Now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. . . . I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. . . . Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. . . . This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise. 

In this passage, compass points convey the reach of God’s dominion rather than specific locations. His gathering activity recalls words from Deuteronomy: “The Lord thy God will turn thy captivity . . . and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath scattered thee” (30:3).

To Jews, these prophecies referred to liberating and restoring their people exiled in Babylonia or dispersed to far corners of the known world. For followers of Christ, this text promises that God will seek out everyone who is lost and bring all wanderers home.