By Eugene Garner

THE BLESSEDNESS OF ISRAEL IN THE COMING AGE

   The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God.

   1. Isaiah foresees a coming time of refreshment and renewal, (vs. 1).
      a. A former wilderness, the land of promise will be marvelously transformed and delivered from its wretchedness - in contrast to Edom's perpetual desolation, (55:12-13); Rom. 8:18-22).
      b. The people of Israel - for centuries as unfruitful as the parched desert, because of their willful blindness, and the disobedience of their unbelief, (59:10; Mic. 3:5-7; Jn. 3:19, II Cor. 3:14; Isa. 5:1-7) -- will be revitalized by the power and presence of the Christ, Who is both the nourishing bread and thirst-quenching water of life to those who trust in Him, (Jn. 6:35, 48; 4:14; 7:38-39).
      c. The promised blessing is such as will bring joy to the heart and praise to the lips of God's ancient people, whose hearts are now turned back to Him, and whose lives now blossom as the autumn crocus (rose of Sharon, S. of S. 2:1) - with the beauty of holiness upon them, (Psa. 119:7; 90:17; 96:6, 9).
    2. The blessings here described are clearly associated with, and conditioned upon, the coming and glorious manifestation of the Lord - wherein will be revealed the glory and "excellency of our God", (vs. 2; 25:9; Isa. 41:17-18, 20; Job 37:23; Psa. 8:1; Isa. 12:5; 28:29).
    3. The result will be a time of great fruitfulness and productivity from both a physical and spiritual viewpoint, (Amos 9:13-15; Isa. 29:17-19; Ezek. 34:26-27; Joel 3:18; Isa. 60:13-17; Zech. 8:12; Ezek. 36:8-9, 29-30, 35-36).

   Strengthen ye the weak hands, end confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you.

    1. The servants of truth are to strengthen and encourage the weak, fearful and desponding by holding before them the faithful promises of Jehovah; promises that WILL NOT FAIL! (vs. 3; Job 4:3-4; Heb. 12:12; Isa. 41:13).
    2. "Behold, your God will come!" His coming will be: with vengeance and recompense upon the enemy, (1:24-28; 61:2b; 63:4; 34:8; 59:17-18; Rom. 12:11; and with the manifestation of His saving strength in behalf of Israel, (12:2; 26:1-4; 33:22; 49:26; Psa. 145:18-19; Jer. 23:5; 30:7; Ezek. 37:21:28).

   Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: 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. How beautifully is the regeneration of Israel figuratively set forth in verses 5 and 6.
      a. Doubtless, the Lord, in His divine majesty and saving strength, will wipe out physical disease, deformity and decay from all whose hearts are stayed on Him, (Hos. 6:1; Lk. 4:18; Isa. 61:1-3; Rev. 22:2).
      b. But this context, so far as its initial application (to Judah) is concerned, requires a deeper significance and wider interpretation.
      c. So far as divine worship and service are concerned, the people of the covenant have long been blind, deaf, lame and mute - not a fruitful vineyard, but a parched desert that brings forth no fruit to the glory of God, (59:10; Matt. 13:14-15; Isa. 6:9-10; Matt. 3:10; 13:22; Lk. 13:6; Psa. 78:10-11; 81:11-16).
      d. Following this time of refreshment and renewal "from the presence of the Lord" (Acts 3:19), they will, willingly and joyfully, submit themselves to the yoke of Jehovah and bear effective witness of His glorious name to the ends of the earth (Zech. 10:6-12; Mic. 7:15-20; Zeph. 3:14-20).
    2. Verse 7 indicates that there will also be a refreshment and renewal of the literal land of Palestine, (43:19-21).
    3. Isaiah has a great deal to say concerning a "highway", (11:16; 19:23; 40:3; 49:11; 62:10) that is to be prepared for the return of a redeemed remnant of Israel to the Land of Promise, (vs. 8; Psa. 111:9).
      a. Henceforth Israel will walk in "the way of holiness" - following God's perfect plan, (30:21).
      b. On this highway will also come to Zion all her spiritual children (from among the Gentiles) who have, through the engrafting of faith, become "fellow-citizens of the saints, and of the household of God", to share in the fullness of covenanted blessings, (60:4-5; Rom. 11:11-24; Eph. 2:19).
      c.No one can travel on this highway (leading to the fullness of life) whose heart, life, love and loyalty are not perfectly attuned to the "Lord of glory", (vs. 9; Psa. 91:11; Mal. 3:1; Ezek. 34:25-26).
    4. It is to Zion, the City of God - where Messiah, the Lamb of God, now sits enthroned (vs. 10; 1:27; Psa. 48:1-2) - that Isaiah beholds the redeemed returning with singing, (44:23; 49:13; Jer. 31:11-12; 33:10-11); and he gives assurance:
      a.That their joy will be everlasting, (Psa. 16:11; I Pet. 4:13; comp. Rev. 5:8-13; 14:3; 15:3-4).
      b.And that, for them, sorrow and sighing will be no more! (25:8; 30:19; 65:19; Rev. 7:17; 21:4).