The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Isaiah 35:3-5,
"Strengthen the feeble hands,
steady the knees that give way;
say to those with fearful hearts,
'Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
he will come to save you.'
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped."
As is often in Isaiah's prophecies, not only is coming judgment proclaimed, but also coming blessings of the Lord. Here we see this clearly.
While this language can certainly be seen as spiritual salvation following the Lord's retribution against evil, spiritual eyes being opened and spiritual ears now hearing, it is interesting to read a passage from Jesus himself who appears to allude (possibly) to this passage in Isaiah:
"When the men came to Jesus, they said, 'John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?"' At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, 'Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.'" Luke 7:20-22.
"Strengthen the feeble hands,
steady the knees that give way;
say to those with fearful hearts,
'Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
he will come to save you.'
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped."
As is often in Isaiah's prophecies, not only is coming judgment proclaimed, but also coming blessings of the Lord. Here we see this clearly.
While this language can certainly be seen as spiritual salvation following the Lord's retribution against evil, spiritual eyes being opened and spiritual ears now hearing, it is interesting to read a passage from Jesus himself who appears to allude (possibly) to this passage in Isaiah:
"When the men came to Jesus, they said, 'John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?"' At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, 'Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.'" Luke 7:20-22.
It isn't a quote from Isaiah 35, but the allusion is there. When Jesus spoke he was quite literal about the healing and the proclamation of the good news.
In light of that, how would you understand Isaiah 35:3-5? Figurative or literal? Or, do you think the two passages have nothing to do with each other?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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