Isa. 35 (entire chapter)
I. Introduction
A. This great promise comes to Israel immediately after the promise of destruction to the rebellious, unrepentant nations that arise against GOD and righteousness.
1. And just like GOD promised Israel that He would deliver new life back to them, He still promises new life today, both to the barren, deserted wilderness of a sinner’s heart, as well as to His church in the midst of a barren, deserted world!
II. Vs 1 - 2.
A. “The wilderness and the solitary place...”
1. We all know what a wilderness experience is, but “the solitary place” is literally interpreted as “a place without water”.
a. It’s no secret that this world is dry, barren, a desert place...without the rivers of refreshing that are so desperately needed!
(1) This world is craving something to fill the emptiness in their lives! It is a barren, wasted world that they live in!
B. “...the Glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon...”
1. Notice that what once had held no glory will now be given the Glory of Lebanon.
a. Did you realize that the Cedars of Lebanon are what were used to build both Solomon’s Palace as well as the Temple of Jerusalem?
b. GOD is able to take those whose lives appear to be absolutely worthless, and from that wasteland of wickedness, He’ll build a palace of praise!
III. Verses 3-4
A. “Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.”
1. Weak hands - Hands that have lost all their strength, hands that can no longer maintain their grip on truth!
a. With the arid, lifeless condition of this world, it is no great wonder why so many are falling by the wayside! We need to stop judging and condemning, and instead offer a strong arm to support those who may be having trouble holding onto this precious Truth!
2. Feeble knees - Knees that are unable to support; knees that have staggered and stumbled in trying to make the journey.
a. There are some who are unable to make this journey on their own; we are commanded to support those who may be weaker than ourselves, not to condemn them!
(1) Rom 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
(2) Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
3. “...them that are of a fearful heart...” - The Hebrew word here (fearful) means “hasty, ready to flee”.
a. We have to realize that this prophecy was coming to a people who had been conquered by an invading army; they were predisposed to flee from before the onslaught of their enemy!
b. The Word of GOD is telling us today that we cannot run from our enemy; we must stand our ground!
4. “...GOD...will come and save you.”
a. Notice that the prophet does not tell the people, “You’ll be able to stand and overcome.” Instead, he comforts them with the assurance that “GOD will come and save you.”
(1) We must be assured that GOD is on our side! There are times that we are commanded to fight, or to stand; there are other times, however, when GOD sends word that HE is coming to fight for us!
IV. Vs 5 - 6
A. “The eyes of the blind shall be opened...”
1. Not only was this a Messianic prophecy concerning the LORD Jesus, but I believe it was a spiritual prophecy as well.
a. Isa. 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light...
b. I believe that the darkness of deceit is giving way to the radiance of revival! This world is tired of all the phonies—they want something that is genuine!
B. The deaf ears unstopped, and the crippled walk
1. Again, I believe this was not only a prophecy concerning the coming of Israel’s Messiah—which was fulfilled in the ministry of Jesus Christ—but I believe it was also had a spiritual application to the modern-day Church as well!
a. Deaf ears that have never heard this gospel preached are hearing it preached today!
b. Crippled lives that have been unable to walk in the light of revelation are finding strength within their legs to stand for truth, to “walk in the light”!
V. Key Verse - Vs. 7
A. “...the parched ground shall become a pool,”
1. This phrase “parched ground” is interpreted in the Hebrew tongue into the modern-day word, “mirage”.
a. What the Word of GOD is telling us is that the deceptive appearances of this world’s religious movements cannot satisfy; it will, instead, be replaced by a genuine oasis in the wilderness of life!
(1) How about it, friend? Are you tired of being caught up in what appears to be genuine? Are you ready for something real? Is your thirst really being quenched by what is only an illusion of Christianity? You need to find something that’s genuine, something real in the myriad of hallucinations that surround you in this world!
B. “...in the habitation of dragons...”
1. Dragons—literally, jackals—are wild dogs, scavengers that feed off of dead carcasses. These scavengers live in the empty, desolate places of the Middle East.
2. But allow me to insert
a. Rev. 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
b. Rev 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
(1) I believe that GOD is establishing a church—a healthy, thriving, apostolic church—in the very place where the devil has had his playground! We’re tearing down the stronghold of sin and establishing a monument of Mercy!
VI. Conclusion
A. Isa 35:10 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.
1. GOD has promised His people a return to Zion!
a. Where once you may have found yourself in a desolate, empty place, GOD has promised restoration.
b. This restoration is being promised not only to the sinner, but to the Church of the LIVING GOD as well!
