ISAIAH 35

“The somber picture of death and destruction in chapter 34 is transformed into one of vibrant life and rejoicing in chapter 35. (Wolf, Interpreting Isaiah) Blenkinsopp (Isaiah 1-39) details the step-by-step contrasts between the fate of Edom in both these chapters. As an exercise, see how many you can identify.

Chapter 35 has been called “a poetic oracle of glowing joy.” (International Bible Commentary) Oswalt (The Book of Isaiah 1-39) identifies the author of the reversal as God “the author of all joy.” Blenkinsopp titles this chapter “The Final Restoration of Judah.”

verses 1-2 Definitely not the traditional “rose of Sharon.” Probably a crocus or daffodil. Asphodel or narcissus are two more possibilities. The only other occurrence in the OT is in Song of Songs 2:1.

“[T]he desert represents the total world: physical, social and spiritual, which, human arrogance having destroyed, God in his grace can make to bloom.” (Oswalt, The Book of Isaiah)

verse 2 “God wants to show his glory with his creation, but any attempt by the creatures to produce their own glory will end in disaster.” (Oswalt)

verse 3   Hebrews 12:12 treats this verse as a future hope for Christians.

verses 3-4 This is an echo of God's words in Joshua 1:9.

verses 3-6 There are six body parts mentioned here. See Isaiah 32:3-4.

verse 4 The coming of the LORD here is parallel to the description of the second coming of Christ described in Isaiah 62:11.

verse 5 As elsewhere in Scripture, “blind and deaf” may describe a spiritual condition as well as a physical one.

verses 6b-7 The desert is now abundant in life-giving water.

verses 7-8 There are many problems with the Hebrew text here. It is best to consult several English translations.

verse 10  This is quoted in Isaiah 51:11.

verses 8-10 This is similar to the roads that connected temples in Egypt. They were sometimes restricted to those who were ceremonially pure. God's road can only be used by the redeemed, (Wolf)

It is described as being free from all dangers, in contrast to the other roads of the time.

There is ambiguity as to who will use this road: pilgrims on their way to a Jerusalem festival, exiles returning from other lands, or those during a millennial reign. Or perhaps it represents a spiritual return.