From the very beginning of Isaiah’s preaching, he has emphasized that mankind’s fundamental problem (even that of God’s own people, Israel and Judah) is sin: iniquity, evildoing, lawlessness, refusing to hear and submit to God’s law (1:2-6).
Isaiah 34 & 35 fit together. In chapter 34, we have God’s judgment, yet again. In chapter 35, we have (again) a promise of His coming blessing. This time, this blessing is portrayed in terms of holiness. That’s what Israel needs. They need to be right with God.
But, that holiness is open to more than just Israel. It is also open to the nations. Observe 34:1-4. Isaiah draws attention from the nations of the world, the neighbors of his people Israel: nations, peoples, earth, world. Consider the commands Isaiah gives the nations:
1. Come near to hear (obey);
2. Listen
3. Hear (obey)
“These paragraphs contain many imperative verbs that exhort the audience to change its worldview” (Smith, 578). In chapter 35, Isaiah is going to talk about the “Highway of Holiness.” Here, Isaiah is calling on all the nations to listen and learn about that highway that leads to holiness, that leads to righteousness, that leads to redemption. Yes, this highway is open to all the nations, all the peoples, the whole earth, the entire world.
In looking at the positive side of God’s nature, in chapter 35, Isaiah continues with his “desert” theme he has used in chapter 34 but here, he portrays the desert as being revived and brought to life. The desert and the wilderness will be glad. Clearly inanimate objects cannot be glad. The desert and wilderness are metaphors for God’s people, for the remnant, the faithful.
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It is in this context, that Isaiah foresees the opening of the “Highway of Holiness” (35:8). We’ll talk more about the “highway” next Tuesday. Let’s think now about “holiness.” The word “holy” is found 60 times in Isaiah, almost once per chapter. “Holiness” is found only here. A highway will stretch through this new land, blessed by the God of heaven and it will be a highway that leads to holiness.
Remember the evildoers and those who work iniquity that Isaiah criticized back in 1:4? They can’t go. The unclean cannot travel on the highway of holiness. The last time the word “unclean” was used in Isaiah, it was in 6:5 where Isaiah pictures himself as of “unclean lips.” These are not men who are unclean because they ate unclean animals; this is a description of their spiritual lives.
The highway of holiness will be for him who walks on the way of holiness, who follows the way of holiness. Isaiah will tell us in just a few chapters, chapter 40, that someone is going to come to prepare that way. He will clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness. He will make smooth in the desert a highway for our God (40:3). Matthew (3:3), Mark (1:3); Luke (3:4-6); John (1:23) and Jesus Himself (Matthew 11:14) are unanimous that the one who would prepare that way is John the baptizer. Without a doubt, John came to prepare the way for Jesus.
Isaiah is preparing his people for the coming of the One who would provide holiness. Through his preaching, he is paving the way to holiness, leading Israel to Jesus Christ.
–Paul Holland
