Isa 55:12-13 | KingComments | STEP | In the LORD graciously applies the principles related to His Word to the promise of the ineffable blessing for Israel in the coming day. He makes His Word true to a remnant according to His gracious choice that He will bring back to the land. This will take place when “the times of the Gentiles” ( ) are over. All activities of life will be carried out through this remnant in peace without fearful haste. They will never again have to make their way through hostile armies or flee from them. Not only mankind, but also nature will have been brought into harmony with God’s gracious purposes. There will be harmony between nature rejoicing ( ) and the hearts of God’s redeemed rejoicing ones. Instead of that jubilation, creation now sighs because of the curse that has come on it through sin ( ). What reminds us of sin, the “thorn bush” and the “nettle” resulting from the fall of man into sin ( ), will give way to the mighty, imperishable cypress and the humble, sweet-smelling, evergreen myrtle ( ). These trees will be a remembrance of all the goodness of the LORD. The whole of the realm of peace will be an everlasting remembrance of the LORD. His glory and His features and acts of grace and power constitute the blessing of the realm of peace.

‏ Isaiah 55:12-13

Joy, Peace and Prosperity

In Isa 55:12 the LORD graciously applies the principles related to His Word to the promise of the ineffable blessing for Israel in the coming day. He makes His Word true to a remnant according to His gracious choice that He will bring back to the land. This will take place when “the times of the Gentiles” (Lk 21:24) are over. All activities of life will be carried out through this remnant in peace without fearful haste. They will never again have to make their way through hostile armies or flee from them.

Not only mankind, but also nature will have been brought into harmony with God’s gracious purposes. There will be harmony between nature rejoicing (Psa 98:8) and the hearts of God’s redeemed rejoicing ones. Instead of that jubilation, creation now sighs because of the curse that has come on it through sin (Rom 8:22). What reminds us of sin, the “thorn bush” and the “nettle” resulting from the fall of man into sin (Gen 3:18), will give way to the mighty, imperishable cypress and the humble, sweet-smelling, evergreen myrtle (Isa 55:13). These trees will be a remembrance of all the goodness of the LORD. The whole of the realm of peace will be an everlasting remembrance of the LORD. His glory and His features and acts of grace and power constitute the blessing of the realm of peace.