Isaiah 35:1-10

Isaiah 35:1-10 NIV The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. 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. Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, and those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Isaiah 35 is a welcome message of consolation for the people of God who will endure the invasion of the Assyrian army. While the city of Jerusalem will be spared this time, the people of Northern Israel and some of the towns in Judah were not as fortunate. The survivors were hauled away to exile and slavery. But after God conquers Assyria, the exiles will return. Isaiah's imagery communicates a complete inversion of things as they are under the brutality of Assyria. Up will be down. Death will be life. In other words the transformation of life for the exiles will be a joyous turning of events when they find themselves suddenly free, walking back to Jerusalem to the Holy city with the blessings of God. Isaiah tells us how the desert will become fertile like well watered mountains. Life will unfold like an early spring crocus. The fearful will find courage in the good news that God is coming to save. They will feel like the blind that can now see and the lame that can now walk! The returning exiles will journey back home to the Lord at Jerusalem. Isaiah calls the path home, "The Way of Holiness." Those who keep the Law of Moses will travel home to God. The unclean and foolish will remain exiled from God, for they refuse to take the path of a disciplined life in obedience to God. The righteous will find security in their journey of holiness. And when they near the gates of their dwelling place with God they will be filled with incredible joy! Sounds wonderful. Am I willing to commit to the Way? Jesus set the path. His grace guides and empowers. His love blesses with joy each day. Give yourself a Christmas gift and get on the path home.