This final verse shows the dramatic difference between the destruction that will occur when people are indifferent or antagonistic towards God and Christ and truth, versus the phenomenal blessings that will occur when people pursue, seek out, and embrace the learning of Bible doctrine.
The actual historical occurrence of these events will take place at the end of the tribulation, when there will be huge destruction and desolation such that only thorns and briars will grow and will spread out over the entire land, and then this will be followed by the second advent of Christ, and when His reign begins, then all of the destruction will be immediately transformed into phenomenal blessings.
The still waters, describes the peace and prosperity that will result from rich and fertile soil, and the removal of all difficulties of life.
The livestock will be able to roam and graze freely without the need for fences or confinement of any kind, and will not be in danger of being lost or stolen.
In short, this chapter points out, that all of the blessings imaginable are readily available now, however because people are indifferent, and have a tendency toward sin rather than toward the spiritual resources of life, then human history is going to run its course right up until and through the tribulation, and therefore headlong into the dramatic destruction of nearly the entire human race.
And people bring all of this destruction onto themselves.
It will not be until humanity brings itself to near extinction, and Jesus Christ dramatically rescues humanity from itself, that then the blessings will pour out from heaven.
In each persons individual life, the drama of destruction is avoidable. All one has to do is to want Bible doctrine, to seek it out, to pursue it, to learn Bible doctrine, and to advance in their spiritual life, as God intends for each one of us to do.
On an individual basis, the blessed life is certainly doable.
But as far as society and human history are concerned, the tribulation and self-destruction of humanity are inevitable.
Study [by instruction],
to show thyself approved [spiritually mature]
unto God,
a workman [student]
that need not be ashamed [ignorant],
rightly dividing [learning, understanding, discerning]
the word of truth [Bible doctrine].
