"For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: And they shall spring up among the grass, as willows by the water courses."
Isaiah 44:3-4
Part 1
Isaiah 44 must be understood together with Isaiah 43. God’s people had sinned, and “yet” (44:1), God still claimed them as His own. Our verses are not speaking to lost souls today, but primarily to God’s own people, Israel. In this passage, God is speaking of His Holy Spirit coming to His people, in the future. Remember, in Old Testament times, the Holy Spirit was given to specific people for specific tasks. He did not always stay with the person to whom He was given, King Saul, and Samson were good examples of that.
“For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty,”
To those of Israel who were thirsting for God and His spiritual blessings, He made this promise. “I will pour water,” on those who are longing for God. In the future, Israel will be restored to Her God.
“Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert,” (Isaiah 35:5-6).
The only thing that separated Israel from her God was her sin. But God is forgiving!
“I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins,” (Isaiah 43:25).
“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more,” (Hebrews 8:12).
God’s forgiveness of sin is where His blessings begin. This is what closes the distance between God and His people, this seals the breach in the relationship. God remembers His people.1
Israel is His chosen people, (44:1, 2).
Israel is His servant, (44:2)
Israel is His creation, (44:2).
God promises that He will meet the spiritual needs of His creatures, vv. 3-4.
“And floods upon the dry ground:”
The LORD’s blessings will flow like rivers of fresh water on His people, Israel.
“When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them,” (Isaiah 41:17).
Even God’s child runs into dry spells in his Christian life. What can he do about it? When we are there, how should we respond to the LORD? Come back tomorrow and let’s talk more.
1. See Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, the electronic version in eSword.