And the fertile field is considered as a forest
Isaiah 32:15 God promises even more, to turn that field into a thriving forest — a Church of believers who stand unshaken in an uncertain world.
“Until the Spirit is poured out upon us from on high, And the wilderness becomes a fertile field, And the fertile field is considered as a forest.”
Isaiah 32:15 NASB1995
Today’s verse comes from the prophet Isaiah, who I personally find to be one of the more fascinating Old Testament prophets. Chapter 32, from which this verse is taken, is titled “The Glorious Future” or “Blessings from the Coming King” in various Bible translations. It’s a chapter in which the reign of King Hezekiah is foretold by the prophet; a kind of “proto-Jesus” who reigned in righteousness.
In this verse, God (speaking through Isaiah) is using the invasion of Assyria into Judah, the eventual downfall of Jerusalem, and the humble lamentation of the people to prepare them for a future outpouring of His Spirit. Using the word “until” to start the verse is telling the people that difficult times would be upon them until such time as the Spirit was poured out — at Pentecost, the fiftieth day after the Resurrection of Christ.
God wasn’t going to just trickle out His mercy upon the people. He says that it will be “poured upon us from on high”. The Holy Spirit comes from heaven (on high), not from anything done by man. It’s as if a drenching downpour of God’s mercy is being promised!
What will that flood of the Holy Spirit produce? Everything that is barren and empty (the wilderness (מִדְבָּר - miḏbār); an uninhabited land or desert) is filled with fruitfulness, and lands that were fertile miraculously become forests.
This is all spoken in allegorical language, of course. Deserts would probably remain dry and desolate, and trees wouldn’t spring up where crops were grown. 17th Century Bible commentator Matthew Poole said:
The meaning may be this; God’s people, who were desolate and destroyed, shall be revived and flourish, and their flourishing enemies shall be brought to desolation and destruction. It may also signify the conversion of the barren and despised Gentiles, and the rejection of the Jews, in the time of the Messiah.
There are some lessons for us today from this short verse. First, Christians should seek the Holy Spirit constantly in both the church community and in our daily lives. When the Holy Spirit is present, He brings power, joy, peace, comfort and healing. We cannot expect the Spirit to be “poured out upon us from on night” unless we seek Him!
Next, the indwelling Spirit can turn a spiritual wilderness into a fertile field — transform a church that has lost its way into a growing, vibrant community of harvesters (seeking lost souls) and planters (planting new churches). For an individual, that means going from a life of indifference to Christ to a new life in Christ, reaping the benefits of His love, healing, provision, and protection.
And God promises even more, to turn that field into a thriving forest — a Church of believers who stand unshaken in an uncertain world.
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Heavenly Father, in the wilderness of our lives, we seek Your Spirit from on high. Pour out Your grace upon us, that our barren hearts may thrive. Transform our desolate places into fields of Your abundance, and let our souls, once parched, become forests of Your love. In the promise of Isaiah, we find hope for renewal, a future where Your presence turns all things beautiful. AMEN.