Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Isaiah Ch.35 / 66 Ch.s
ISA:35
* The flourishing state of Christ's kingdom. (1-4) The
privileges of his people. (5-10)
#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.
#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.