The Highway of Holiness (Isaiah 35:1-10)

• 35:1-2 – Transformation of the wilderness
  • Contrast with the destruction of Isaiah 34
  • Nature rejoices with man at repentance
• 35:3-4 – Encouragement for the weak
  • Everyone needs encouragement at times (Luke 22:32; Romans 15:1-2; Gal. 6:1-2; Acts 14:21-22)
  • Paraphrased in Hebrews 12:12-13
  • “Do not be afraid!” (Genesis 15:1; Exodus 14:13; Deuteronomy 20:1-3; Joshua 1:9; 2 Kings 1:15; Nehemiah 4:14; etc.)
  • New Testament encouragement (Philippians 4:6; 2 Timothy 1:7; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9)
• 35:5-7 – Physical and spiritual healing
  • Jesus’ answer to John the Baptist (Matthew 11:3-5)
  • Spiritual application (Revelation 22:17)
• 35:8-10 – The Highway of Holiness
  • The way is narrow and difficult (Matthew 7:13-14)
  • Jesus is the ONLY way (John 14:6)
  • “The Way” is the church (Acts 9:2; 19:9,23; 22:4; 24:14,22; cf. Acts 16:17, 18:25-26)
  • “Fool” refers to one who is evil, not just uneducated (Proverbs 1:7; 24:7; 10:8,10; 14:3; 12:15; 15:5; 20:3; 27:22; 29:9; Isaiah 19:11; Jeremiah 4:22; Hosea 9:7; Micah 2:11)
  • The redeemed and the ransomed obtain “joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Acts 2:41,46; 8:8,39; 16:34)

Discussion Questions

1. What are some of the contrasts laid out in this chapter?

2. Why is encouragement of the weak needed?

3. What connotation does the word “fool” bring with it in the Old Testament?

4. Since “no lion…nor…ravenous beast” will be on the Highway of Holiness, does that mean the Christian will not face difficulty in life?

5. Who will experience the “joy and gladness” of verse 10?