Isaiah 35:1-10
1 The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.
2 It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.
3 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.
4 Say to them that are of a fearfula heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.
5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
6 Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.
7 And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grassb with reeds and rushes.
8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
9 No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:
10 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.
The message of this chapter stands in close relation to the message of the preceding one, and yet in almost startling contrast to it. That was a picture of desolation. This is one of restoration. As in the former the whole earth was described as having been brought into confusion and emptiness, this great song opens with a description of the restoration of natural order. In all the beauty and glory of His rule men are to see anew "the glory of Jehovah, the excellency of God." This is to be brought about by the coming of God. It is a message of hope to the weak and the feeble. It is the explanation of the fearful vengeance described in the previous chapter. Through that vengeance God moves to this victory.
The glorious issues of the divine activity are then declared, as they will be realized by His own chosen people. There will be an end of all the spiritual dullness of which the prophet has so consistently reminded them. All material defense will be removed, and a highway will be constructed. Finally the ransomed of the Lord will return, and sorrow and sighing will pass away. According to the whole teaching of the Old Testament concerning the purposes of God, this earthly restoration of His people will issue in world-wide blessing.