July 24

Isaiah 35-36 (biblegateway.com)

A Highway in the Wilderness and a Test of Faith: Hope and Crisis

Isaiah 35-36 presents a striking contrast between a vision of future glory and a present moment of crisis. Chapter 35 promises restoration when the desert will bloom, the weak will be strengthened, and a “Highway of Holiness” will lead God’s redeemed people home with singing and joy. It’s a glimpse of what God intends for His people after judgment: not destruction, but renewal. Then in chapter 36, we’re abruptly brought back to the gritty reality of Judah’s political and military crisis. The mighty Assyrian empire threatens Jerusalem, and their spokesman (the Rabshakeh) mocks not just the people, but their faith in God. What will Judah trust in: their own strength, foreign alliances, or the promises of the Lord?

Isaiah 35 – The Glory of God’s Restoration

In chapters 1–34, Isaiah has delivered a sweeping message of judgment upon all nations, including Israel and Judah, for their rejection of God. While there have been occasional glimpses of hope and restoration for a faithful remnant, the dominant tone has been one of wrath, judgment, and destruction. Now, in a dramatic shift, Isaiah presents a vision of beauty and encouragement. Just as God’s justice is complete and uncompromising in confronting sin, His mercy is equally abundant for those who turn to Him in faith. His perfect moral character demands judgment against sin, but that same perfection also drives His deep love for creation, resulting in grace for those who trust in Him, ultimately fulfilled in Christ.

Isaiah 35 paints a stunning picture of the final kingdom where God will establish justice and eradicate evil. It is a vision of renewed creation, where the land itself rejoices and flourishes in response to God’s redemption (v. 1). Places once desolate now bloom abundantly, reflecting the glory of Lebanon, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon, symbols of fertility and beauty (v. 2). This is more than a geographical renewal; it is a spiritual transformation, revealing the majesty of the Lord as He restores what was once broken.

In verses 3–4, Isaiah encourages the weak and fearful: “Strengthen the weak hands… Say to those with anxious hearts, ‘Be strong; fear not!’” The coming of God will bring vengeance and justice for evil, but also salvation and deliverance for His own (v. 4). This echoes future hope in the Messiah, who comes not just to punish the wicked, but to redeem the humble and restore the faithful.

The transformative power of God’s arrival is vividly portrayed in verses 5–6, where the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame leap, and the mute sing for joy. These are physical miracles, but also metaphors for spiritual renewal—those who were once spiritually blind and deaf are now awakened to God’s truth. The salvation that God will provide includes both spiritual restoration and physical healing, as was first demonstrated repeatedly in Jesus’ own ministry and as will be fully realized in the resurrection bodies of God’s people when Christ returns.

Water springs forth in the desert (v. 6), and burning sand becomes a pool (v. 7). These images mirror John 7:37-38, where Jesus speaks of living water flowing from those who believe in Him. This is not mere imagery but a promise of real, soul-deep renewal.

The chapter concludes with a powerful image in verses 8–10: a “highway of holiness” on which the redeemed travel. This road is safe from unclean things and danger; it is a path for those made righteous by God. The imagery of a secure, joyful pilgrimage stands in sharp contrast to the path of destruction described in earlier chapters. The ransomed of the Lord return to Zion with singing, crowned with everlasting joy, and sorrow and sighing flee away (v. 10). This is a picture of the final restoration, ultimately fulfilled in the New Jerusalem, where there will be no more death or mourning.

Isaiah 35 offers a vibrant and hope-filled contrast to the preceding judgment, presenting a vision of God’s redemptive plan that encompasses both physical and spiritual renewal. The chapter begins with images of the desert blossoming, symbolizing the transformation that comes when God intervenes. It is a promise of restoration for those who have been broken and fearful, as God Himself comes to save, strengthen, and encourage His people. At the heart of this renewal is the “highway of holiness,” a path reserved for the redeemed, where God leads His people safely into everlasting joy and gladness.

The application is clear and timely. Isaiah 35 calls believers to live with hope in God’s promise, even when surrounded by spiritual drought or difficulty. God is not absent. He is actively working to bring healing, strength, and joy. The challenge for us is to walk faithfully on His path, leaning into His strength rather than our own. This chapter reminds us that for those who belong to the Lord, the journey ends not in despair, but in joy.

Isaiah 36 – Assyria Threatens Judah

Isaiah 36 marks a shift from prophetic oracles to historical narrative, mirroring events also recorded in 2 Kings 18:13-37 and 2 Chronicles 32:1-19. In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah’s reign (v. 1), the mighty Assyrian empire, led by King Sennacherib, invades Judah and captures its fortified cities. Only Jerusalem remains. Sennacherib sends his field commander, the Rabshakeh, to deliver a psychological and theological assault against the people of Jerusalem (v. 2).

The Rabshakeh positions himself at the conduit of the upper pool, an ironic and significant location also mentioned in Isaiah 7:3, where Isaiah previously called King Ahaz to trust in God rather than foreign alliances. Now, at the same location, the Rabshakeh mocks Hezekiah’s trust in God, framing it as foolishness. He questions the reliability of both Egypt and even the Lord Himself (v. 4-7). He boldly claims that no god of any nation has been able to stop Assyria, implying that the God of Israel will fare no better (v. 18-20). This is not only political bluster but a direct challenge to Yahweh’s sovereignty.

The Assyrian envoy manipulates with fear, urging the people to reject Hezekiah’s leadership and surrender, offering them peace and prosperity in exchange for compliance (v. 16–17). He speaks in Hebrew, not Aramaic, to ensure that the common people can understand and be frightened, employing a psychological tactic (v. 11–12). Despite the pressure, the people remain silent, obeying Hezekiah’s command not to respond (v. 21), demonstrating both discipline and faith.

The chapter ends with Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah, Hezekiah’s officials, returning to the king with torn clothes, a sign of mourning and distress (v. 22). They report the blasphemous message of Assyria, setting the stage for Hezekiah’s faithful response in the next chapter.

Isaiah 36 presents a dramatic confrontation between worldly arrogance and divine authority. The chapter contrasts faith in God with faith in human power, as seen in the Rabshakeh, the Assyrian envoy, who embodies the spirit of human pride that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. His mocking of the Lord is more than a political insult; it is a direct spiritual challenge, questioning whether God can deliver His people. Yet, in the face of this blasphemy and intimidation, the people of Judah remain silent, exhibiting a striking act of obedience and trust. Their restraint reflects the kind of faith that waits quietly for God’s deliverance.

This moment anticipates New Testament parallels. The Rabshakeh’s taunts echo Satan’s tactics in Matthew 4:1-11, where Jesus is tempted to question God’s provision and power. Like the people of Judah, and even more so, Jesus remains silent before His accusers (Matthew 27:12-14), entrusting Himself fully to the Father’s will. The field commander’s speech mirrors the world’s ongoing mockery of faith, but Jesus reminds us not to fear those who can harm the body but to fear God alone (Matthew 10:28).

The application is both timeless and timely. Isaiah 36 challenges us to ask where our confidence lies when facing cultural pressure, fear, or the temptation to compromise. Do we look to worldly solutions or stand in humble silence, waiting on the Lord? The question posed by the Assyrians still echoes today: “Can your God really save you?” In those moments, we are called to trust, to remain faithful, and to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord (Exodus 14:13-14).

Conclusion

Isaiah 35–36 reminds us that the journey of faith always includes promises and pressure. God gives His people a clear hope of restoration, but they must trust Him when circumstances look dire. The mockery from Assyria was real and intimidating, but so was the word of the Lord. In our lives, we may also walk between beauty and battle: rejoicing in God’s promises while facing real challenges. The call is the same: strengthen weak hands, make firm feeble knees, and trust the One who can turn deserts into gardens. When crisis comes, we don’t need to fear—we need to remember what He has promised.