Isaiah 34 – 35

 Isaiah 34 – 35

“These chapters contrast the results of God’s judgement of the nations. Those

who were hostile to His will and purposes would suffer defeat (Ch.34), but those

who are His people, accepting Him and His will, would be redeemed and rejoice

(Ch.35) (Shackleford, 350).”

Chapter 34

As we recall, Edom came from Esau (Gen. 36:8). They lived in the region south and

southwest of the Dead Sea (See map). They were a constant thorn in the flesh of

the Israelites. They denied permission through their territory on the way to the

Promised Land (Num. 20:14-18) and kings warred with them (1 Sam. 14:47; 2

Sam. 8:14). Edom was an enemy (1 Kings 11:14). The prophets spoke of their

violence (Joel 3:19; Amos 1: 11-12) and their destruction (Jer. 49: 7-22; Ezek. 25:

12-14; see also Obad. 8; Mal. 1:4). It is believed by scholars to have been singled

out in chapter 34 to represent any nation that is hostile to God and His people.

V1-4

I. The Lord summoned all people to hear His judgement.

II. Very descriptive details are given in what will be suffered.

III. This imagery (v4) is echoed in Matt. 24:29; Rev. 6:13-14.

V5-7

I. God’s execution of judgement (sword) will descend upon Edom (and any

nation that rebels against God).

II. As the priests’ knives were filled with blood at sacrifices, the Lord’s

sword will also be full of it.

III. Bozrah was the capital of Edom. There will be great slaughter.

V8-15

I. The Lord is longsuffering but there will come a day of great vengeance.

Vengeance as only the Lord can execute.

II. Only some from the animal kingdom will inhabit the land, particularly

desert creatures.

III. The devastation parallels that of Sodom and Gomorrah.

IV. Leadership will disappear.

V16-17

I. Isaiah anticipated that this message would be recorded for future

generations. How do we know that the prophets we have tell the truth?

By testing their veracity. Everything the Lord said through Isaiah’s words

came true.

II. The Edomites survived many invasions but were conquered by the

Nabateans in 4th century BC. Survivors settled south of Judah in what

became known as Idumea, which is the Latin form of Edom. In 70 AD,

they were completely destroyed, ceasing to exist.

“Allness” or “Completeness” of judgement:

I. God’s judgement is for all nations and peoples.

II. God’s judgement is complete and thorough 2 Cor. 5:9-11; Rev. 20:11-15.

III. God’s judgement, considering His longsuffering, is final Matt. 25:46.

Chapter 35

A poem or hymn of praise illustrating redemption of the remnant.

V1

I. The desert or arabah is an arid place most of the year; however, when

rain comes, it transforms into a beautiful area. This region described is

south of Judah and is where Moses led the people to the Promised Land.

II. Clyde M. Woods drew a parallel: “Man’s world without God is a desolate

wilderness, but, just as spring rains bring the desert blooms to brilliant

life, so the Lord’s coming brings joy and hope to man’s world (Woods,

139).”

III. Those who rebel/reject God would see destruction and desolation

(Ch.34), but those “who wait upon the Lord” will see blessing.

V2

I. The land will not just blossom, it will “abundantly” or “profusely”

blossom.

II. Lebanon, Carmel, and Sharon was known for its fertility.

III. Joy, rejoicing, and singing are natural responses to the work of God’s

grace.

IV. The scene here is symbolic of the profound changes produced by God’s

grace.

V3-4

I. The hands of the weak (weak hands, exhausted), the knees of the ones

tottering (feeble knees, feeble), and the “fearful” or “anxious of heart”

can take courage: in His time, God will execute vengeance and

recompense.

II. Only God truly saves!

V5-7

I. “Then...” (at that time) points to the Messianic time of salvation. John

the Baptist sent his disciple to ask Jesus: Matt.11:2-6. The Lord replied

by citing the words of Isaiah 35:5.

II. Scholars agree this is not glory in the physical sense but in the spiritual

sense.

V8

I. God laid a path (roadway/highway) to Him through the coming, death,

burial, and resurrection of Christ. A path the “upright” or “righteous”

will take.

II. The world surrounding us may be a wasteland and desolate, but the

path to God is holy and filled with glory.

III. The “unclean”(tame’) and the “foolish” (‘wil) will not travel upon the

highway. There are some differences in 8b between the translations:

The NASB, NLT, NIV84, ASV indicate that the fool (those who reject God)

will not walk on it; the KJV, NKJV, RSV, ESV presumes an understanding

of those that accept the will of God, but in foolishness, falter; however,

since they follow the way, they repent. Two different ways to look at the

Hebrew and the Greek, either will be correct.

V9-10

I. The redeemed (g’ulim) and ransomed of the Lord (p’duyey YHWH) are

delivered!

II. Both are used as nouns. Do we call ourselves the redeemed and the

ransomed?

III. When we recognize and accept that redemption and that we have been

ransomed, joy, gladness, everlasting joy will be the response!

Questions

1. Who does God call at the beginning of Chapter 34?

2. How serious is the wording in v2-7? Give some examples.

3. What cities parallel the destruction in v9-10?

4. What kind of animals shall inhabit the land?

5. When this destruction occurs, how long will it last?

6. Who is it that will be destroyed? This has two right answers.

7. In chapter 35, do we see the results of God’s grace? How?

8. Does God express comfort to the weak, feeble, and anxious of heart in v3-

4? What is the promise given?

9. What is the promise to the righteous and holy in V8-10?

10. Isaiah uses redeemed and ransomed as nouns, why is this significant?

Review 1-35

We are introduced to Isaiah, who has humility and tells the Lord in answering His

question, “Here am I, send me.”

Isaiah is a prophet predominately to the people of Judah, but also to the northern

kingdom.

God tells the people that every group of them, both men and women, are in

rebellion against Him. From the leadership politically, to the leadership religiously,

to the lowest of the low, they have been in rebellion.

Despite their rebellion, there will be those that repent and obey. This repentance

and obedience will result in a remnant bringing the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

God calls His people and the nations, to repent, repeatedly.

We see the longsuffering of God.

The point is made that God is sovereign over all.

He is the source of strength and salvation. That salvation: ultimately fulfilled in Christ Jesus.