Deserts and the wilderness aren’t known for being places with much color or a wide variety of plants. Driving through the desert you’ll see cactus, some scraggly bushes, and tumbleweeds, brown or a dusty green. However, once in a while, after a good rain at just the right time, the desert blooms into a profusion of color. The cactus and other plants blossom with bright and beautiful flowers. A place that seems lacking much life is now alive and brimming with color and song. In our Scripture passage today from the prophet Isaiah, beginning the third week of Advent, Isaiah speaks of a day when the desert will come to life, and God’s blessings will come down upon His people.
The people of Israel were well familiar with deserts and wilderness, as just to the south and to the east of the Jordan River were many miles of barren wilderness. And the farmers there, and everywhere around the world know that if the rains don’t come for a season or two, the once abundant fields will dry up and become barren. Many prophets and spiritual leaders often spoke of how God frequently used drought as a punishment for His people when they sinned and when they turned to other false pagan gods in worship. They also spoke of drought as an analogy of the spiritual condition of those who have strayed away from God and His Word.
Isaiah and many other prophets spoke of God’s coming judgment upon the nation of Israel, when they would go into captivity as punishment for their sins and idolatry. The people would feel as dry, lifeless, and forsaken as a desert in the wilderness. And yet here in chapter 35, Isaiah prophesies of a coming day when the desert will blossom and bloom with life like a garden (vs. 1-2). How our poor, ravaged earth would love to see this happen! When Jesus the Messiah returns on earth the whole world will become a flourishing garden. Lebanon, Carmel, and Sharon, places Isaiah mentioned, were areas by the Mediterranean Sea that were very fertile.
The return of Jesus on earth, and the change it will usher in, will also bring much encouragement to the discouraged (vs. 3-4). Isaiah is comforting us with a great truth in this passage. Christ has come for all. He is alive here and now for us. Jesus will bring us home to be with Him forever. He has made a way, a path to the Father. God will save His people.
Jesus brought not only physical healing to the blind and deaf, which we frequently saw throughout the Gospels, but also spiritually opening of eyes and ears to the truth and salvation of God (vs. 5). He brings a physical and spiritual restoration of all the afflicted ones who turn to Him (vs. 6). Gladness will replace all sadness (vs. 10). There will be a restoration brought to this earth, as well. Isaiah shows this by describing water bursting forth in the desert. Fresh and clean water is a precious commodity, but at that time it will no longer be scarce.
There are roads or highways that go through desert and wilderness areas. If one has to travel through the desert one had best stay on those roads, as it would be very easy to get lost, and that could prove to be dangerous. Also, it is important to be sure that one is on the correct road to get where one needs to, especially in vast open wilderness areas, such as we have in the American Southwest. In a wilderness it is easy to get lost. Isaiah speaks of a highway that will go through the wilderness called the Highway of Holiness (vs. 8-9). This highway is the way believers take. It is found only by following God. Only the redeemed will travel God’s Highway. It is a way God has prepared for His people to travel to His home. He will walk with us, and no harm shall come to the redeemed. The Highway of Holiness is the way leading the redeemed back to the throne of the Messiah when He reigns on earth.
This passage is a beautiful picture of the final kingdom in which God will establish His justice, and destroy all evil. Life will be peaceful, and everything will be made right. When our life seems as dry as the desert floor, remember that God has not forgotten us. Isaiah spoke God’s promise of the coming of Jesus, who is our Source of life. He gives living water to everyone who trusts in Him (John 7:37-39). When we turn to God, He will bring life to our desert.
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