Matthew Henry Commentary Isaiah 35

Judea was prosperous in the days of Hezekiah, but the kingdom of Christ is the great subject intended. Converting grace causes the soul that was a wilderness to rejoice with joy and singing, and to blossom abundantly.

The feeble and faint-hearted are encouraged. This is the design of the gospel.

Fear is weakening. The more we strive against it, the stronger we are, both for doing and suffering. And He who says to us, 'Be strong,' has laid help for us upon One who is mighty.

Assurance is given of the approach of Messiah, to take vengeance on the powers of darkness and to recompense with abundant comforts those who mourn in Zion. He will come and save.

He will come again at the end of time to punish those who have troubled His people, and to give those who were troubled such rest as will be a full reward for all their troubles.

When Christ comes to set up His kingdom in the world, then wonders, great wonders, will be performed on human souls. By the word and Spirit of Christ, the spiritually blind will be enlightened, and those deaf to the calls of God will be made to hear them readily. Those unable to do anything good will, by divine grace, be made active in it.

Those who did not know how to speak of God or to God will have their lips opened to declare His praise. When the Holy Spirit comes upon the Gentiles who hear the word, then the fountains of life will be opened. Most of the earth is still a desert; neither means of grace, spiritual worshippers, nor fruits of holiness are to be found in it.

But the way of religion and godliness will be laid open. The way of holiness is the way of God's commandment; it is the good old way. And the way to heaven is a plain way. Those who know little, and are unlearned, will be kept from missing the road.

It will be a safe way; nothing can do them any real harm. Christ, the way to God, will be clearly made known; and the way of a believer's duty will be plainly marked out.

Let us then go forward cheerfully, assured that the end of this way will be everlasting joy and rest for the soul. Those who by faith are made citizens of the gospel Zion rejoice in Christ Jesus, and their sorrows and sighs are made to flee away by divine consolations.

Thus these prophecies conclude. Our joyful hopes and prospects of eternal life should swallow up all the sorrows and all the joys of this present time.

But what good is it to admire the excellence of God's word, unless we can call its precious promises our own? Do we love God, not only as our Creator, but because He gave His only Son to die for us?

And are we walking in the ways of holiness? Let us examine ourselves by such plain questions, rather than spend time on things that may be curious and amusing, but are unprofitable.