October 12, Isaiah 35
And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come upon it; they shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there. - Isaiah 35:8-9
It's not very difficult to navigate around the little river town where I live. A visitor or a delivery driver from out of town might need a navigational aid, but the streets are well-marked and the layout is quite straight-forward. That's not so in some big cities where I've visited. It's easy, even with navigational aids to get on the wrong road and be on your way to somewhere you did not want to go.
The text verse for this essay on Isaiah 35 is by far the best known verse in this chapter. It envisions a fine road, made by God, by his own authority, by his own word and work. In a day when travel was especially dangerous because of highway robbers, this way offered protection for those who traveled on it. It led to the right destination. The route was a sure and secure passage through what had been a barren wilderness. But now the highway passed through a lush, fertile garden setting.
On this road there are no roadblocks, no dead ends or detours. Those who travel on this road are trusting and following the direction of God, its designer and builder. Along the way they enjoy blessings and when they reach their final destination, they are rewarded for their trust and obedience.
It's ordinary to look for an alternate, a better way, a shortcut off the main road. But it is foolish to strike out to discover or create another road instead of this one. Those who will not follow God's direction and travel on his appointed way are sabotaging themselves with self-will. They are despising God's wisdom and grace, preferring their own cleverness to make a way for themselves.
In New Testament times, there was a popular saying across the empire that all roads led to Rome. I've heard that idea expressed about the various ways that men and women try to reach God. But the Bible says that this highway is a Way, and Jesus himself identified himself as "the Way." The protection and blessing offered those who travel this way are only found in Christ. The healing, abundance and life of this way are not available along any other road or path. When Jesus added, "No one comes to the Father except by me" to his claim to be the way, it marked this way as exclusive. Any other road we might choose, devise or invent cannot, will not get you home to be with the Lord.
This description of this highway cannot refer to a literal road that Israel traveled when they were released from Babylonian captivity. There was no such road. The trackless waste land between Babylon and Jerusalem was no garden spot. Instead it is a figurative description of the blessings, joy and freedom we can enjoy in Christ.
This blessed path stands in sharp contrast to the horrible fate of the wicked described in the previous chapter. The journey and the destination along this highway of holiness are both very different from the perils and destruction that comes to those who despise and oppose God.
Many New Testament concepts are illustrated here. God's people help and encourage the weak and helpless among their band of pilgrims.
That brings to mind all the "one another" commands of the New Testament to be obeyed in the fellowship of the body of Christ. Then there's the incarnation, the mission and the saving work of Christ in the statement, "He will come and save you." All our hope is tied to that statement being completely realized in the life, death and resurrection of Christ. No one enters this way by accident or chance. A fool (the moral fool who despises wisdom and instruction) will never stumble into this blessed way.
This oasis in the wilderness did not exist when the captives returned from Babylon. But it is a picture of Jews and Gentiles who leave a hopelessly bleak and ruined world behind to come to God through Christ. Through the gospel, you and I are invited to join this holy pilgrimage of blessing. By God's grace we can come to him through Jesus, the Way. There is freedom from our old lives and sweet fellowship along the road with fellow travelers. And it's good to know, believe and trust with all our heart that this road will get you safely home.
Copyright © 2023 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today in God's Word—October 2023
East Tallassee Church of Christ
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