And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses.
Isaiah 44:4 stands in Isaiah 41-45, where God's purpose for His people is very fully revealed, and those chapters should be prayerfully studied. The verse promises that those who receive God's outpouring of water on the thirsty and of His Spirit and blessing on offspring will spring up with vigorous, well-watered and abundant growth and increase like grass and willows beside streams. Those who flourish are people from among the nations who hunger and thirst for righteousness, gathered and counted among God's people and Israel as the Spirit is poured out on all flesh. Those so gathered openly identify themselves as belonging to the Lord and to Israel, as shown in the next verse.
The verse is part of God's covenanted promises of blessing to His people concerning His work among them and His witness to the nations. These promises give encouragement by showing what He has covenanted to do and should be read for that purpose. The verse instructs God's people not to turn away from Him and look to finite man for wisdom.
The promise is especially fitting where many are destitute of knowledge of how to care for themselves and are thirsty to be refreshed and restored. It gives confidence to invest self and means in health and gospel work without disappointment. For parents who teach their children Christ's character and train them by the principles of God's Word, the promise means their children may grow in truth and righteousness and identify themselves as the Lord's people.
Isaiah 44:4 stands in Isaiah 41-45, where God's purpose for His people is very fully revealed, and those chapters should be prayerfully studied. The verse promises that those who receive God's outpouring of water on the thirsty and of His Spirit and blessing on offspring will spring up with vigorous, well-watered and abundant growth and increase like grass and willows beside streams. Those who flourish are people from among the nations who hunger and thirst for righteousness, gathered and counted among God's people and Israel as the Spirit is poured out on all flesh. Those so gathered openly identify themselves as belonging to the Lord and to Israel, as shown in the next verse.
The verse is part of God's covenanted promises of blessing to His people concerning His work among them and His witness to the nations. These promises give encouragement by showing what He has covenanted to do and should be read for that purpose. The verse instructs God's people not to turn away from Him and look to finite man for wisdom.
The promise is especially fitting where many are destitute of knowledge of how to care for themselves and are thirsty to be refreshed and restored. It gives confidence to invest self and means in health and gospel work without disappointment. For parents who teach their children Christ's character and train them by the principles of God's Word, the promise means their children may grow in truth and righteousness and identify themselves as the Lord's people.