Isaiah 35

Notes

Ver. 1-4. These fearful judgments shall issue in the great comfort of the church. Multitudes of barren, destitute, bewildered, and ungodly sinners shall be converted to Christ; and by beholding his glories revealed in the gospel shall abound in comfort, holiness, and virtue. The most weak and timorous shall be strengthened and encouraged by the views of their incarnate God and all-conquering and saving Redeemer. 5-7. While multitudes of benevolent miracles on the bodies of men are wrought by Jesus Christ and his apostles, multitudes of sinners shall be savingly enlightened, healed, strengthened, and comforted; and by the influence of the preached gospel, and the Spirit of God poured forth upon them, shall vast numbers of saints, and of good works, be found in places which had been the most noted habitations of wickedness and devils. 8-10. Jesus Christ, as the divinely appointed mean of salvation and holiness, and of all our access to God, shall be exhibited in the gospel; in whom as their way, not the unclean and obstinate sinners, but justified and regenerated men, however weak, shall walk, without erring from it. None can walk therein while under the reign of their unruly and mischievous lusts; nor can earth or hell hurt those believing ones who walk in it: but in attending Christ's ordinances, they shall at last arrive at the complete and everlasting happiness of the heavenly state.

Ver. 1. Wilderness. The emblem of the church, Re. 12. 14.—Shall be glad for them. For whom? Not for the creatures enumerated in the foregoing chapter, but for the 'weak hands, the feeble knees, the fearful hearts, the blind, and the lame, and the dumb,' described ver. 3-6. C.

Ver. 7. The parched ground. 'The glowing sand,' on which, by a peculiar action of the sun's rays, lakes of water are often so vividly represented as to tantalize the traveller with a vain hope, which the prophet declares will yet be spiritually realized. See Shaw's Travels.—All the curses pronounced upon Idumea, and realized upon it, as the commencement and specimen of the prophetic judgments, shall be reversed and replaced by the contrary mercies and blessings. C.

Ver. 8. A highway. Free access and passage denied in ch. 34. 10, the emblems of that spiritual intercourse and communion which God will yet promote amongst all churches and nations. C.

Reflections.—God can quickly make the most amazing changes on countries and nations, either in mercy or in judgment. Glorious things are said of our New Testament church, especially in her apostolical and millennial periods. And her extent, comfort, light, life, holiness, and safety inconceivably exceeds that of the old. Believing truly in Jesus Christ's person and fulness effectually quicken, fructify, and comfort the heart. And an assured faith of his approach is sufficient to silence every fear and doubt. How wise are God's bestowals of his Word and Spirit! and how effectual for the illumination, quickening, encouragement, strengthening, and sanctification of men! The grace of the gospel teaches men to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts; and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in his present world. Unspeakable is the joy and transcendent the happiness of ransomed men. Certainly and quickly that holiness, which is now begun in them, is graciously rewarded, and their sanctified sorrows are balanced with the everlasting joys of the Lord.