World bears fruit

World, tebel , is used four times in Isaiah’s little apocalypse. The four uses tell the story of this section of the prophecy. In 24:4, the world is fading and languishes. Isaiah hopes that through the Lord’s judgment the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness (26:9), but at the end of chapter 28 the world is still writhing to give birth to its inhabitants, to the shades buried in the earth (26:18).

But Yahweh promises to make the barren world fruitful. He will make those who come to the land from Jacob take root, blossom, bud, and cover the face of the world with fruit (27:6). Lamentation is thus turned to joy. Withered vines now produce abundant wine.