Isaiah 35:8-10

8-10. And they shall be led home to Zion.

A highway shall be there, and a way The one a cast up, well-prepared road, in distinction from the faint camel tracks of the desert, and the other a more general term characterizing the whole thoroughfare.

Way of holiness No impure person, either of desert Bedouins or of the unreformed Israelites, shall travel over it. Such will have no desire to do so, for it is a holy way. Only the redeemed will be found thereon, travelling as pilgrims to the better land.

Wayfaring men Any redeemed ones walking this road.

Though fools Though ever so humble, ever so wanting in the world’s esteem, shall not go astray while on this blessed thoroughfare.

No lion… there On this elevated pathway no beast of prey nor ravenous adversary can harass the joyous traveller. He, unlike the lone desert wanderer, is high and secure above this trouble. Lions abounded in the regions adjacent to Palestine, and the sacred writers often referred to them as objects of dread and alarm. The scene of these glorious times is yet in this world. The Church is militant: yet, under Messianic rule, triumphant. Redeemed ones ever walk in this highway “of holiness.” After dreary trials and captivities, they shall come out with shoutings, and return to the Lord’s courts in Zion with the joy of permanent victoriousness. This joy is in their aspect upon their heads. It lights up the countenance. Possibly the allusion is to the anointing of the head in a time of joy, in contrast with ashes on the head in a time of mourning; or possibly, to the wearing of chaplets on the head in times of festivity.

Sorrow and sighing shall flee away The enemies of God shall no more give trouble, they shall be scattered and destroyed; that is, evil shall diminish in power till, in the full coming of the Messiah, at the last days, it shall be no more felt. In this closing prophetic summary all the Gospel promises are included and summed up in that of complete redemption.

In the foregoing portions of prophecy the people of God were seen to be in danger respectively from Syrians, Egyptians, Assyrians, Moabites, Edomites, and Babylonians; and from each and all their deliverance was achieved, and their enemies destroyed as predicted. Now the conclusion is, that all God’s foes shall ultimately and forever be put to naught. The rule of Messiah shall be universal and eternal; and security and joy shall come upon God’s ransomed ones. A close most fitting to this prophetic series.