ישעיהו, פרק כ״ד, פסוק ט״ו

Following the sudden collapse of mighty empires like Babylon and the undeniable display of God's power, a universal call rings out. Nations both near and far are urged to rejoice and give honor to God, recognizing that He alone holds the power to reshape the course of history [רד״ק, שד״ל].

There are two primary ways to understand how and where this celebration takes place. One perspective views it as an act of spreading light and fire. In this understanding, the people are told to honor God by lighting torches and great bonfires. This acts as a blazing signal of salvation, carrying the good news of redemption across vast distances, just as people naturally do when celebrating a massive victory [מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This theme of light can also point to the warm, sunlit climates of the south [שד״ל], or it can serve as a spiritual promise that God will bring light to the righteous following their redemption from exiles like Babylon and Edom [רש״י].

Another perspective understands the setting in a geographic sense, focusing on deep valleys, borders, or the rocky clefts of the earth. During times of war, terrified people are forced to flee and hide in these dark, hidden cracks. Now, with their safety guaranteed and the enemy defeated, they can finally emerge from their hiding places to openly honor God [רש״י, מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, אבן עזרא]. Similarly, this might simply refer to everyday city dwellers, since most ancient cities were built in the safety of valleys rather than on exposed mountain peaks [רד״ק].

This celebration of God's power is not limited to those emerging from the valleys or those lighting fires nearby. The call reaches outward, crossing the oceans to distant islands and faraway lands. The command to honor God flows through the entire message, drawing in the exiles and the nations living at the edges of the earth [אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם]. As these distant nations witness the collapse of empires, they too will recognize God's absolute greatness. They will honor His name, fully understanding that all the historical wonders and mighty acts He performed across the globe were ultimately done for the sake of the people of Israel [רד״ק, מלבי״ם].