mh_parser/vol_split/23 - Isaiah/Chapter 35.xml

<div2 id="Is.xxxvi" n="xxxvi" next="Is.xxxvii" prev="Is.xxxv" progress="13.32%" title="Chapter XXXV">
<h2 id="Is.xxxvi-p0.1">I S A I A H.</h2>
<h3 id="Is.xxxvi-p0.2">CHAP. XXXV.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Is.xxxvi-p1" shownumber="no">As after a prediction of God's judgments upon the
world (<scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.24.1-Isa.24.23" parsed="|Isa|24|1|24|23" passage="Isa 24:1-23"><i>ch.</i> xxiv.</scripRef>)
follows a promise of great mercy to be had in store for his church
(<scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.25.1-Isa.25.2" parsed="|Isa|25|1|25|2" passage="Isa 25:1-2"><i>ch.</i> xxv.</scripRef>), so
here after a black and dreadful scene of confusion in the foregoing
chapter we have, in this, a bright and pleasant one, which, though
it foretel the flourishing estate of Hezekiah's kingdom in the
latter part of his reign, yet surely looks as far beyond that as
the prophecy in the foregoing chapter does beyond the destruction
of the Edomites; both were typical, and it concerns us most to look
at those things which they were typical of, the kingdom of Christ
and the kingdom of heaven. When the world, which lies in
wickedness, shall be laid in ruins, and the Jewish church, which
persisted in infidelity, shall become a desolation, then the gospel
church shall be set up and made to flourish. I. The Gentiles shall
be brought into it, <scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.35.1-Isa.35.2 Bible:Isa.35.7" parsed="|Isa|35|1|35|2;|Isa|35|7|0|0" passage="Isa 35:1,2,7">ver. 1, 2,
7</scripRef>. II. The well-wishers to it, who were weak and
timorous, shall be encouraged, <scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Isa.35.3-Isa.35.4" parsed="|Isa|35|3|35|4" passage="Isa 35:3,4">ver.
3, 4</scripRef>. III. Miracles shall be wrought both on the souls
and on the bodies of men, <scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Isa.35.5-Isa.35.6" parsed="|Isa|35|5|35|6" passage="Isa 35:5,6">ver. 5,
6</scripRef>. IV. The gospel church shall be conducted in the way
of holiness, <scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Isa.35.8-Isa.35.9" parsed="|Isa|35|8|35|9" passage="Isa 35:8,9">ver. 8, 9</scripRef>.
V. It shall be brought at last to endless joys, <scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Isa.35.10" parsed="|Isa|35|10|0|0" passage="Isa 35:10">ver. 10</scripRef>. Thus do we find more of Christ and
heaven in this chapter than one would have expected in the Old
Testament.</p>
<scripCom id="Is.xxxvi-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Isa.35" parsed="|Isa|35|0|0|0" passage="Isa 35" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Is.xxxvi-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:Isa.35.1-Isa.35.4" parsed="|Isa|35|1|35|4" passage="Isa 35:1-4" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Is.xxxvi-p1.10">
<h4 id="Is.xxxvi-p1.11">The Blessings of the Gospel. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Is.xxxvi-p1.12">b. c.</span> 720.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Is.xxxvi-p2" shownumber="no">1 The wilderness and the solitary place shall be
glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the
rose.   2 It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with
joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the
excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Is.xxxvi-p2.1">Lord</span>, <i>and</i> the excellency of
our God.   3 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the
feeble knees.   4 Say to them <i>that are</i> of a fearful
heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come <i>with</i>
vengeance, <i>even</i> God <i>with</i> a recompence; he will come
and save you.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.xxxvi-p3" shownumber="no">In these verses we have,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.xxxvi-p4" shownumber="no">I. The desert land blooming. In the
foregoing chapter we had a populous and fruitful country turned
into a horrid wilderness; here we have in lieu of that, a
wilderness turned into a good land. When the land of Judah was
freed from the Assyrian army, those parts of the country that had
been made as a wilderness by the ravages and outrages they
committed began to recover themselves, and to look pleasantly
again, and to blossom as the rose. When the Gentile nations, that
had been long as a wilderness, bringing forth no fruit to God,
received the gospel, joy came with it to them, <scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.67.3-Ps.67.4 Bible:Ps.96.11-Ps.96.12" parsed="|Ps|67|3|67|4;|Ps|96|11|96|12" passage="Ps 67:3,4,96:11,12">Ps. lxvii. 3, 4; xcvi. 11, 12</scripRef>. When
Christ was preached in Samaria there was <i>great joy in that
city</i> (<scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.8.8" parsed="|Acts|8|8|0|0" passage="Ac 8:8">Acts viii. 8</scripRef>);
those that sat in darkness saw a great and joyful light, and then
they blossomed, that is, gave hopes of abundance of fruit; for that
was it which the preachers of the gospel aimed at (<scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:John.15.16" parsed="|John|15|16|0|0" passage="Joh 15:16">John xv. 16</scripRef>), to <i>go and bring
forth fruit,</i> <scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:Rom.1.13 Bible:Col.1.6" parsed="|Rom|1|13|0|0;|Col|1|6|0|0" passage="Ro 1:13,Col 1:6">Rom. i. 13;
Col. i. 6</scripRef>. Though blossoms are not fruit, and often
miscarry and come to nothing, yet they are in order to fruit.
Converting grace makes the soul that was <i>a wilderness to rejoice
with joy and singing,</i> and to <i>blossom abundantly.</i> This
flourishing desert shall have all <i>the glory of Lebanon</i> given
to it, which consisted in the strength and stateliness of its
cedars, together with <i>the excellency of Carmel and Sharon,</i>
which consisted in corn and cattle. Whatever is valuable in any
institution is brought into the gospel. All the beauty of the
Jewish church was admitted into the Christian church, and appeared
in its perfection, as the apostle shows at large in his epistle to
the Hebrews. Whatever was excellent an desirable in the Mosaic
economy is translated into the evangelical institutes.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.xxxvi-p5" shownumber="no">II. The glory of God shining forth: <i>They
shall see the glory of the Lord.</i> God will manifest himself more
than ever in his grace and love to mankind (for that is his glory
and excellency), and he shall give them eyes to see it, and hearts
to be duly affected with it. This is that which will make the
desert blossom. The more we see by faith of the glory of the Lord
and the excellency of our God the more joyful and the more fruitful
shall we be.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.xxxvi-p6" shownumber="no">III. The feeble and faint-hearted
encouraged, <scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.35.3-Isa.35.4" parsed="|Isa|35|3|35|4" passage="Isa 35:3,4"><i>v.</i> 3,
4</scripRef>. God's prophets and ministers are in a special manner
charged, by virtue of their office, to <i>strengthen the weak
hands,</i> to comfort those who could not yet recover the fright
they had been put into by the Assyrian army with an assurance that
God would now return in mercy to them. This is the design of the
gospel, 1. To strengthen those that are weak and to confirm
them—the weak hands, which are unable either to work or fight, and
can hardly be lifted up in prayer, and the feeble knees, which are
unable either to stand or walk and unfit for the race set before
us. The gospel furnishes us with strengthening considerations, and
shows us where strength is laid up for us. Among true Christians
there are many that have weak hands and feeble knees, that are yet
but babes in Christ; but it is our duty to strengthen our brethren
(<scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.22.32" parsed="|Luke|22|32|0|0" passage="Lu 22:32">Luke xxii. 32</scripRef>), not only
to bear with the weak, but to do what we can to confirm them,
<scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:Rom.15.1 Bible:1Thess.5.14" parsed="|Rom|15|1|0|0;|1Thess|5|14|0|0" passage="Ro 15:1,1Th 5:14">Rom. xv. 1; 1 Thess. v.
14</scripRef>. It is our duty also to strengthen ourselves, to lift
up <i>the hands which hang down</i> (<scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p6.4" osisRef="Bible:Heb.12.12" parsed="|Heb|12|12|0|0" passage="Heb 12:12">Heb. xii. 12</scripRef>), improving the strength God
has given us, and exerting it. 2. To animate those that are
timorous and discouraged: <i>Say to those that are of a fearful
heart,</i> because of their own weakness and the strength of their
enemies, that are <i>hasty</i> (so the word is), that are for
betaking themselves to flight upon the first alarm, and giving up
the cause, that say, in their haste, "We are cut off and undone"
(<scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p6.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.31.22" parsed="|Ps|31|22|0|0" passage="Ps 31:22">Ps. xxxi. 22</scripRef>), there is
enough in the gospel to silence these fears; it says to them, and
let them say it to themselves and one to another, <i>Be strong,
fear not.</i> Fear is weakening; the more we strive against it the
stronger we are both for doing and suffering; and, for our
encouragement to strive, he that says to us, <i>Be strong</i> has
laid help for us upon one that is mighty.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.xxxvi-p7" shownumber="no">IV. Assurance given of the approach of a
Saviour: "<i>Your God will come with vengeance.</i> God will appear
for you against your enemies, will recompense both their injuries
and your losses." The Messiah will come, in the fulness of time, to
take vengeance on the powers of darkness, to spoil them, and make a
show of them openly, to recompense those that mourn in Zion with
abundant comforts. <i>He will come and save us.</i> With the hopes
of this the Old-Testament saints strengthened their weak hands. He
will come again at the end of time, will come in flaming fire, to
recompense tribulation to those who have troubled his people, and,
to those who were troubled, rest, such a rest as will be not only a
final period to, but a full reward of, all their troubles,
<scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.1.6-2Thess.1.7" parsed="|2Thess|1|6|1|7" passage="2Th 1:6,7">2 Thess. i. 6, 7</scripRef>. Those
whose <i>hearts tremble for the ark of God,</i> and who are under a
concern for his church in the world, may silence their fears with
this, God will take the work into his own hands. Your God will
come, who pleads your cause and owns your interest, even God
himself, who is God alone.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Is.xxxvi-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.35.5-Isa.35.10" parsed="|Isa|35|5|35|10" passage="Isa 35:5-10" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Is.xxxvi-p7.3">
<h4 id="Is.xxxvi-p7.4">The Blessings of the Gospel. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Is.xxxvi-p7.5">b. c.</span> 720.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Is.xxxvi-p8" shownumber="no">5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.   6 Then shall
the lame <i>man</i> leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb
sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in
the desert.   7 And the parched ground shall become a pool,
and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of
dragons, where each lay, <i>shall be</i> grass with reeds and
rushes.   8 And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it
shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass
over it; but it <i>shall be</i> for those: the wayfaring men,
though fools, shall not err <i>therein.</i>   9 No lion shall
be there, nor <i>any</i> ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it
shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk <i>there:</i>
  10 And the ransomed of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Is.xxxvi-p8.1">Lord</span> shall return, and come to Zion with songs
and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and
gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.xxxvi-p9" shownumber="no">"<i>Then,</i> when your God shall come,
even Christ, to set up his kingdom in the world, to which all the
prophets bore witness, especially towards the conclusion of their
prophecies of the temporal deliverances of the church, and this
evangelical prophet especially—then look for great things."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.xxxvi-p10" shownumber="no">I. Wonders shall be wrought in the kingdoms
both of nature and grace, wonders of mercy wrought upon the
children of men, sufficient to evince that it is no less than a God
that comes to us. 1. Wonders shall be wrought on men's bodies
(<scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.35.5-Isa.35.6" parsed="|Isa|35|5|35|6" passage="Isa 35:5,6"><i>v.</i> 5, 6</scripRef>): <i>The
eyes of the blind shall be opened;</i> this was often done by our
Lord Jesus when he was here upon earth, with a word's speaking, and
one he gave sight to that was <i>born</i> blind, <scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.9.27 Bible:Matt.12.22 Bible:Matt.20.30 Bible:John.9.6" parsed="|Matt|9|27|0|0;|Matt|12|22|0|0;|Matt|20|30|0|0;|John|9|6|0|0" passage="Mt 9:27,12:22,20:30,Joh 9:6">Matt. ix. 27; xii. 22; xx. 30; John
ix. 6</scripRef>. By his power the ears of the deaf also were
unstopped, with one word. <i>Ephphatha—Be opened,</i> <scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Mark.7.34" parsed="|Mark|7|34|0|0" passage="Mk 7:34">Mark vii. 34</scripRef>. Many that were lame had
the use of their limbs restored so perfectly that they could not
only go, but <i>leap,</i> and with so much joy to them that they
could not forbear leaping for joy, as that impotent man, <scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p10.4" osisRef="Bible:Acts.3.8" parsed="|Acts|3|8|0|0" passage="Ac 3:8">Acts iii. 8</scripRef>. The dumb also were enabled
to speak, and then no marvel that they were disposed to sing for
joy, <scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p10.5" osisRef="Bible:Matt.9.32-Matt.9.33" parsed="|Matt|9|32|9|33" passage="Mt 9:32,33">Matt. ix. 32, 33</scripRef>.
These miracles Christ wrought to prove that he was sent of God
(<scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p10.6" osisRef="Bible:John.3.2" parsed="|John|3|2|0|0" passage="Joh 3:2">John iii. 2</scripRef>), nay, working
them by his own power and in his own name, he proved that he was
God, the same who at first made man's mouth, the hearing ear, and
the seeing eye. When he would prove to John's disciples his divine
mission he did it by miracles of this kind, in which this scripture
was fulfilled. 2. Wonders, greater wonders, shall be wrought on
men's souls. By the word and Spirit of Christ those that were
spiritually blind were enlightened (<scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p10.7" osisRef="Bible:Acts.26.18" parsed="|Acts|26|18|0|0" passage="Ac 26:18">Acts xxvi. 18</scripRef>), those that were deaf to the
calls of God were made to hear them readily, so Lydia, whose heart
<i>the Lord opened,</i> so <i>that she attended,</i> <scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p10.8" osisRef="Bible:Acts.16.14" parsed="|Acts|16|14|0|0" passage="Ac 16:14">Acts xvi. 14</scripRef>. Those that were
impotent to every thing that is good by divine grace are made, not
only able for it, but active in it, and run the way of God's
commandments. Those also that were dumb, and knew not how to speak
of God or to God, having their understandings opened to know him,
shall thereby have their lips opened to show forth his praise. The
tongue of the dumb shall sing for joy, the joy of God's salvation.
Praise shall be perfected out of the mouth of babes and
sucklings.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.xxxvi-p11" shownumber="no">II. The Spirit shall be poured out from on
high. There shall be <i>waters and streams,</i> rivers of living
water; when our Saviour spoke of these as the fulfilling of the
scripture, and most probably of this scripture, the evangelist
tells us, <i>He spoke of the Spirit</i> (<scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:John.7.38-John.7.39" parsed="|John|7|38|7|39" passage="Joh 7:38,39">John vii. 38, 39</scripRef>), as does also this
prophet (<scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.32.15" parsed="|Isa|32|15|0|0" passage="Isa 32:15"><i>ch.</i> xxxii.
15</scripRef>); so here (<scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.35.6" parsed="|Isa|35|6|0|0" passage="Isa 35:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>), <i>in the wilderness,</i> where one would least
expect it, <i>shall waters break out.</i> This was fulfilled when
the <i>Holy Ghost fell upon the Gentiles</i> that <i>heard the
word</i> (<scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:Acts.10.44" parsed="|Acts|10|44|0|0" passage="Ac 10:44">Acts x. 44</scripRef>); then
were the fountains of life opened, whence streams flowed, that
watered the earth abundantly. These waters are said to <i>break
out,</i> which denotes a pleasing surprise to the Gentile world,
such as brought them, as it were, into a new world. The blessed
effect of this shall be that the <i>parched ground shall become a
pool,</i> <scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p11.5" osisRef="Bible:Isa.35.7" parsed="|Isa|35|7|0|0" passage="Isa 35:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>.
Those that laboured and were heavily laden, under the burden of
guilt, and were scorched with the sense of divine wrath, found
rest, and refreshment, and abundant comforts in the gospel. In
<i>the thirsty land,</i> where no water was, nor ordinances
(<scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p11.6" osisRef="Bible:Ps.63.1" parsed="|Ps|63|1|0|0" passage="Ps 63:1">Ps. lxiii. 1</scripRef>), there shall
be <i>springs of water,</i> a gospel ministry, and by that the
administration of all gospel ordinances in their purity and plenty,
which are <i>the river that makes glad the city of our God,</i>
<scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p11.7" osisRef="Bible:Ps.46.4" parsed="|Ps|46|4|0|0" passage="Ps 46:4">Ps. xlvi. 4</scripRef>. <i>In the
habitation of dragons,</i> who chose to dwell in the parched
scorched ground (<scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p11.8" osisRef="Bible:Isa.34.9 Bible:Isa.34.13" parsed="|Isa|34|9|0|0;|Isa|34|13|0|0" passage="Isa 34:9,13"><i>ch.</i> xxxiv.
9, 13</scripRef>), these waters shall flow, and dispossess them, so
that, <i>where each lay shall be grass with reeds and rushes,</i>
great plenty of useful productions. Thus it was when Christian
churches were planted, and flourished greatly, in the cities of the
Gentiles, which, for many ages, had been habitations of dragons, or
devils rather, as Babylon (<scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p11.9" osisRef="Bible:Rev.18.2" parsed="|Rev|18|2|0|0" passage="Re 18:2">Rev. xviii.
2</scripRef>); when the property of the idols' temples was altered,
and they were converted to the service of Christianity, then the
habitations of dragons became fruitful fields.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.xxxvi-p12" shownumber="no">III. The way of religion and godliness
shall be laid open: it is here called <i>the way of holiness</i>
(<scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.35.8" parsed="|Isa|35|8|0|0" passage="Isa 35:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>) the way both
of holy worship and a holy conversation. Holiness is the rectitude
of the human nature and will, in conformity to the divine nature
and will. The way of holiness is that course of religious duties in
which men ought to walk and press forward, with an eye to the glory
of God and their own felicity in the enjoyment of him. "When our
God shall come to save us he shall chalk out to us this way by his
gospel, so as it had never been before described." 1. It shall be
an appointed way; not a way of sufferance, but <i>a highway,</i> a
way into which we are directed by a divine authority and in which
we are protected by a divine warrant. It is the King's highway, the
King of Kings' highway, in which, though we may be waylaid, we
cannot be stopped. The <i>way of holiness</i> is the way of God's
commandments; it is (as highways usually are) the <i>good old
way,</i> <scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Jer.6.16" parsed="|Jer|6|16|0|0" passage="Jer 6:16">Jer. vi. 16</scripRef>. 2. It
shall be an appropriated way, the way in which God will bring his
own chosen to himself, but <i>the unclean shall not pass over
it,</i> either to defile it or to disturb those that walk in it. It
is a way by itself, distinguished from the way of the world, for it
is a way of separation from, and nonconformity to, this world.
<i>It shall be for those</i> whom the Lord has <i>set apart for
himself</i> (<scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.4.3" parsed="|Ps|4|3|0|0" passage="Ps 4:3">Ps. iv. 3</scripRef>),
shall be reserved for them: <i>The redeemed shall walk there,</i>
and the satisfaction they take in these <i>ways of pleasantness</i>
shall be out of the reach of molestation from an evil world. <i>The
unclean shall not pass over it,</i> for it shall be a fair way;
those that walk in it are the <i>undefiled in the way,</i> who
<i>escape the pollution that is in the world.</i> 3. It shall be a
straight way: <i>The wayfaring men,</i> who choose to travel in it,
<i>though fools,</i> of weak capacity in other things, shall have
such plain directions from the word and Spirit of God in this way
that they <i>shall not err therein;</i> not that they shall be
infallible even in their own conduct, or that they shall in nothing
mistake, but they shall not be guilty of any fatal misconduct,
shall not so miss their way but that they shall recover it again,
and get well to their journey's end. Those that are in the narrow
way, though some may fall into one path and others into another,
not all equally right, but all meeting at last in the same end,
shall yet never fall into the broad way again; the Spirit of truth
shall lead them into all truth that is necessary for them. Note,
The way to heaven is a plain way, and easy to hit. <i>God has
chosen the foolish things of the world,</i> and made them wise to
salvation. <i>Knowledge is easy to him that understands.</i> 4. It
shall be a safe way: <i>No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous
beast</i> (<scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p12.4" osisRef="Bible:Isa.35.9" parsed="|Isa|35|9|0|0" passage="Isa 35:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>),
none <i>to hurt or destroy.</i> Those that keep close to this way
keep out of the reach of Satan the roaring lion, that wicked one
touches them not. Those that walk in the way of holiness may
proceed with a holy security and serenity of mind, knowing that
nothing can do them any real hurt; they shall be quiet from the
fear of evil. It was in Hezekiah's days, some time after the
captivity of the ten tribes, that God, being displeased with the
colonies settled there, <i>sent lions among them,</i> <scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p12.5" osisRef="Bible:2Kgs.17.25" parsed="|2Kgs|17|25|0|0" passage="2Ki 17:25">2 Kings xvii. 25</scripRef>. But Judah keeps
her integrity, and therefore <i>no lions shall be there.</i> Those
that walk in the <i>way of holiness</i> must separate themselves
from the unclean and the ravenous, must <i>save themselves from an
untoward generation;</i> hoping that they themselves are of the
redeemed, let them walk <i>with the redeemed</i> who <i>shall walk
there.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Is.xxxvi-p13" shownumber="no">IV. The end of this way shall be
everlasting joy, <scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.35.10" parsed="|Isa|35|10|0|0" passage="Isa 35:10"><i>v.</i>
10</scripRef>. This precious promise of peace now will end shortly
in endless joys and rest for the soul. Here is good news for the
citizens of Zion, rest to the weary: <i>The ransomed of the
Lord,</i> who therefore ought to follow him wherever he goes
(<scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Rev.14.4" parsed="|Rev|14|4|0|0" passage="Re 14:4">Rev. xiv. 4</scripRef>), <i>shall
return and come to Zion,</i> 1. To serve and worship God in the
church militant: they shall deliver themselves out of Babylon
(<scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:Zech.2.7" parsed="|Zech|2|7|0|0" passage="Zec 2:7">Zech. ii. 7</scripRef>), shall <i>ask
the way to Zion</i> (<scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p13.4" osisRef="Bible:Jer.50.5" parsed="|Jer|50|5|0|0" passage="Jer 50:5">Jer. l.
5</scripRef>), and shall <i>find the way</i> <scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p13.5" osisRef="Bible:Isa.52.12" parsed="|Isa|52|12|0|0" passage="Isa 52:12"><i>ch.</i> lii. 12</scripRef>. God will open to them a
door of escape out of their captivity, and it shall be an effectual
door, though there be many adversaries. They shall join themselves
to the gospel church, that <i>Mount Zion,</i> that <i>city of the
living God,</i> <scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p13.6" osisRef="Bible:Heb.12.22" parsed="|Heb|12|22|0|0" passage="Heb 12:22">Heb. xii.
22</scripRef>. They shall come with songs of joy and praise for
their deliverance out of Babylon, where they wept upon every
<i>remembrance of Zion,</i> <scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p13.7" osisRef="Bible:Ps.137.1" parsed="|Ps|137|1|0|0" passage="Ps 137:1">Ps.
cxxxvii. 1</scripRef>. Those that by faith are made citizens of the
gospel Zion may <i>go on their way rejoicing</i> (<scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p13.8" osisRef="Bible:Acts.8.39" parsed="|Acts|8|39|0|0" passage="Ac 8:39">Acts viii. 39</scripRef>); they shall sing in the
ways of the Lord, and be still praising him. They rejoice in Christ
Jesus, and the sorrows and signs of their convictions are made to
flee away by the power of divine consolations. Those that mourn are
blessed, for they shall be comforted. 2. To see and enjoy God in
the church triumphant; those that walk in <i>the way of
holiness,</i> under guidance of their Redeemer, shall come to Zion
at last, to the heavenly Zion, shall come in a body, shall all be
presented together, <i>faultless, at the coming of Christ's glory
with exceeding joy</i> (<scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p13.9" osisRef="Bible:Jude.1.24 Bible:Rev.7.17" parsed="|Jude|1|24|0|0;|Rev|7|17|0|0" passage="Jude 1:24,Re 7:17">Jude
24; Rev. vii. 17</scripRef>); they shall come with songs. When
God's people returned out of Babylon to Zion they came
<i>weeping</i> (<scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p13.10" osisRef="Bible:Jer.50.4" parsed="|Jer|50|4|0|0" passage="Jer 50:4">Jer. l. 4</scripRef>);
but they shall come to heaven singing a new song, which no man can
learn, <scripRef id="Is.xxxvi-p13.11" osisRef="Bible:Rev.14.3" parsed="|Rev|14|3|0|0" passage="Re 14:3">Rev. xiv. 3</scripRef>. When
they shall <i>enter into the joy of their Lord</i> it shall be what
the joys of this world never could be <i>everlasting joy,</i>
without mixture, interruption, or period. It shall not only fill
their hearts, to their own perfect and perpetual satisfaction, but
it shall be <i>upon their heads,</i> as an ornament of grace and a
crown of glory, as a garland worn in token of victory. Their joy
shall be visible, and no longer a secret thing, as it is here in
this world; it shall be proclaimed, to the glory of God and their
mutual encouragement. They shall then obtain the joy and gladness
which they could never expect on this side heaven; <i>and sorrow
and sighing shall flee away</i> for ever, as the shadows of the
night before the rising sun. Thus these prophecies, which relate to
the Assyrian invasion, conclude, for the support of the people of
God under that calamity, and to direct their joy, in their
deliverance from it, to something higher. Our joyful hopes and
prospects of eternal life should swallow up both all the sorrows
and all the joys of this present time.</p>
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