READ: Is. 35:1-10: The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the excellency of our God …
In addition to prophecies of judgment, Isaiah is also given the task of bringing much comfort to the faithful remnant of the Old Testament church. That is why this message is also comforting for us.
Chapter 35 shows the transformation that God brings about through His redemption. First, there is the desert in all its desolation, barrenness, and inhospitable dryness. But see how that changes when God begins His redeeming work: then the desert will blossom abundantly, and it will sing and rejoice.
This points to what will happen after the return from exile: the coming of Christ and His Kingdom. Everything will come to life, true life. God will be glorified. There will be great joy. The church will be strengthened by the work of the Spirit and stirred up to rejoice in the LORD.
All of this is the result of His liberating power: the blind, the deaf, the lame, and the mute will be freed from their disabilities. With Christ, the acceptable year of the LORD will dawn (Luke 4:17ff; 7:22), as He removes the cause of all hunger and distress for His people through His atoning suffering.
Instead of death, there will be an abundance of life, symbolized by pools and springs of water (John 4:10ff; 7:37-38).
Then Isaiah points to the path the redeemed will walk. It is a holy way, with no room for the unclean, that is, sinners who do not take refuge in Christ. On that path, there is no danger! There are no ravenous wild animals. The way is completely safe and so well-marked that no one can get lost on it.
The final destination is the New Jerusalem, full of joy and gladness, without care or sorrow.
Do you long for this future as well?
Sing: Ps. 72:4