Tyndale Open Study NotesIsaiah 35

God will come to defend and change his people. They will no longer be deaf, blind, or lame (see Isaiah 6:10). Instead, they will be pure, holy, and saved.

God's land would become a barren wasteland, both spiritually and physically. However, God would transform the desert into a garden (see also Isaiah 32:15), bringing his people from exile to glory.

• Lebanon … Carmel … Sharon: There will be a reversal of earlier judgments (see Isaiah 2:13; 10:34; 29:17; 33:9).

• glory … splendor of our God: See also Isaiah 2:3; 40:5.

Limp hands and feeble knees express discouragement and anxiety (see Hebrews 12:12).

• do not fear!: The Lord assures his people of his presence and purpose (see also Isaiah 7:4; 10:24; 40:9; 43:1; 44:2; 54:4).

• The main message of the good news is that God is coming to save his people (see also Isaiah 40:9; 52:7; 62:11). God's arrival brings spiritual change and rescue from enemies.

eyes … ears: There will be a transformation from spiritual blindness and deafness to understanding and knowing God (Isaiah 6:10; 29:18; 32:3; 42:7; see also Luke 7:22; Acts 26:18).

the lame … and the mute: This promise shows that God will remove all disabilities. He will bring healing and wholeness (see Matthew 11:5; 12:22; Mark 7:37; Acts 3:7–8).

• The image of the highway recalls Israel’s crossing through the Red Sea (Isaiah 51:10).

• only those who walk: This means that only those who follow God will walk on his holy path. God's goal in salvation is for humans to share his character and act like him (see Ephesians 5:1–2; 1 Peter 2:21).

Zion: The prophecy goes beyond Israel's return from exile to the final establishment of God's kingdom on earth. This kingdom will be full of joy and happiness, with no sorrow or mourning (see also Isaiah 25:7; 51:11; Revelation 21:4).