Isaiah 35
35
The Redeemed Return to Zion
1 # 35:1 Chapters 35–39 form the conclusion of the first part of the book of Isaiah. They contain the accounts of three historical events, each surrounding the influence of the prophet Isaiah during the reign of Israel’s King Hezekiah. This section of Isaiah is frequently called “the Volume of Hezekiah” since he is mentioned thirty-five times in these four chapters. Chapters 35–37 detail the unsuccessful efforts of Sennacherib, king of Assyria, to take possession of Jerusalem by threats and intimidation. Chapter 38 details Hezekiah’s sickness and miracle of divine healing. Chapter 39 gives us the account of Hezekiah’s sin of pride in showing all his wealth to the Babylonian emissaries. # 35:1 This chapter is recognized as a Hebrew poem of rare and superb beauty, one of the most glorious chapters in the Bible. It is a picture of the last-days church rising up out of the wilderness to shine in all the radiance of its glory. It is a picture of Eden restored as the kingdom-realm of God brings hope to the weak and struggling. “The Sacred Way” is the way of life in Christ as we live in heaven’s power and virtue. The wilderness and dry land will be joyously glad!
The desert will blossom like a rose and rejoice!
2Every dry and barren place will burst forth with abundant blossoms, # 35:2 Or “Blossoming it will blossom.” The Hebrew word parach implies breaking forth and blooming. It can also mean to “spread [the wings] and fly.” This is what will happen to God’s people in the last days. Once confined in the wilderness, they will break forth and blossom with beauty and glory as saints of the Most High.
dancing and spinning with delight! # 35:2 The Hebrew word giyl implies spinning with delight and dancing. See Ps. 149:3; Jer. 31:13; Zeph. 3:17.
Lebanon’s lush splendor covers it,
the magnificent beauty of Carmel # 35:2 Carmel is a mountain range near Israel’s Mediterranean coast. Carmel means “fruitful,” “plentiful,” “orchard,” “garden,” or “vineyard.” See Song. 4:11–15; 7:5. and Sharon. # 35:2 Sharon is a coastal plain in Israel. Sharon means “an open, sweeping plain,” “straight,” “upright,” “pleasant,” or “prosperous.”
My people # 35:2 As translated from the Septuagint. The Hebrew is “They.” will see the awesome glory of Yahweh,
the beautiful grandeur of our God.
3Strengthen those who are discouraged. # 35:3 Or “strengthen the weak hands.” See Heb. 12:12–13.
Energize those who feel defeated. # 35:3 Or “Make firm those with feeble knees.”
4Say to the anxious and fearful,
“Be strong and never afraid.
Look, here comes your God!
He is breaking through to give you victory!
He comes to avenge your enemies.
With divine retribution he comes to save you!” # 35:4 See Ps. 149:4, 7.
5Then blind eyes will open and deaf ears will hear.
6Then the lame will leap # 35:6 See Acts 3:7–8. like playful deer
and the tongue-tied will sing songs of triumph.
Gushing water will spring up in the wilderness
and streams will flow through the desert. # 35:6 See Judg. 15:18–19; Ps. 110:7.
7The burning sand will become a refreshing oasis,
the parched ground bubbling springs,
and the dragon’s # 35:7 Or “serpent,” “monster,” or “jackal.” lair a meadow
with grass, reeds, and papyrus.
8There will be a highway of holiness called the Sacred Way.
The impure will not be permitted on this road,
but it will be accessible to God’s people. # 35:8 Or “it is for those who walk the walk.”
And not even fools will lose their way. # 35:8 Or “fools will not trespass on it.”
9The lion # 35:9 The lion is a frequent metaphor for Satan. See 1 Peter 5:8. will not be found there;
no wild beast will travel on it—
they will not be found there.
But the redeemed will find a pathway on it.
10Yahweh’s ransomed ones will return with glee to Zion.
They will enter with a song of rejoicing
and be crowned with everlasting joy.
Ecstatic joy will overwhelm them;
weariness and grief will disappear!
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Isaiah 35: TPT
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