Isaiah 35 DBY
Summary: In sharp contrast to Edom's desolation, this chapter promises the wilderness and dry land will be glad, blossoming abundantly like the rose (crocus), given the glory of Lebanon and the excellence of Carmel and Sharon, so that all will see the glory of the LORD. The weak, fearful, and feeble are told to be strong, for God will come with vengeance and recompense to save them, and then "the eyes of the blind shall be opened... the lame man shall leap as an hart... the tongue of the dumb sing" (v. 5-6), with waters breaking out in the desert. A highway called "The way of holiness" will run through the transformed wilderness, safe from lions and ravenous beasts, reserved for the redeemed to walk. The chapter closes with the ransomed of the LORD returning to Zion with everlasting joy upon their heads, sorrow and sighing fled away.
1The wilderness and the dry land shall be gladdened; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.
2It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice even with joy and shouting: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of Jehovah, the excellency of ourGod.
3Strengthen the weak hands and confirm the tottering knees.
4Say to them that are of a timid heart, Be strong, fear not; behold yourGod: vengeance cometh, the recompense ofGod! He will come himself, and save you.
5Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf be unstopped;
6then shall the lame [man] leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and torrents in the desert.
7And the mirage shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of wild dogs, where they lay down, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.
8And a highway shall be there and a way, and it shall be called, The way of holiness: the unclean shall not pass through it; but it shall be for these. Those that go [this] way — even fools, — shall not err [therein].
9No lion shall be there, nor shall ravenous beast go up thereon, nor be found there; but the redeemed shall walk [there].
10And the ransomed of Jehovah shall return, and come to Zion with singing; and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads: they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Also read this chapter in: KJV, WEB, ASV, WYC, GNV, WBT, YLT