In Isaiah 34 & 35 we have a stark contrast between two ways of life. In Isaiah 34, we see what happens when human beings try to make life work without dependence on their Creator God. Eventually a godless life falls under God’s judgment (Is. 34:1-4).
“I Did It My Way”: Not The Best Song
Isaiah goes on to use the nation of Edom (Esau’s descendants) as an example of a nation that tries to go their own way. In the life of Edom, we see what happens to a nation that refuses to acknowledge the Source of its blessings: a productive land becomes like a desert (Is. 34:9-17).
Edom is used as a type to represent all nations who forget and spurn the Lord. It is used as a type because, if you look at the history of Edom, they were always seen as opposing God’s benevolent purposes from taking root on the earth. For example, when Israel was on the way to the promise land of Canaan, after their deliverance from Egypt in the great Exodus, the Edomites would not let the Israelites pass through their land (Numbers 20:14-21).
This insensitivity and opposition to God’s Spirit was characteristic of this people group throughout their history. There is no hope for a person or nation that does not humble themselves and allow its Maker to be God in their lives. Whatever glory they had from their God-given blessings will eventually be forfeited in judgment (Is. 34:5-8). Instead, owls and hyenas will enjoy living in their land, unhindered by them (Is. 34:11-16).
In All Your Ways Acknowledge The Lord And He Will Be With You
In contrast, when we wait on the LORD and learn to trust him, He will turn the deserts of our lives into a garden (Is. 35:1-4). Isaiah 35 is eventually fulfilled in the Messianic Age when King Jesus returns. We begin to experience these blessings when we turn and trust Jesus the Messiah in the present age. Our spiritual eyes and ears are opened and we begin to experience our spiritual inheritance in the LORD (Is. 35:5,6). Jesus saw His ministry of healing the blind, the deaf and the lame as the beginning of the fulfillment of Isaiah 35. He referenced Is. 35:5,6 in explaining the meaning of His ministry to the disciples of John the Baptist in Mathew 11:4-6.
In Isaiah 36-38, we see an actual situation in the life of Judah in which they will have an opportunity to trust the LORD. They will experience firsthand that they need not forsake their dependence on the LORD and turn to human powers in order to survive. The army of the superpower Assyria is approaching Jerusalem. They are intent on destroying Judah and the altar of Yahweh God, just like they have destroyed many other nations, along with the images of their gods.
But Assyria’s king will meet his match with tiny Judah. Judah’s God is the true Creator of all nations. Yahweh God easily uproots the Assyrian army as King Hezekiah trusts God’s Word that comes through the prophet Isaiah. We see a foretaste in the life of Judah and Assyria of what Isaiah has been prophesying in Isaiah 34 and 35. Our God is an awesome God! He reigns in heaven above and no power on earth is His equal!
QOTD: What area of your life do you need to be transformed by a powerful move of God? God can do it!