ישעיהו, פרק ס״ד, פסוק ב׳

A deep contrast exists between the glorious, unexpected ways God revealed Himself in the past and the painful reality of the present. The prophet raises a heartfelt plea mixed with a complaint: if God performed such massive wonders in ancient times, why is He not acting the same way now? In history, God carried out terrifying and great acts that went far beyond anything anyone could have anticipated [אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ, רד״ק]. The primary approach among commentators is that these events refer to the miracles of the Exodus from Egypt and the downfall of the nation's enemies [רש״י, חומת אנך].

There are different reasons why the people did not expect such awe-inspiring events at the time. Some explain that the Israelites felt unworthy and lacked the spiritual standing to merit such massive miracles [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. Others suggest that in those early days, the people simply had no experience with such things and were not yet used to witnessing miraculous sights [שד״ל, מלבי״ם]. Furthermore, during the Exodus, the people did not realize that those early miracles would establish a spiritual channel for future redemptions, a reality that is only understood today [חומת אנך].

Building on this history, the prophet presents a powerful argument. If God once performed incredible wonders for a people who did not even expect them, why does He hold back now? [מלבי״ם]. This creates a painful irony. Today, the people already know of God's past might and desperately wait and hope for His intervention, yet they do not get to witness it [שד״ל].

The ultimate historical display of this power occurred when God descended and the physical world melted before Him. Commentators agree that this descent refers to the gathering at Mount Sinai and the giving of the Torah, which was the true purpose of the Exodus. This act of coming down to the people was a profound display of God's humility [רש״י, מצודת דוד, שד״ל, חומת אנך]. As He revealed Himself, the earth reacted. The mountains either literally melted [אבן עזרא], or, in a more vivid picture, they trembled so violently before God that they began to drip and sweat out of sheer terror and dread [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון].