Isaiah 35:1-7 – Jesus is God’s answer to all our needs

In contrast to what had been described in chapter 34 for those opposers of God and His people, chapter 35 gives us a glorious scene for the people whose hope rested in God. In Isaiah 34, we saw how God’s judgment had turned good land into barren and wasteland. Now in Isaiah 35, the opposite happened to the wilderness and desert. They bloomed, signifying God’s redemptive work. Lebanon, Carmel, and Sharon would all be blooming again. Lebanon was known for her cedar, Carmel her oaks, and Sharon her flowers. Because of the glory of the Lord, the wilderness and desert would experience a fresh burst of life and joy. God would turn up and miraculously bring life and joy to this stretch of otherwise barren land. That is the power of God’s glorious appearance.   

In verses 3-7, for those who could understand and could make sense of Isaiah’s prophecies, the prophet exhorted them to encourage those who were disheartened, feeble, and anxious. While God would come executing vengeance, He however would save His people. Interestingly, In Matthew 11:1-6, when the disciples of John the Baptist who were sent to Jesus to inquire if He was the Messiah, the Lord Jesus quoted verse 5 and part of verse 6 in response to their questions. One aspect that would authenticate His work as the Messiah would be His healing ministry. In quoting these verses, Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah God had sent. He would bring physical healing to the sick. We all know that Jesus came to fulfill this prophecy. In Luke 4:18-19, He proclaimed saying:  

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He anointed Me to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent Me to proclaim release to captives,
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set free those who are oppressed,
To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”

   

In the second half of verse 6 as well as verse 7 of Isaiah 35, we are told that “waters shall burst forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.” What Isaiah is saying is this: not only would God bring physical healing but that He would also provide spiritual refreshment. The abundance of waters God would supply speaks of spiritual refreshment. Jesus is still the water of life to our thirsty soul.  

 

God’s people are indeed His privileged people. In knowing Jesus the Messiah, we are connected to the rich supply of God’s physical and spiritual provisions. Not only can we experience healing, but we can also receive His refreshing and rejuvenating spiritual life. What is our need today? Physical healing? Spiritual refreshment and strengthening? Jesus is God’s answer to our physical and spiritual needs. What a privilege! Hallelujah! What a Saviour!