Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.” Isaiah 35:4
Everlasting Joy Shall Crown Their Heads
Recompense (35:3-10) Images of the dread judgment of God are balanced by this portrait of the joy of the redeemed. The Apostle Paul reflects the sense of this passage in Rom. 8:18, where he says, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” God’s people will suffer while society is corrupted by sin and evil men are bent on oppressing the righteous. But just as God’s day of vengeance is just retribution for the wicked, it introduces the divine repayment of the redeemed for past pain.
6 Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert.
7 The parched ground shall become a pool, And the thirsty land springs of water; In the habitation of jackals, where each lay, There shall be grass with reeds and rushes.
8 A highway shall be there, and a road, And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, But it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, Shall not go astray 10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
35:3 Strengthen the weak hands: This phrase is cited in Heb. 12:12 (see also Josh. 1:6, 7, 9, 18). We can reassure ourselves with the knowledge that our Savior is coming. In that day, justice will be restored.
3 Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees.
⇒ Christ is coming. He will reverse the bleak lives of the redeemed. Deserts will turn into beautiful places with flowers, plants and streams of water – a paradise. A highway to holiness will be there for us to walk on. Even a fool will not err. This promise of reversal of our current situation is repeated so many times in the Bible that indeed even a fool can see that that’s what’s promised.
So, let’s not fear the Great Reset the powers that be are ushering in. Our Savior is coming. He will reset their reset.
The Glorious Future of Zion
35 1 The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; 2 It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, Even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, The excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, The excellency of our God. 3 Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees. 4 Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.”
5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 6 Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert. 7 The parched ground shall become a pool, And the thirsty land springs of water; In the habitation of jackals, where each lay, There shall be grass with reeds and rushes. 8 A highway shall be there, and a road, And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, But it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, Shall not go astray. 9 No lion shall be there, Nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it; It shall not be found there. But the redeemed shall walk there, 10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.