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Joy or Anguish - Isaiah 35-36
Joy or Anguish - Isaiah 35-36
Chapter 35 is usually coupled with chapter 34. There we saw a picture of God's wrath poured out upon the nations, and in particular Edom. Now we see God's blessings poured out upon His people.
Jesus quoted vs. 5-6 in Matt. 11:4f as He described himself to John's disciples. Again, our problem in reading this is that Isaiah uses temporal pictures that would have been important in his day to describe the spiritual benefits that the Messiah (Jesus) would bring.
In particular, salvation blessings are pictured as the provisioning of abundant water. Jesus has the water of life and freely offers all who would to come and 'drink' (see John 4). The way to the Messiah is like a wide and easily traveled road, but it is a Highway of Holiness that no unclean can travel (see 1 Cor. 6:9-11 for example). It will be a place of peace and safety with no danger from wild beasts (vs. 9). God's people will be ransomed and will return to God with joy, gladness, and singing. The Eunuch went on his way rejoicing after finding Jesus (Acts 8). The Philippian brethren were instructed several times to rejoice in the Lord.
That leads us to chapter 36. Really, this chapter should be read with chapter 37-38! That is scheduled for tomorrow, so go ahead and read them all today, or reread this along with those chapters tomorrow! The synopsis of the story in these chapters I wrote yesterday:
The actual narrative of this will be found in chapters 36-38. It is interesting that Sennacherib indeed destroyed Israel to the north, then encompassed Jerusalem. The prism of Sennacherib stated that he "shut up Hezekiah liked a bird in a cage", but it does NOT tell of the end. God protected by having 185,000 Assyrians die in one night. Sennacherib withdraws, returns home, and then he is slain. Meanwhile, Hezekiah continued. Oh that God's people would learn to trust Him according to His promises. This is followed by a picture of the coming Messiah.
God promised and protected Hezekiah. God promised and punished Sennacherib. The Lord offers to either save those who 'believe and are baptized', causing much joy in their lives, or to condemn those who do not trust in Him (see Mark 16:15-16). Which will it be for you: Joy or Anguish?
Hugh DeLong
