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Scott's Reference Library
Isaiah 35:4 through Isaiah 35:7 (NIV)
4 say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
he will come to save you.”
5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
6 Then will the lame leap like a deer,
and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
and streams in the desert.
7 The burning sand will become a pool,
the thirsty ground bubbling springs.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 1-4
Judea was prosperous in the days of Hezekiah, but the kingdom of Christ is the
great subject intended. Converting grace makes the soul that was a wilderness,
to rejoice with joy and singing, and to blossom abundantly. The feeble and
faint-hearted are encouraged. This is the design of the gospel. Fear is
weakening; the more we strive against it, the stronger we are, both for doing
and suffering; and he that says to us, Be strong, has laid help for us upon One
who is mighty. Assurance is given of the approach of Messiah, to take vengeance
on the powers of darkness, to recompense with abundant comforts those that mourn
in Zion; He will come and save. He will come again at the end of time, to punish
those who have troubled his people; and to give those who were troubled such
rest as will be a full reward for all their troubles.
VERSES 5-10
When Christ shall come to set up his kingdom in the world, then wonders, great
wonders, shall be wrought on men’s souls. By the word and Spirit of Christ, the
spiritually blind were enlightened; and those deaf to the calls of God were made
to hear them readily. Those unable to do any thing good, by Divine grace were
made active therein. Those that knew not how to speak of God or to God, had
their lips opened to show forth his praise. When the Holy Ghost came upon the
Gentiles that heard the word, then were the fountains of life opened. Most of
the earth is still a desert; neither means of grace, spiritual worshippers, nor
fruits of holiness, are to be found in it. But the way of religion and godliness
shall be laid open. The way of holiness is the way of God’s commandment; it is
the good old way. And the way to heaven is a plain way. Those knowing but
little, and unlearned, shall be kept from missing the road. It shall be a safe
way; nothing can do them any real hurt. Christ, the way to God, shall be clearly
made known; and the way of a believer’s duty shall be plainly marked out. Let us
then go forward cheerfully, assured that the end of this way shall be
everlasting joy, and rest for the soul. Those who by faith are made citizens of
the gospel Zion, rejoice in Christ Jesus; and their sorrows and sighs are made
to flee away by Divine consolations. Thus these prophecies conclude. Our joyful
hopes and prospects of eternal life should swallow up all the sorrows and all
the joys of this present time. But of what avail is it to admire the excellence
of God’s word, unless we can call its precious promises our own? Do we love God,
not only as our Creator, but because he gave his only Son to die for us? And are
we walking in the ways of holiness? Let us try ourselves by such plain
questions, rather than spend time on things that may be curious and amusing, but
are unprofitable.