect, saying, I don't make excuses, but here is one anyway. Another example is, "I will not bring up my opponent's questionable financial dealings.” Now, he doesn't need to; it is all everyone thinks about from that point on.

God uses a similar technique as we read our passage from Isaiah. “Remember not the former things…” As soon as He states this, Israel cannot help but remember those former things, especially since He has just listed several of them in the preceding verses: Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise. Recalling His deliverance of Israel from the grasp of Egypt and the drowning of Pharoah's army in the Red Sea. The Israelites need to remember their history with God to fully appreciate what He is about to do:

I will make a way in the wilderness

    and rivers in the desert.

20 The wild beasts will honor me,

    the jackals and the ostriches,

for I give water in the wilderness,

    rivers in the desert,

to give drink to my chosen people,

21     the people whom I formed for myself

that they might declare my praise.

God understands us and skillfully uses language to make His point clear. Jesus was a master teacher who taught in ways that His audience clearly understood and who regularly outmaneuvered the Pharisees in arguments. God uses Apophasis because he wants us to remember the old things He has done and look forward with joyful expectation for what He plans to do next. The same God who once raised up a mighty people and did awesome things as He led them to the Promised Land is still at work in your life. He may be planning something very different. There may not be a Red Sea that needs crossing or an earthshaking army nipping at your heels, but He cares for you. So, declare His praise. PW