When the Spirit is Poured Out
15 until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is deemed a forest. 16 Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness abide in the fruitful field. 17 And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. 18 My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. Isaiah 32:15-18 (English Standard Version, ESV)
In these verses, God is promising what will happen for us, the benefits if you will, when He pours out His Spirit. We must note that God initially poured out His Spirit in Acts 2, yet we see through the Book of Acts, throughout church history, and even now, that God continues to pour out the Holy Spirit. He pours it out upon people who are thirsty, those seeking the Lord. As a result of the Spirit’s outpouring, remarkable things happen as mentioned by Isaiah. This is particularly exciting for us as we enter the greatest ourpouring of God’s Spirit in human history
Verse 15
The wilderness that previously produced nothing becomes a fruitful field. And that fruitfulness increases to the point where the field is so fruitful that it is called a forest. This speaks of more and more increase, with God supplying every need.
Verse 16
There is a divine reversal from injustice in the land to righteousness and justice. Righteous people produce righteous results. People will return to the Lord, and they will be right with God, so things will go right.
Verse 17
Righteousness will produce peace. Peace in the Hebrew refers to wholeness, wellness, safety, health, and prosperity. Whatever was missing before will be missing no more. From times of sadness, we move to happiness, quietness, and trust forever. Rest will prevail, with no place for fear.
Verse 18
We’ll live in peaceful habitations. Peace is restored to the land. Our dwelling places will be secure and quiet, restful abodes. Our neighborhoods will be good, with righteous neighbors around us.
These verses all point to restoration of the good things that were lost. When the Spirit of God is poured out, all is restored, and people enjoy the blessings of righteous living.
