Isaiah The Hope of Healing Isaiah 35 T he path of the pilgrim is a long and hard one. What keeps him on the path is looking towards the city, the eternal kingdom which is the hope of his final reward. This city is the promised dwelling of all who have accepted Christ s gift of salvation. The city symbolizes a place of hope, hope for fellowship, hope for healing, hope of eternal joy. The pilgrims including Hopeful and Christian have almost arrived at the city, but until we arrive home, there are always trials. And for the group there was a river between them and the gate which opened on a path leading to the city. And so they swim, arriving at the other side: Now, upon the bank of the river, on the other side, they saw the two shining men again, who there waited for them. Wherefore, being come out of the river, they saluted them, saying, We are ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for those that shall be the heirs of salvation. Thus they went along towards the gate. Now you must note, that the city stood upon a mighty hill; but the pilgrims went up that hill with ease, because they had these two men to lead them up by the arms 1 Christian and Hopeful asked,, What must we do in the holy place? To whom it was answered, You must there receive the comfort of all your toil, and have joy for all your sorrow; you must reap what you have sown, even the fruit of all your prayers, and tears, and sufferings for the King by the way. In that place you must wear crowns of gold, and enjoy the perpetual sight and vision of the Holy One; for there you shall see him as he is. There also you shall serve him continually with praise, with shouting and thanksgiving, whom you desired to serve in the world, though with much difficulty, because of your eyes shall be delighted with seeing, and your ears with hearing the pleasant voice of the Mighty one. the infirmity of your flesh. There you shall enjoy your friends again that are gone thither before you; and there you shall with joy receive every one that follows into the holy place after you. 2 And one day we will walk the same path to the gate and beyond into the eternal city. I Introduction II Healing Nature Verses 1-2 III Healing Man, Physically and Spiritually Verses 3-6 IV Healing the Nation Verses 7-10 V Conclusion Isaiah has focused to a significant degree of the judgmental aspects of the coming Day of the Lord. For the Jew, judgment of her enemies and vindication was understandably very important. Also, considering the ongoing idolatry in both Judah and Israel, God s judgment of the nations should have served as a warning of the danger of their continuing rebellion. 1 Bunyan, John, Pilgrim s Progress, The Christian Herald, New York, NY, Christian Herald Edition, p. 254-255 2 Ibid.
But, as we noted last time, while we need to make sinners aware of the danger of their coming judgment, God desires none should be lost. He wants people to become His children and as a result receive the blessings that come with salvation. These include blessings in our lives now; blessings of the kingdom age; and of course the greatest blessing, an eternity in His presence. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). So as we examine this text, we will see it brings a message of hope for Israel, one which still offers hope to the religious Jew. But is this promise of hope we also find as similar message for ourselves, one which should be a comfort while we continue to live and serve God in a fallen world. It is a great benefit to be caught up in God s perspective as we live out this life. As an aside it should be noted that contentment comes only in dependency on God and His gift of Strength. I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:11-13). Introduction: There are again two aspects to the prophecies of Chapters 34 and 35. The first is relates to the immediate future and God s promise of rescue for Judah. But the magnitude of the words carries us to the more distant kingdom age. Where Chapter 34 focuses on the judgment of the nations and their destruction, a deserved judgment because of their continuous rebellion against God and attacks on the Jewish peoples. now the scene shifts to the positive aspects of the kingdom. Even if we accept the first aspects of the prophecy, that is it s speaking to the near future, this can only be a foreshadowing. This is obvious because the events of the fall of Assyria or other immediate restorations simply do not live up to the context. While some contemporary theologians may reject the passages as speaking of a future literal kingdom, clearly it does. Malbim, the rabbinical scholar, notes: This prophecy was not realized when the Jews returned from Babylon. There is no everlasting joy. Moreover, they did not achieve gladness and joy until after the sadness and sighing were gradually curtailed. In the future, however there will be everlasting joy, not followed by another exile. Moreover, gladness and joy will immediately overtake them and dispel sadness and sighing. [Malbim] 3 Verses 1-2: These verses present a direct contrast with the conditions found in Edom. (see Chapter 34). When God judges the nations, they are left desolate. When God heals Israel, the land becomes once again fruitful. Grogan believes the blossoming of the land isn t limited specifically to Israel, but should be seen as broader. He states: The prophet speaks of the desert (v.1) but does not indicate its location. The tendency is to assume that it is Judah or Israel-Judah that is in view, but v.8-10 suggest that the prophet is thinking about the exiles re- 3 Rosenberg, Rabbi A., Isaiah, Vol. 2, The Judaica Press, Inc., New York, NY, 1992, p. 286. ) 266(
turning from Babylon and crossing the many miles of desert lying between Mesopotamia and the Promised Land. In view of the promise that the messianic King would he seen in his beauty as governing a farstretching land (33:17), it is probably best to think in terms of all the terrain occupied or traversed by God s people, but with Zion (v.10) as the center of the kingdom and the end goal of the returning exiles. 4 From the broadest perspective, this is the long awaited healing of nature. Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity (Psalm 98:7-9). Verses 3-6: I find three aspects to these verses. There is the comfort of God. There is physical healing. And, I believe there is a spiritual aspect to the healings as well. So, first we find God comforting the fears of His children. The times of suffering, of exiles, and for that matter, the judgment of God on a rebellious people, have come to an end. This sounds reminiscent of the words of the Apostle John: For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away (Revelation 7:17, 21:4). Next Isaiah speaks to physical healing. God s healing is a sign of His love and the restored relationship with His previously rebellious, unrepentant children. Also, the healing of God is a sign of the work of the Messiah. It appears Jesus is referring directly back to Isaiah when John s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, he sent them to the Lord to ask, Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else? When the men came to Jesus, they said, John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else? At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me. (Luke 7:18-23). But the healing here could also be seen as spiritual healing. The spiritual blindness of the nation has been lifted and the people will recognize their Messiah, repent, and return to God. So all this looks forward to the coming Messianic Age, the healing of a people, the healing of a nation, and the healing of a world. Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God (Acts 3:7-8). 4 Grogan, Geoffrey W., The Expositor s Bible Commentary, Isaiah, Zondervan Interactive Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1990 ) 267(
Most of all the Messianic Age is a time of praising, worshiping and rejoicing because of being in relationship with God prior to the greatest time of all, an eternity in His presence. Verses 7-10: Again Isaiah turns to the healing of the Land. But this goes beyond the healing of nature, to the healing of the state and the nation. This is why Isaiah speaks of the highway going up to the city. The way up to Zion will be the way of the righteous. It will be a way of peace and safety. It will be under the authority of the Messiah. Where there was once a mirage now: The shimmering desert heat, which so often produces the illusion of abundant water, will now become a real pool of water, the deserted place a green pasture with peacefully reclining herds of domestic animals. 5 Where the desert was a place of wild animals, now it is a place of safety. (see Chapter 34). Where there was nothing but desert, there is now a highway going through it. It is called the Way of Holiness because it separated unto God and leads to the Holy City, to Zion. But there is another reason it is called holy and that is because it is a city intended for the righteous. This is reminiscent of both Isaiah 33 and Psalm 15. Once again we see the distinction made between the benefits which come to the righteous and the losses that come to the wicked. They cannot travel this road and they cannot enter the city. The righteous, however, can walk on this highway. They go up to the city. They are called the ransomed because God has paid the price for their restoration. They celebrate, they praise they worship, they rejoice. When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, The LORD has done great things for them. The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him (Psalm 126) Once there was judgment on the lost and trials and struggles for the saved. But one day that will all come to a glorious end. And that is the promise of this chapter. Israel herself will be restored. The nation will be healed. Conclusion: Speaking of joy and rejoicing, Dr. McGee ends his analysis of the chapter by saying: Can you think of anything nicer than this? This not only includes Israel, but it will included the redeemed who enter the Millennium upon the earth. 6 5 Buksbazen, Victor, The Prophet Isaiah, In Two Volumes, The Spearhead Press, Collingswood, NJ, 1971, p. 280. 6 McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee, Vol. 3, Isaiah, Thomas Nelson Inc., Nashville, TN 1982, p. 274. ) 268(
Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles If any of the peoples of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, they will have no rain (Zechariah 14:16-17). Richard Baxter put it this way: Hasten, O Saviour, the time of Thy return. Delay not, lest the living give up their hope. Delay not, lest earth shall grow like hell, and Thy Church shall be crumbled to dust. O hasten, that great resurrection day, when the graves that received but rottenness, and retain but dust, shall return Thee glorious stars and suns. Thy desolate Bride saith, Come. The whole creation saith, Come, even so come, Lord Jesus. The whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain, waiting for the revealing of the sons of God. 7 As wonderful as the coming kingdom may be, even it is but a shadow of something even more glorious and that is an eternity in heaven. A.A. Hodge describes heaven as the eternal home of the divine Man and of all the redeemed members of the human race, must necessarily be thoroughly human in its structure, conditions, and activities. Its joys and activities must all be rational, moral, emotional, voluntary and active. There must be the exercise of all the faculties, the gratification of all tastes, the development of all talent capacities, the realization of all ideals. The reason, the intellectual curiosity, the imagination, the aesthetic instincts, the holy affections, the social affinities, the inexhaustible resources of strength and power native to the human soul must all find in heaven exercise and satisfaction. Then there must always be a goal of endeavor before us, ever future. 8 And so heaven will be an exhilarating, exciting experience that will never come to an end. 9 And so, as we go through scripture, and for that matter, life, and see suffering, injustice, and continuing rebellion against a loving God, we can remember the real goal of life is God, relationship with Him, and eternity with Him. Then, with the psalmist we can Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary. Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth. Say among the nations, The LORD reigns. The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity. Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the LORD, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth (Psalm 96). 7 Ibid. 8 Hanegraaff, Hank, Resurrection, Word Publishing, Nashville, TN, 2000, p. 116-117. 9 Ibid., p. 117. ) 269(
Isaiah The Hope of Healing Isaiah 35 I Introduction II Healing Nature Verses 1-2 III Healing Man, Physically and Spiritually Verses 3-6 IV Healing the Nation Verses 7-10 V Conclusion I Introduction: (John 3:16; Philippians 4:11-13) II Healing Nature: (Psalm 98:7-9)
III Healing Man, Physically and Spiritually: (Revelation 7:17, 21:4; Luke 7:18-23; Acts 3:7-8) IV Healing the Nation: (Psalm 126) V Conclusion: (Zechariah 14:16-17; Psalm 96) Personal Application: Again, this week let us look to the promise of heaven. Consider how this reality can affect us on a day-to-day basis. Prayer for the Week: Let us have the opportunity to direct others towards the hope of heaven. In Jesus name, Amen.