Isaiah35

Isaiah 35 prophesies a glorious transformation of the wilderness, which will blossom and rejoice, reflecting God's glory. God promises to come with salvation, opening the eyes of the blind, unstopping the ears of the deaf, and enabling the lame to leap and the dumb to sing, as waters break forth in the desert. A "Way of Holiness" will be established for the redeemed, upon which they will return to Zion with everlasting joy, free from sorrow and sighing.
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The Desert Blooms in Glory

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. ​

Encouragement for the Fearful

3
Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. ​
4
Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. ​

Miraculous Signs of Restoration

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 grass with reeds and rushes. ​

The Way of Holiness and Final Joy

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. ​

Study Notes for Isaiah 35

Verse 1

This chapter provides a glorious vision of future restoration, standing in stark contrast to the judgment described in Chapter 34. The transformation of the barren wilderness symbolizes God’s complete reversal of distress and desolation.

Verse 2

Lebanon, Carmel, and Sharon were known for their great fertility and beauty. Their ‘glory’ being transferred to the desert emphasizes the magnitude of the environmental transformation and the visible manifestation of God’s presence.

Verse 3

This is a direct command to the prophetic community or leaders to encourage the discouraged remnant. It stresses the need for perseverance and faith while awaiting the promised deliverance.

Verse 4

God’s intervention has a dual purpose: 'vengeance' (judgment) against the oppressors and 'recompense' (salvation/reward) for the faithful remnant. The assurance, 'He will come and save you,' is the central message.

Verse 5

The healing of physical disabilities (blindness, deafness, lameness) signifies the completeness of God’s restoration. These signs were later cited in the New Testament as evidence of Christ’s messianic identity (Matthew 11:5).

Verse 6

The physical healing of humanity is mirrored by the environmental healing of the earth. The breaking forth of waters in the desert symbolizes divine provision and the renewal of creation, reversing the curse of drought.

Verse 7

The transformation of parched ground into lush, well-watered habitation signifies that the places previously associated with danger and desolation ('habitation of dragons') will become places of life and safety.

Verse 8

The 'Way of Holiness' is a consecrated, protected path prepared for the returning exiles. It emphasizes that this journey back to Zion is spiritual as well as physical, restricted to the morally pure ('unclean shall not pass over it').

Verse 9

This verse assures the safety of the path. The removal of predatory animals and other dangers ensures that the journey of the 'redeemed' will be secure and peaceful, guarded by God’s presence.

Verse 10

This serves as the triumphant climax of the chapter. The 'ransomed of the LORD' return to Zion, marking the end of the exile and the permanent establishment of everlasting joy, where suffering and grief are eternally banished.

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