FRAMEWORKS:
Isaiah 35: Transformation
for the returning redeemed
For
Context see chapter 28
v.1,2
Contrasting the previous chapter, Israel will be a blessed land
v.3,4
Encouragement: God is coming to save
v.5-7
Healing & Transformation are promised
v.8-10
A way back to God in Jerusalem will be provided
[Introductory
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
(Transformation
for the desert is promised) 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.
(It clearly refers to the Promised
Land) The glory of Lebanon
will be given to it,
the splendour of Carmel and Sharon;
they will see the glory of the Lord,
the splendour of our God.
v.3,4
Encouragement: God is coming to save
v.3
(Take
heart, be strong, God is coming to save you) 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.'
v.5-7
Healing & Transformation are promised
v.5
(Healing
will come) Then will the eyes
of the blind be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
v.6 (Joy
and life will break forth) 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
desert will be transformed) 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.
v.8-10
A way back to God in Jerusalem will be provided
v.8 (A
way will be opened up for the righteous to return) 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 (It
will be a path of safety & security) 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.
(The redeemed will return to Jerusalem and to the Lord)
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.
CONTINUE
TO CHAPTER 36