What is the meaning of Isaiah 42:11? Let the desert and its cities raise their voices “Let the desert and its cities raise their voices” (Isaiah 42:11a). • The “desert” (or wilderness) describes the barren stretches south and east of Judah—places considered lifeless. Yet God commands praise to erupt even there, showing that no place is beyond His redeeming reach (Isaiah 35:1–2; Psalm 65:12–13). • “Cities” in the wilderness likely point to small settlements of nomads and traders. The gospel will not be confined to Jerusalem; it will echo through waystations and caravan stops (Acts 8:26–39, the Ethiopian eunuch on a desert road). • The context of Isaiah 42 is the revelation of the Servant of the Lord (vv. 1–9). Once He appears, creation itself responds (Romans 8:19–21). Even dusty hamlets will “raise their voices,” fulfilling the call of Isaiah 42:10 to “Sing to the LORD a new song.” Let the villages of Kedar cry aloud “let the villages of Kedar cry aloud” (Isaiah 42:11b). • Kedar, descended from Ishmael (Genesis 25:13), occupied Arabia’s northern deserts. Their tents and flocks symbolized nomadic life (Song of Songs 1:5; Isaiah 60:7). By singling out Kedar, God affirms that the promised salvation extends to Gentile peoples who once stood outside Israel’s covenant (Ephesians 2:12–13). • “Cry aloud” indicates exuberant, public worship, not polite admiration. Prophecies later depict Arabian tribes bringing offerings to Zion (Isaiah 60:6–7), proving that the Servant’s light breaks ethnic barriers (Acts 13:47). • Psalm 87:4 places “Rahab and Babylon… Philistia… Tyre, and Cush” among those born in Zion. Isaiah 42:11 anticipates that same chorus by adding Kedar to the list of unlikely worshippers. Let the people of Sela sing for joy; let them cry out from the mountaintops “Let the people of Sela sing for joy; let them cry out from the mountaintops” (Isaiah 42:11c). • Sela (“rock”) was a fortress city in Edom, later known as Petra (2 Kings 14:7; Obadiah 1:3). Edom often opposed Israel, yet its inhabitants will “sing for joy,” illustrating grace toward former enemies (Isaiah 19:24–25). • “Mountaintops” convey two ideas: – Elevation amplifies the praise—nothing hides what God has done (Isaiah 52:7; Matthew 5:14). – Mountains symbolize stability; the joy is not fleeting but anchored like the rocky heights around Sela (Psalm 125:1–2). • The double verbs “sing” and “cry out” mirror the pattern of the verse: silence is broken, isolation shattered, and distant voices unite in one anthem (Revelation 7:9–10). summary Isaiah 42:11 paints a widening circle of praise: barren deserts, Arab encampments, and mountain strongholds all respond to the Servant’s arrival. The verse assures us that no geography, ethnicity, or past hostility can hinder the spread of His salvation. From wastelands to rocky citadels, the whole earth is invited to lift its voice, proving that the glory of the Lord will indeed fill every corner of creation. |
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