35. Isaiah Chapter Thirty-Five

Isaiah Chapter 35 The Millennial conditions of peace and prosperity foretold in this chapter and the definite contrasts with what is predicted in chapter thirty-four, make clear that the judgments of the wrath of God foretold in that chapter are those to be carried out at the close of the present age. The overthrow of the antichristian powers by the Second Advent of Christ will be followed by what set forth. In contrast to the barren condition of Edom, the land of Palestine will “blossom as the rose” (Isaiah 35:1). “The glory of the Lord, the excellency of our God” will be manifested (cp. Isaiah 40:5). Weak hands are to be strong to work; tottering knees are to be confirmed. Fear will be banished. The vengeance of God upon the foe will be healed. The lame will leap, the dumb will sing (Isaiah 40:3-5). The woeful conditions of distress in the great tribulation will yield place to all that makes for the glory of God in the happiness of His redeemed. The wilderness, the desert, the parched ground, the thirsty land, will all become fertile, for nature itself will reap the benefits of the removal of antagonistic powers, spiritual and human, and of the presence of the glory of the Lord and His people, earthly and heavenly (Isaiah 40:7). The very means of intercourse and communication will be consecrated to God. Both the highway and the ordinary road will be holy. The walk of life will be “The way of holiness.” No unclean person will traverse it. It will be for those who have fellowship with God, those in whose heart are “the high ways to Zion” (Psalms 84:5, r.v.). Even the simple folk will not go astray (Isaiah 40:8). The nature of the ravenous beasts will be changed. The lion will eat straw like the ox. There will be nothing to mar the peace of the redeemed (Isaiah 35:9). The whole passage closes with a promise, which is repeated in Isaiah 51:11, the assurance marking both parts of the book with the same message of comfort: “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs, and everlasting joy upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”