Read & explore together
The Glory of Zion
Isaiah 35 gives a hopeful prophecy about change. Dry places become full of life, frightened people are told to be strong, and Yahweh’s rescued people travel safely to Zion with lasting joy.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
This passage is written as prophecy and teaching. It speaks about wilderness, weak and fearful people, healing, a holy road, and Yahweh’s ransomed ones returning to Zion. The movement of the passage goes from dry land and fear to rescue, safety, and joy.
Isaiah 35:1–10Main takeaway
Isaiah 35 teaches that Yahweh will bring rescue, holiness, safety, and joy to his people.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The desert changes and shows God’s gloryThe passage begins with wilderness, dry land, and desert, but these empty places are pictured as glad and blossoming.
Explanation
The passage begins with wilderness, dry land, and desert, but these empty places are pictured as glad and blossoming. Lebanon, Carmel, and Sharon are named as places of splendour, showing rich beauty. The main point is not the land by itself, but that people will see Yahweh’s glory and the excellence of God.
02Fearful people are told to be strongThe prophecy then turns to people with weak hands, feeble knees, and fearful hearts. They are told to be strong and not afraid.
Explanation
The prophecy then turns to people with weak hands, feeble knees, and fearful hearts. They are told to be strong and not afraid. The reason given is that God will come. The verse speaks of vengeance and retribution, and also plainly says, ‘He will come and save you.’
03People and places are renewedNext, the passage describes blind eyes opened, deaf ears unstopped, the lame leaping, and the mute singing.
Explanation
Next, the passage describes blind eyes opened, deaf ears unstopped, the lame leaping, and the mute singing. At the same time, water breaks out in the wilderness and streams appear in the desert. The prophecy joins personal restoration with the renewal of dry, thirsty land.
04A holy road leads the redeemed to joyFinally, Isaiah describes a highway called ‘The Holy Way’. It is marked by cleanness and safety.
Explanation
Finally, Isaiah describes a highway called ‘The Holy Way’. It is marked by cleanness and safety. The unclean and wicked fools do not go there, and dangerous animals are absent. Instead, the redeemed and Yahweh’s ransomed ones walk there, return to Zion singing, and receive everlasting joy as sorrow flees.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What changes in the first part of the passage show that this is a picture of great renewal?
Look for the movement from wilderness and dry land to blossoming, singing, and seeing Yahweh’s glory.
02Why are weak and fearful people told not to be afraid?
The answer is given directly in the message spoken to them about what God will do.
03What makes the Holy Way different from an ordinary road?
Notice who may travel there, what is not found there, and how the journey ends.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Isaiah 35:1–10
1The wilderness and the dry land will be glad. The desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose.
2It will blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing. Lebanon’s glory will be given to it, the excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They will see Yahweh’s glory, the excellence of our God.
3Strengthen the weak hands, and make the feeble knees firm.
4Tell those who have a fearful heart, “Be strong! Don’t be afraid! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, God’s retribution. He will come and save you.
5Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped.
6Then the lame man will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing; for waters will break out in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.
7The burning sand will become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water. Grass with reeds and rushes will be in the habitation of jackals, where they lay.
8A highway will be there, a road, and it will be called “The Holy Way”. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it will be for those who walk in the Way. Wicked fools shall not go there.
9No lion will be there, nor will any ravenous animal go up on it. They will not be found there; but the redeemed will walk there.
10Then Yahweh’s ransomed ones will return, and come with singing to Zion; and everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”