And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
–Isaiah 35:8
Isaiah 35 begins in a desert wilderness where there is rejoicing. Deserts and wildernesses are not known as places of rejoicing; they are dry and miserable, mostly untraveled and dangerous. But as Isaiah continues, he says the wilderness will blossom like a rose—even “blossom abundantly,” making the wilderness glorious like Lebanon, Carmel, and Sharon (v. 2).
This must be a mirage. What would make this wilderness blossom? The sight of the glory of the Lord and the excellency of our God. Without the Lord our God, it would be a wilderness of hopelessness and sin, but now, there is rejoicing in hope. “Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you” (vv. 3–4). In this wilderness of death, there is also healing for our deadly disease. “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert” (vv. 5–6). God’s poor and afflicted people, born in the wilderness, see God’s promises fulfilled in the promised seed, Jesus Christ. This is the seed that makes this wilderness blossom abundantly.
“And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein” (v. 8). Not everyone in this wilderness is aware of the blossoming and rejoicing because they do not see the glory of Christ Jesus and His way. God calls them fools. They are happy in their misery and have no desire to leave. His highway is a highway of holiness; sin must be left behind. Jesus, the Son of God, was sent into the wilderness of this world to seek and to save His people. This is God’s sovereign decree: out of sheer unmitigated grace He opens the eyes of the blind, makes the lame walk, and makes the mute sing. “For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name” (Ps. 86:10–11).
But the best is yet to come. The highway of holiness that they travel is safe, despite the corruption in and around them. It is the highway God prepared for His people. It is cemented in the blood of their Savior, Jesus Christ; it will admit none but the redeemed, with the Good Shepherd, their Lord and Savior, leading them through all the dangers to their eternal home with Him forever.
“No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: and the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (vv. 9–10). One view of Jesus ruins them for this world’s so-called joy; they cannot live without Him. Nothing else will do, not even all the love of friends and family. It is Jesus and Jesus alone!
By all whom Thou hast made be praise and worship paid
Thro’ earth abroad; Thy Name be glorified, There is none great beside,
Matchless Thy works abide, for Thou art God.
Help me Thy will to do, Thy truth I will pursue,
Teach me to fear; give me the single eye Thy Name to glorify,
O Lord, my God Most high, with heart sincere.
How great Thy love appears that bade death’s gloomy fears
No more dismay; O God to anger slow, save me from ev’ry foe,
Thy lovingkindness show, Thy truth display.
Show me Thy mercy true, Thy servant’s strength renew,
Deliv’rance send; to me Thy goodness show, Thy comfort Lord, bestow;
Let those that hate me know Thou art my friend.
Psalter 236 (Psalm 86)
Mr. Cornelius VanKempen known as Case, has been married to Susan for fifty-nine blessed years. They attend and are members of Heritage Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, MI.