Isaiah 35:1-10
Q.1. When will Israel’s land be transformed? What will precede this event? How did this prophecy relate to the coming of their Saviour? – (Isa.35:1-6)
It was inevitable that judgment would fall on the rebellious nation. However, Isaiah promised a glorious future for the faithful. The land of Israel will be lush and will blossom like the Garden of Eden (Isa.35:1-1-2, 6-7 c.f. Ezk.36:35). Before salvation comes, God will punish His erring children. However, Isaiah encouraged the godly – Say to those with anxious heart, “Take courage. Fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The recompense of God will come, but He will save you.” (Isa.35:4). After these events the Lord will return, when – … They will see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God (Isa.35:2 c.f. Rev.19:11-16). However, Isaiah saw a closer mountain top of prophecy, as he described the ministry of Messiah, Jesus – 5 Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. 6 Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will shout for joy … (Isa.35:5-6 c.f. Isa.61:1-2; Mt.9:35-36; 11:3-5; 15:30-31). Prophecies like these related to the first coming of the Messiah. They were fulfilled by Jesus throughout His earthly ministry. These prophecies gave God’s people the opportunity to identify their Messiah by the miraculous signs seen during His time on earth (c.f. Heb.2:3-4).
Q.2. How significant will be the transformation of the land? Who will live in the land? Who will not? How great will be the nation’s peace and joy? For how long? – (Isa.35:7-10)
From the creation of the world there have been massive changes: (i) The world of the Garden of Eden was idyllic – Gen.2:8-14, 19. (ii) One thousand six hundred years later, God destroyed the earth with a world-wide flood – Gen.chpts.7 & 8. (iii) God destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah in the lush Jordan Valley – Gen.13:10-12 c.f. Gen.19:24-25, 28-29. (iv) The world will be devastated during the time of the Great Tribulation – Mt.24:21-22 c.f. Rev.6:12-17; 16:17-21. (v) Christ will reign on earth for a thousand years in a totally re-landscaped earth – Isa.2:2; 11:1-9; Ezk.47:1-12; Mic.4:1. (vi) God will make a new Heaven and a new earth – 2 Pet.3:10-13 c.f. Rev.chpts.21 & 22. Isaiah foresaw beyond these future earth- shattering events, to when the desert will blossom, people and wild animals will live peacefully together, and the streets will be transformed into a highway of Holiness (Isa.35:1-2, 7-9). God’s people will rejoice and – 9 … the redeemed will walk there, 10 and the ransomed of the Lord will return and come with joyful shouting to Zion, with everlasting joy upon their heads. They will find gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away (Isa.35:9-10). In the midst of doom, there was a promise of blessing for a faithful remnant of His people.