Spring is blossoming into action! I have grown to appreciate this time of year; the cold monotony of winter is fading, and life is reawakening. Witnessing this dramatic transformation is truly a wonder. The cycle of seasons reflects wisdom revealed and showcases God’s timing and patience throughout our lives.
For most ancient calendars, this marked the beginning of the year. It wasn’t until the Romans added January and February at the start of the calendar that this changed. The Jewish tradition recognized Abib or Nisan (post-exile) as the first month. This month was significant for Passover and Unleavened Bread, as mentioned in
Exodus 12:2-3: “This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for a household.”
This first month and the Passover Feast reflect God’s provision. After a long, cold winter, life will emerge, reminding us to wait on God, trust His timing, and rely on His ability.
Consider the Israelites in Egypt, who endured 400 years of slavery and witnessed destruction from plagues and death. After such hardship, life can and does come forth. We, too, should see this season as an opportunity to reflect on growth. It is a time for new life and new beginnings—fresh starts that emerge after the cold of winter. This symbolism is echoed throughout the writings of the prophets. Isaiah, in particular, offers insight into restoring God’s people to a place of rejuvenation, often using spring metaphors.
In Isaiah 34, there is a harsh rebuke and judgment on all nations, but things change in Isaiah 35. Here, Isaiah highlights wildflowers as symbols of life bursting forth after a dreary winter.
Isaiah 35:1-6 states: “Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days. The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses. Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon. There the LORD will display his glory, the splendor of our God. With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands and encourage those who have weak knees. Say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.’ When He comes, He will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf. The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy! Springs will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams will water the wasteland.”
The imagery is profound; this is no ordinary spring. Even the typically lifeless deserts begin to bloom and blossom. Water flows from winter runoff in the mountains, and new deer leap in the meadows. It is a time of life and rejoicing. This scripture also points to the One who fully restores, the Messiah who heals the blind and deaf of their infirmities.
We live in the brightness of the Son. Days grow longer, and light permeates the hills and valleys of our lives, bringing strength to those who have grown feeble and weak. As we read this passage, we acknowledge that we benefit from the cycle of new life; more importantly, we gain an appreciation of the goodness of God’s plan. The climax is captured in these words:
“The LORD will display His glory, the splendor of our God—He is coming to save you” (Isaiah 35:2,4).
Spring is a time for us to reflect on how God brings life. Like the Israelites, we have been rescued from the kingdom of darkness (Colossians 1:13). The Son demonstrates the essence of life, and we can marvel at the design of God’s creation, knowing that He is bringing an abundance of flowers.