“For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”
(Isaiah 55:12)
This beautiful promise in Isaiah was first given to the people of Judah in a time when judgment had been pronounced against them. Because of their sin, captivity was coming, and the house of David would fall into distress. Yet the Lord, who wounds, also heals. He who sends captivity also sends deliverance. The same God who foretold their fall also foretold their restoration. They would go out with weeping into captivity, but they would return with joy. They would be led away in chains, but they would return in peace.
Their deliverance from Babylon was a great act of God’s mercy and faithfulness. The Lord raised up Cyrus, broke down gates of brass, opened the way for His people, and brought them back to their land. It was a public, visible demonstration that God had not forgotten His covenant nor cast off His chosen. Mountains and hills breaking forth into singing and trees clapping their hands is a figurative way to describe the wonder of this deliverance. All creation is pictured as rejoicing because God has redeemed His people.[1]
But this prophecy extends beyond the return from Babylon. The prophets often spoke of near deliverances that pointed to greater ones. The return from captivity points to the greater deliverance accomplished by Christ. Sinners are in a worse captivity than Babylon, for they are in bondage to sin, death, and Satan. When Christ redeems a sinner, that sinner goes out with joy and is led forth with peace.
This promise also looks forward to the final deliverance of the church, when all the people of God will be brought into everlasting peace and joy. On that day all creation will rejoice because the curse will be removed and the kingdom of Christ will be fully established.
This passage gives great cause for thanksgiving. It shows that God keeps His promises, that judgment is not His final word to His people, that mercy triumphs, and that deliverance belongs to the Lord. It also teaches us that even when God’s people pass through dark times, He has already appointed their deliverance.
Contemplations:
- Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Sin. Lord, I am thankful that You deliver Your people from a greater bondage than Babylon, even from the bondage of sin and death. I was a prisoner to sin, unable to free myself, but You sent Christ to redeem me. Thank You for forgiveness, for peace with God, and for the hope of eternal life.
- Thanksgiving for God’s Faithfulness to His Promises. Father, thank You that Your promises never fail. You foretold the captivity of Judah, and it came to pass. You foretold their deliverance, and it came to pass. In the same way, every promise in Christ will come to pass. Even when circumstances seem dark, Your Word stands firm. I am grateful that I can trust Your promises more than I can trust what I see around me.
- Thanksgiving for Peace Given by God. Lord, this passage says that Your people are led forth with peace. Thank You for the peace that comes from being reconciled to You through Jesus Christ. The world cannot give this peace, and the world cannot take it away. Thank You for this gift of Your grace.
- Thanksgiving for Future Joy. Father, I give thanks that the Christian life ends in joy. Your people may pass through trials, sorrows, and hardships, but the end is joy and peace. One day all sorrow will end, and Your people will be brought into everlasting joy. Thank You that the future of Your people is not wrath, but joy; not destruction, but peace; not exile, but home.
Prayer (Thanksgiving)
Gracious Father, I give You thanks for the great deliverance You have provided through Jesus Christ. You did not leave sinners in their bondage but sent Your Son to redeem them. You brought Your people out of darkness into light, out of bondage into freedom, and out of guilt into peace with You. For this great salvation, I give You thanks.
Thank You that Your Word is true and that Your promises never fail. You fulfilled Your promise to bring Judah out of captivity, and You will fulfill every promise You have made in Christ. When my faith is weak and my heart is troubled, help me remember that Your Word is more certain than heaven and earth.
I thank You for the peace You give Your people. Not only do You deliver from danger, but You lead Your people forth with peace. You reconcile sinners to Yourself, quiet the conscience, and give hope of eternal life. This peace is ours by Your grace through Jesus Christ.
I am grateful that the end of Your people is joy. Though there are many troubles in this life, You will bring Your people out with joy at last. You will bring them into Your kingdom, where there is no sin, no sorrow, and no death. Thank You that the future of those who belong to Christ is peace and joy forever.
Let me live in thankfulness for these things. Let me remember Your deliverance, trust Your promises, rest in Your peace, and look forward to the joy that You have prepared for Your people.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Further Scripture References for Isa. 55:12:
Isa. 44:23; Isa. 35:2; Isa. 35:10; Isa. 49:13; Psalm 98:8.
[1] William Staughton, Missionary-Encouragement, Early American Imprints, 1639-1800; No. 34599 (Philadelphia: Stephen C. Ustick, 1798), 6-11.
