Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Isaiah 35 - The Ransomed Return to Zion

Chapter 35 of Isaiah brings good news to those who know and love the Messiah. Most Bibles title it something along the lines of "The Ransomed Return to Zion." This is good news!

Isaiah 35:1-2 (HCSB) The wilderness and the dry land will be glad; the desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose. It will blossom abundantly and will also rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God.

What a contrast to the gloom and doom of the land in the nations of chapter 34! The desert will blossom abundantly like a rose and rejoice with joy and singing - as when the trees clap their hands! This wilderness is not left to scavengers but is redeemed by God for the redeemed of God. And all with see the splendor and glory of YHWH as He reveals Zion.

Isaiah 35:3-4 (HCSB) Strengthen the weak hands, steady the shaking knees! Say to the cowardly: “Be strong; do not fear! Here is your God; vengeance is coming. God’s retribution is coming; He will save you.”

We see a New Covenant allusion to this: Hebrews 12:7, 12 - 13 (HCSB) "Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? Therefore strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed instead." God's vengeance is coming upon those who hate Him, retribution for the evil they've done. This same God, vengeful towards some, is merciful towards others. He WILL save His own - the Great Shepherd will find EVERY lost sheep and bring EACH one home to the sheepfold of God.

Isaiah 35:5-7 (HCSB) Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing for joy, for water will gush in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the parched ground will become a pool of water, and the thirsty land springs of water. In the haunt of jackals, in their lairs, there will be grass, reeds, and papyrus.

Jesus referred to the first part of this passage when John's disciples came to Him with the question, "Are you the One who is to come or should we look for another?" Matthew 11:4-6 (HCSB) "Jesus replied to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: the blind see, the lame walk, those with skin diseases are healed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news. And if anyone is not offended because of Me, he is blessed.”" This is how we know this passage in Isaiah describes the kingdom of God given through Jesus - He said it is proof that He is the One is to come. Again we see parched land revived, scavengers no longer at home because of this. If this is not cause to join the land and rejoice with great joy I fail to find any reason to do so.

Isaiah 35:8 (HCSB) A road will be there and a way; it will be called the Holy Way. The unclean will not travel on it, but it will be for the one who walks the path. Even the fool will not go astray.

In chapter 11 we read of a highway that brings God's remnant to Zion; here that road is a Holy Way that no rebels can travel. This road is set apart for those clothed in the righteousness of Christ, who walk His path; even fools that once denied Him will be kept on the narrow path since they now belong to Him.

Isaiah 35:9-10 (HCSB) There will be no lion there, and no vicious beast will go up on it; they will not be found there. But the redeemed will walk on it, and the redeemed of the LORD will return and come to Zion with singing, crowned with unending joy. Joy and gladness will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee.

Zion is in view here - no vicious animals or people will be there. Here we see them outside instead of tame, not in conflict what Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 11:6-7 (HCSB) "The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat. The calf, the young lion, and the fatling will be together, and a child will lead them. The cow and the bear will graze, their young ones will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox." Two references to Zion with word pictures using animals to describe the peace the redeemed will have. Neither reference should be seen as a focus on the animals, but on the peace of God He gives His people. We will walk on His revived land (new earth), wherein peace rules. We will sing His praise without end, full of joy and gladness. Not only with there be no vicious beasts, there will no sorrow.

Revelation 21:1-4 (HCSB) Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea no longer existed. I also saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look! God’s dwelling is with humanity, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will no longer exist; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away.

God's plan of redemption, unfolded from Genesis through Revelation - it's all about the One who was to come, the promised Messiah. He gives joy unbounded to those He brings into His sheepfold. Do you know Him? There is no politician, no business, no husband or wife, no child or parent that provide this peace and joy. Christ ALONE gave His life to save His OWN; to bring the ransomed to Zion.

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