Matthew Henry Commentary Isaiah 35:5-10

"Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing; for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the glowing sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water: in the habitation of jackals, where they lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but is shall be for [the redeemed]: the wayfaring men, yea fools, shall not err [therein]. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast go up thereon; they shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk [there]: and the ransomed of Jehovah shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads: they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." — Isaiah 35:5-10 (ASV)

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.