Charles Spurgeon Commentary Isaiah 55:13

"Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir-tree; and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle-tree: and it shall be to Jehovah for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off." — Isaiah 55:13 (ASV)

Shall come up the fir tree,

Where is the thorn then? I see it upon the bleeding brows of Christ; He has taken it away and worn it as a crown.

Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name,

Yes, it shall make God's name great when you are converted; for you will talk about what the Lord has done for your soul, and that will bring God fame: It shall be to the LORD for a name.

Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

Wherever God's Word is, there are transformations. Miracles, though we see them not in the natural world, are abundant in the spiritual realm. Conversion is the great standing proof of the presence of the Holy Ghost, and his abiding presence is the perpetual witness to the truth of the Gospel. Beyond all arguments from internal or external evidence, stands this one, the Word of God is effectual in the salvation of Sinners. Thorns are turned into fir trees, and briers into myrtles; and, so, God is glorified, and an everlasting sign is thus preserved among us, that shall not be cut off.

And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

It shall make people know what he is like, what gracious power he has, what goodness dwells in him: it shall be to Jehovah for a name, – An everlasting sign. That sign is exhibited today, in the eyes of people. An evil and adulterous generation called for a sign, and this is the sign that God has given, – his converting grace in his Church. Instead of miracles, we have the work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of sinners; and if any will not believe when this sign is sent to them, neither would they believe though one rose from the dead. It stands as an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

Wherever God's grace begins to work, it cuts up thorns and thistles, and plants in place of them fir trees and myrtle trees. Oh, that his grace might renew each one of us! And, then, when that blessed work has been done, may we never cease to glorify that dear name by whose power we have been changed!

For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

O you that thirst, O you hungry, O you unsatisfied, may the reading of this Word be blessed to you tonight! Amen.

Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

We read, in Isaiah 55:3, about the sure mercies of David.

To explain that phrase, let us read a few verses from 2 Samuel 23. I might have selected another passage, but these being David's dying words will be the more striking.

And instead of the brier will come up the myrtle tree: and it will be to the Lord for a name,

It will make people know what he is like, what gracious power he has, what goodness dwells in him: it will be to Jehovah, for a name.

Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree,

The thorn is everywhere today, pricking our feet and maiming our hands: but instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree.

Where is the thorn then? I see it upon the bleeding brows of Christ; he has taken it away, and worn it as a crown.

Instead of the thorn—

Which is everywhere today, pricking our feet and maiming our hands: Instead of the thorn—

For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

That sign is exhibited, today, in the eyes of men. An evil and adulterous generation called for a sign, and this is the sign that God has given, – His converting grace in His Church. Instead of miracles, we have the work of the Holy Ghost in the hearts of sinners; and if any will not believe when this sign is sent to them, neither would they believe though one rose from the dead. It stands as an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.