Isaiah 35

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 35:3

Cheer for the faint-hearted. This term may well be applied either to the small remnant left in Judaea, or to the small company that represented the exiled nation on the return to Jerusalem. The cheer comes through the assurance of God's direct and gracious relations with them. Faint-hearted ones can only be steadied by leaning on the Strong One for strength. The prayer of all such should be this, "O Lord, I am oppressed, undertake thou for me ." Introduction may include the reasons for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 35:3-4

The privilege of the strong. In this strenuous and vigorous appeal we have— I. THE COMPREHENSIVE CHARACTER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST . In it are the weak as well as the strong. There is nothing whatever that is narrow about the Christian faith. It is not adapted to any particular class or character. In Jesus Christ there is neither male nor female, Greek nor Jew, cultivated nor uncultivated, bond nor free. And in him there is no favor reserved for any special disposition ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 35:4

Say to them that are of a fearful heart . There will be fearful and trembling hearts always, even among the saints of God. These are to be encouraged and assured that God Will come to their aid, will avenge them of their spiritual enemies, reward their efforts to serve him, and in the end "save" them. He will come and save you ; rather, he will come himself to save yon . There is One alone who can save, and he must do it himself , and, to do it, he must "come" to us. The words were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 35:4

Tremor of spirit. "Say to them that are of a fearful heart." This implies that fear will be a necessary element in our life. All depends on the heart. Fear increases with experience. I. THY GOD REIGNETH TO SALVATION . His power is in this direction. He is God . He is thy God—the God of thy salvation. 1. It is an empire over sin . All its agencies and influences. 2. It is an empire over hearts . Because it is connected with the cross! 3. It is an... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 35:5-6

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened . In the literal sense, our Lord claims these prophecies to himself and his earthly career, when he says to the disciples of John the Baptist, "Go and show John those things which ye do hear and see, the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear" ( Matthew 11:4 , Matthew 11:5 ); but they have doubtless a further spiritual sense, in which they belong to the whole period of his mediatorial kingdom,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 35:5-6

Pre-visions of the Great Physician. These may be poetical figures, designed to present, in an impressive way, a time of great national joy; but we cannot fail to recognize in them foreshadowings of the miracles of healing and of grace that were wrought by the Lord Jesus Christ. The first and general meaning of the passage may be that, "so conspicuous and overpowering would be the interference of God on behalf of his people, those of the most obtuse intellect could not fail to perceive it. So... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 35:6

For in the wilderness shall waters break out . The wilderness of humanity shall be renovated by a large effluence of God's grace (comp. Isaiah 30:25 ; Isaiah 32:2 ; Isaiah 41:18 ; Isaiah 43:19 ; John 7:37 , John 7:38 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 35:7

The parched ground shall become , etc.; rather, the glistening sand . That hot glow of the parched desert soil, which produces the mirage, shall be replaced by a real lake of cool water. Illusive imitations of goodness shall give way to the display of genuine virtues and excellences. In the habitation of dragons ; or, according to some, of jackals—the driest and most desolate of all places. Shall be grass with reeds and rushes ; i.e. "shall be a luxuriant vegetation, like that on... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 35:8

And an highway shall be there, and a way (comp. Isaiah 30:21 ). There shall be a clear "way" marked out in which all shall be bound to walk—a "strait and narrow way" doubtless ( Matthew 7:14 ), but one not readily missed. The way shall be called The way of holiness . It shall be that path through the dangers and difficulties of life which holiness points out and requires. The unclean shall not pass over it. It is tempting to imagine that there is here a reference to the famous chinvat... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 35:8

The Lord's highway. Under the figure of deliverance from Assyria and Babylon the times of Messiah are foreshadowed. From the previous verses we get suggestions of his miracles of healing, and assurances that he will supply grace to men like abundant fountains in thirsty places. The figure of a "way" was even used by Christ himself. He said, "I am the Way"—the way to the Father; the way of salvation; the way of holiness; the way to glory, "bringing many sons unto glory." Spiritualizing the... read more

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