Isaiah 35: Transformation for the returning redeemed

Context

• 1.4 Warnings & Jerusalem’s hope Ch.28-35
• 1.4.1 Warnings
  • Ch.28 – Woe to the leaders of Ephraim and Judah
  • Ch.29 – Woe to Jerusalem
  • Ch.30 – Woe to Israel for obstinate rejection of God
  • Ch.31 – Woe to Israel relying on Egypt for deliverance from the Assyrians
• 1.4.2 Judgments with Hope
  • Ch.32 – The Coming of Disaster then a new era of Righteousness & Blessing
  • Ch.33 – Judgment on the Invader (Assyria), blessing on Jerusalem
  • Ch.34 – Judgment against the nations & Edom
  • Ch.35 – Transformation for the returning redeemed

Chapter 35

• v.1,2 Contrasting the previous chapter, Israel will be a blessed land
• v.3,4 Encouragement: God is coming to save
• v.8-10 A way back to God in Jerusalem will be provided

[Preliminary Comment: Note two things:

Application: This chapter concludes this Part with a prophecy that may perhaps have various applications: a general principle encouragement prophecy, a description of the spiritual transformation brought by the Messiah, and/or an end-time prophecy.

Content: The contrast between the devastated land of the previous chapter and what is now revealed is stark. The initial picture is of a land that is blossoming [v.1,2] and the people are exhorted to be strong for God is coming to save them [v.3,4]. Returning to the picture of the Land, we are shown healing and transformation for both people and the Land itself [v.5-7] and within it will be a new highway back to the Lord at Jerusalem [v.8-10]. Whichever of the suggested applications above [and it may be all], it is an encouraging picture of the restoring blessing of God coming to His people.]

v.1,2 Contrasting the previous chapter, Israel will be a blessed land

v.1 The desert and the parched land will be glad;
    the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus,

v.2 it will burst into bloom;
    it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,
    the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
they will see the glory of the Lord,
    the splendor of our God.

[Notes: Clearly referring to the Promised Land, transformation for the desert is promised.]

v.3,4 Encouragement: God is coming to save

v.3  Strengthen the feeble hands,
    steady the knees that give way;

v.4 say to those with fearful hearts,
    ‘Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
    he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
    he will come to save you.’

[Notes: Take heart, be strong, God is coming to save you

v.5-7 Healing & Transformation are promised

v.5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
    and the ears of the deaf unstopped.

v.6 Then will the lame leap like a deer,
    and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
    and streams in the desert.

v.7 The burning sand will become a pool,
    the thirsty ground bubbling springs.
In the haunts where jackals once lay,
    grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.

[Notes: Healing will come. Joy and life will break forth, the desert will be transformed.]

v.8-10 A way back to God in Jerusalem will be provided

v.8 And a highway will be there;
    it will be called the Way of Holiness;
    it will be for those who walk on that Way.
The unclean will not journey on it;
    wicked fools will not go about on it.

v.9 No lion will be there,
    nor any ravenous beast;
    they will not be found there.
But only the redeemed will walk there,

v.10  and those the Lord has rescued will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;
    everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them,
    and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

[Notes: A way will be opened up for the righteous to return. It will be a path of safety & security. The redeemed will return to Jerusalem and to the Lord.]

For those who may wish to make a study of this chapter, to perhaps think some more about what you have been reading, use the link below: