The Judgment Of God And The Salvation Of Man (34:1-35:10)
Neal Pollard
This brief section of Isaiah, two short chapters, is devoted to the judgment of the nations and the future salvation to be enjoyed those who are attuned to the glory and majesty of the Lord (35:2). God had determined to judge the nations for their sins (34:1-15), and He follows it up by saying that based on His character His people could trust that it would occur (34:16-17)!
God lays out His case for why He is angry with the nations. In essence, it is in recompense and vengeance for His people (34:8). His concern is for their preservation and salvation (35:1ff).
God demonstrates what His fury against the nations would look like. The dominant feature of chapter 34 is a graphic depiction of the slaughter that would come from His heavenly sword of retribution (notice the repeated reference to the sword and blood in the heart of chapter 34. He foretells the devastation these heathen, rebellious nations would experience (34:3,6,9-10) and the desolation that would follow as animals inhabit the places once possessed by them (34:11-15).
God punctuates His prophecy with the integrity of His character (34:16-17). Note especially that this is assured by the “book of the Lord” (16), the “mouth of the Lord” (16), and the Spirit of the Lord (16). These are interchangeable phrases, all highlighting that as God has promised it shall be done!
Chapter 35 constitutes a complete change in tone, shifting from the judgment of heathen nations like Edom (34:5,6,9) to the “ransom” (35:10) of His people. Deserts and the wilderness would be full of joy, gladness, singing, and blossoms (35:1-2) as they see God’s majesty and glory. Transforming strength would come to the weak, feeble, anxious, fearful, blind, deaf, lame, and mute (35:3-5). The land would be fruitful once more (35:6-7). The people would be devoted to worshipping only the true God (35:8-10). In the midst of this hopeful future, Isaiah makes intimations of a Messianic day of a highway of holiness (John 14:6; 1 Pet. 1:15-16)!
Isn’t it a blessing to know that judgment is averted by the salvation God has promised to those who hear and obey? What else should be our response other than worship!
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