Last chapter spoke of one of the two outcomes that befalls the world when the Lord comes with his righteousness. We see in 34 the judgement of the nations, a hellish description of what is in store for those who are enemies of the Lord and his purposes. Chapter 35 is going to give us the alternative and we will see the restoration of a broken world. 

• Vv. 1-2 A desert represents an uninhabitable land, a cursed and lifeless place. We can draw its imagery to back when sin entered the world, as the desert draws stark contrast to the fruitful Garden of Eden in which God intended man to live. Chapter 35 begins with a transformation in the desert. We see that change is happening and life is forming in new and exciting ways in the dry land. Creation sings songs of praises and rejoicing to the Lord. And what is the cause of such life-giving celebration? It is the glory of the Lord seen by creation, and with it salvation being poured out. Exodus 15:22, Deuteronomy 1:19, and Romans 8:20-21 are good texts to read.

• Vv. 3-4 As our physical bodies break down, it directs our thoughts towards the fear and uncertainty of death. Isaiah is speaking of a restoration process that not only will bring us once again into the presence of the Lord but also will restore our decaying bodies! We see this physical restoration displayed through the miracles of Jesus and directs us to a future in which our bodies will no longer decay. Although we long for the second coming and the expectation of completion that will come with such an event, we ought to live with the reality that God has already come through Christ to bring salvation and restoration now. 

• Vv. 5-7 We are once again directed to a physical restoration as well as a spiritual renewal. We see the reverse of the curse of death and the joy in which this triumph brings. With it are seen the rushing living waters poured out over the wilderness, resembling life conquering over death. 

• Vv. 8-10 God will provide a highway that may transport his people into his eternal presence. It will be free of lions and snares that would draw us away from his way. We will enter his courts with shouts of praise. The Lord has saved. 

This chapter can only be fulfilled if seen through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross and his resurrection from the grave. There has been no other salvation in the history of Israel that compares to the terms of grandeur that are described in this chapter. This is a future hope of a people who are in the midst of much groaning and pain. They are fearful of the enemy standing outside of their gates and can only grasp towards a future not yet realized. But in Jesus we see the physical healing of the blind, deaf, mute, and lame. In Jesus we see the proclamation of a kingdom described here in which the physically decayed are brought to new life and the spiritually dead are revived as the desert being covered in life-giving waters. It is through Jesus that a highway has been purchased by blood. This highway is the name, knowledge, and relationship with Jesus as he himself declares that he is that way, truth, and life. He has cleared the way of lions and those who seek to destroy. And by his resurrection, he has brought destruction to death that we each may have life with him eternally. Isaiah 35 is the Gospel presented to an ancient people, proving hope is not for one people for one time, but rather an eternal fruit of the Lord.

My prayer is that, for each of us, we can recognize that hope of new life presented by Isaiah here, looking forward to the Christ to come; that we may taste such hope and allow it’s nutrition to fill up our lives that we may fearlessly look forward to a future of restoration.