Isaiah 32:20

Blessed [are] ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth [thither] the feet of the ox and the ass.

Blessed {H835} are ye that sow {H2232} beside all waters {H4325}, that send forth {H7971} thither the feet {H7272} of the ox {H7794} and the ass {H2543}.

Happy are you who sow by all streams, letting oxen and donkeys roam freely.

Blessed are those who sow beside abundant waters, who let the ox and donkey range freely.

Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth the feet of the ox and the ass.

Context of Isaiah 32:20

Isaiah 32 is a prophetic chapter that paints a vivid picture of a future era characterized by righteousness, peace, and spiritual renewal. It begins by describing the reign of a righteous king who will govern justly, providing shelter and refreshment to his people (Isaiah 32:1-2). This vision stands in stark contrast to the preceding chapters, which often detail judgment and spiritual blindness. Verse 20 specifically describes the abundant and peaceful conditions that will characterize this blessed time, where agricultural labor is fruitful and unrestrained, symbolizing a period of divine favor and security.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Blessing and Abundance: The verse speaks of a profound blessing ("Blessed are ye") that results in abundant provision. The phrase "sow beside all waters" vividly portrays fertile land, easily irrigated, ensuring bountiful harvests. This imagery represents a state of prosperity and ease under God's favor, where vital resources are readily available.
  • Ease and Freedom in Labor: The description "that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass" highlights unhindered, productive labor. In ancient agricultural societies, oxen and asses were crucial for plowing, treading grain, and transport. This suggests that the necessary tools and animals for work are readily available and can be deployed without fear of invasion, scarcity, or oppression, leading to flourishing endeavors and a secure livelihood.
  • Peace and Security: Underlying the agricultural prosperity is a fundamental sense of peace and security. Farmers are free to work their fields without threat, indicating a stable and just society, which aligns with the righteous reign described earlier in the chapter. This stands in stark contrast to periods of war or oppression where fields might lie fallow or be plundered.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "sow beside all waters" is highly evocative. It suggests not merely proximity to water sources but the ability to irrigate widely and easily, implying a significant departure from arid conditions or reliance solely on unpredictable rainfall. This points to a land made exceptionally fertile and productive. The mention of "ox and ass" together emphasizes comprehensive agricultural activity. The ox was primarily used for heavy plowing, while the ass was used for lighter work, transport, and treading out grain. Their free deployment signifies a fully functional, blessed, and prosperous agricultural system.

Related Scriptures

This verse beautifully echoes the theme of divine blessing and prosperity found elsewhere in Scripture. The idea of being "planted by streams of water" and yielding fruit in season is powerfully expressed in Psalm 1:3. Similarly, the concept of a future time of peace and abundance, where people will "sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree," is a recurring prophetic motif, seen in Micah 4:4, underscoring the security and fruitfulness promised to God's people under His righteous rule.

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 32:20 can be understood both literally in its original context and metaphorically. It speaks to the blessing that comes from diligent spiritual and practical labor when one is "sowing" in fertile ground provided by God's grace. It encourages us to be diligent in our callings and responsibilities, trusting that God will provide the necessary resources and create an environment of peace for our efforts to bear fruit. The verse reminds us that true blessing includes not just material abundance but also the freedom and security to enjoy the fruits of our labor. Ultimately, it points to the comprehensive peace and prosperity found under the sovereignty of a righteous King, Jesus Christ, inviting us to cultivate a life of faith and obedience, expecting God's provision and peace even in challenging times.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ecclesiastes 11:1

    ¶ Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.

  • Isaiah 30:23

    Then shall he give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures.

  • Isaiah 30:24

    The oxen likewise and the young asses that ear the ground shall eat clean provender, which hath been winnowed with the shovel and with the fan.

  • Isaiah 55:10

    For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

  • Isaiah 55:11

    So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:9

    For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

  • 1 Corinthians 9:11

    If we have sown unto you spiritual things, [is it] a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

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