In Isaiah, chapter forty-nine, verses eight through thirteen, “Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages. That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them. And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted. Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west;
These verses describe the joyful and blessed condition of those who find deliverance and salvation in Christ. God sent forth His Son to save them from what is to come according to His Word. To this, He submitted our salvation. He is a pledge for all the blessings of the covenant; in Him, God was reconciling the world to Himself. Pardoning mercy is a release from the curse of the law. Renewing grace is a release from the dominion of sin: both are from Christ.
He saith to those in darkness, show yourselves. Not only see, but be seen, to the glory of God, and your own comforts. Though these are difficulties in the way to heaven, yet the grace of God will carry us over them, and make even the mountains a way. This denotes the free invitation and the encouraging promises of the gospel, and the outpouring of the Spirit.