Isaiah:35

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* Verse 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 . * Verse 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 . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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