Isaiah 55:10–13
As I was reading the Scriptures this morning, I came across Isaiah 55:10–13. The editor of this Bible translation titles the passage, “God’s Word Goes Forth.”
That phrase creates an image in my mind of an army going forth to war or someone setting out on a mission.
In this case, it is the word from the heart and mouth of God that goes forth.
But the imagery Isaiah gives us is not primarily military. It is agricultural:
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there until they have watered the earth…”
God’s word goes forth like rain and snow.
Someone might say, “I have looked at pictures of Israel. I don’t see much snow.”
Then perhaps you have not seen Mount Hermon or considered the sources of the Jordan. Snow comes. During the rainy season, rain can also fall quickly and profoundly upon the earth.
The rain and snow have a purpose. They water the ground. They cause it to bring forth and sprout. They give seed to the sower and bread to the eater.
Isaiah takes us through an entire progression:
Rain to ground.
Ground to seed.
Seed to sprout.
Sprout to farmer.
Farmer to bread.
Bread to the mouth of the eater.
Then God says:
“So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty…”
The word is on a mission.
God Is Aiming for Success
God sends the word to feed us and to accomplish in us spiritually what food accomplishes in us physically.
God declares that the word will accomplish the divine purpose and succeed in the mission for which it was sent.
God is aiming for success.
That does not mean the word will always accomplish what we want it to accomplish. It means that it will accomplish what God intends.
We may not immediately see what is happening beneath the surface, but the rain is falling, the soil is being watered, and something is beginning to sprout.
God’s word gives us seed for tomorrow and bread for today.
Some of what God speaks sustains us now. Some of it is planted within us for a future season. Some of it will grow through us and eventually feed others.
Going Out in Joy
What does the life of a person who has been well-fed by the word of God begin to look like?
“For you shall go out in joy and be led back in peace…”
There is joy in the going out and peace in the coming home.
The mountains and hills burst into song. The trees of the field clap their hands. All creation joins in the worship, joy, and peace of God.
No wonder these words have been set to music so many times. Many of us begin hearing a song in our minds as soon as we read them.
This is what God’s word is and does.
It feeds.
It sends.
It leads.
It restores.
It creates joy.
It establishes peace.
Instead of the Thorn
Then comes the promise of transformation:
“Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle…”
God’s word does not merely comfort us within the landscape as it is. God’s word changes the landscape.
Thorns give way to cypress trees. Briers give way to myrtles. What once wounded becomes a place of beauty. What once hindered growth becomes a memorial to the faithfulness of God.
Isaiah does not hold back words of prophetic judgment. The book confronts sin, injustice, rebellion, and their consequences.
But even more emphatically, Isaiah does not hold back hope.
God’s word goes forth to water dry ground, awaken dormant seed, feed hungry people, produce joy, lead us in peace, and transform thorns into trees of beauty.
The prophetic word is food for the soul.
And it is always a reason for hope.
Beyond the Paywall
Continue with me as we explore the five movements within Isaiah’s imagery, the unity of Isaiah’s prophetic message, and what it means to receive both bread for today and seed for tomorrow.
Paid subscribers will also find a personal spiritual exercise, discussion questions, a group-study process, and a closing prayer.
