The promises of God!
Not just to us Christians, mind you.
But to Israel as well!
Including today’s Text, loaded with Jewish flavor …
“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.” Isaiah 35:8-10
People coming to Jerusalem, to Zion! To see Jesus the King, the Lord of all the earth!
So many (at the inception of the Millennium, I believe) are coming that a Highway will be built to accommodate them all. (In the Atlanta area there is a broad four-land road named “Stone Mountain Freeway.” In Jerusalem such a thoroughfare will be called the “Highway of Holiness.” Not that the concrete is “holy” necessarily, but those who travel it have seen and trusted King Jesus, thus having been made holy, all their sins gone!) No one will get “lost” on this trip, either. Even a simpleton can follow these directions … to the House of the Lord.
And whereas Isaiah 34 described a land overrun by ravenous beasts … Isaiah 35 has them all tamed! Again, their Creator Jesus, has returned! The curse has been lifted!
Then Isaiah uses the word “redeemed,” describing these people, these “returnees.” New Believers in Christ our Lord. (This is the very first time our Prophet has employed this great word! Though the idea of “redemption” will proliferate in Isaiah chapters 40-66.) The “gaal” root in Hebrew suggests the beautiful Old Testament “Kinsman Redeemer” concept.
And “ransomed” tells us a “price” has been paid … to set people free! Liberty from the shackles of sin! And the grip of the late anti-Christ! The Blood of Jesus, God’s Son, what a Price!
Finally, as a result of being “ransomed/redeemed” … “joy and “gladness” return to God’s people. Simultaneously “sorrow and signing” flee away!
What a trade!
Hallelujah!
And we who are born-again will be with Jesus as these events unfurl! Witnesses to these great happenings!
And I suspect, rejoicing right along with Israel, saved Israel!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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