March 19, 2003
Reading: Isaiah 32:12-20

 

“And the wilderness becomes a fruitful field” (15)

 

The dream of every farmer and the result of his wise investment and hard labor – a fruitful field. If the land is left to itself it takes but a short time to become a wilderness overrun with weeds, thorns and thistles. If purchased in that condition a great deal of knowledge and work is required to transform it into crop producing land or a fruitful field. As typified by the Children of Israel, many of God’s people find themselves wandering around in the wilderness. The Israelites were delivered from the bondage of Egypt with the promise and hope of Canaan – a land flowing with “milk and honey.” The journey to Canaan, which should have taken but a few weeks, instead took forty years, and then only two of those who actually left Egypt entered the Promised Land. Why so long in the wilderness? - “Because they did not obey the voice of the LORD” Josh 5:6.

Much can be lost in this glorious passage of Scripture if we seek only to establish the physical fulfillment. There is an obvious fulfillment in the restoration of the people following the invasion of Sennacherib as well as the return from captivity in Babylon, but how much more the dealings of Christ with His people following His death and resurrection. We all received the Holy Spirit when we were saved, but what describes our spiritual condition best, wilderness or fruitful field? If, upon honest evaluation, we admit to the wilderness, then our scripture tells us how to change - “Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high” Isa 32:15. To receive the Holy Spirit is sufficient to save us and deliver us out of Egypt but, if we live in disobedience to the Lord, Canaan will always be on the other side of the river. When the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the Apostles (Acts 2:1-4) great changes occurred. In the life of Peter denial was changed to boldness and selfishness to love of others.

Let’s consider three changes the Holy Spirit brings when we yield to His control and, like an empty bowl, receive the pouring out of His love and influence:

1)     “The wilderness becomes a fruitful field” (Isa 32:15);

2)     “The fruitful field is counted as a forest” (32:15);

3)     “Righteousness (will) remain in the fruitful field (32:16).

Our life is a field – either overrun with thorns and thistles (wilderness) or

producing a crop that is pleasing to God (fruitful). The change from wilderness to fruitful field is only possible by the work of the Holy Spirit. He it is who causes the refreshing rains of God to fall on us and nurtures the tender shoot into a fruit-bearing tree. God sends His rain from heaven in response to the obedience of His people (Deut 11:13-14), but withholds it when He sees disobedience (Jer 3:3). The fruit God requires from His people is spoken of as the “fruit of the Spirit” (Gal 5:22-23) because it can only be produced by Him, and then only in those who live in obedience and yieldedness to Him.

“The fruitful field is counted as a forest” – the most valuable crop were the cedars of Lebanon – lumber imported by Solomon for the construction of His palace and Temple. Without the ministry of the Holy Spirit, our lives have little value to God – He makes all the difference between wood, hay, straw and gold, silver and precious stones (1 Cor 3:12).

“Righteousness will abide in the fruitful field” (Amplified Bible). The glorious “Abiding” chapter (John 15) begins with Jesus (the Vine) and closes with the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of Truth). Jesus said, “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). May we always be willing receptacles for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.