TWO PATHS

An Introduction to Isaiah 34 - 35

Introduction to Isaiah 34-35

These two chapters, with their strong apocalyptic character, introduce us to two great paths.

The intensity of destruction characterizes the first in chapter 34. The beauty of God’s gracious redeeming work radiates in chapter 35. They are both almost wholly lifted from history and time and portray the great scenario of the future. The historical names are more symbolic, whether it be Edom representing the enemies of God’s people or the usage of the wilderness to paint the despairing scene around His godly ones.

Only two paths. Not one and not three. The New Testament, whether in Matthew 25 or in Revelation 20-22, also portrays the two final destinies of mankind. Though we would like to create more categories or even tamper with them, we cannot. We dare not deceive ourselves.

Chapter 34

Judgment of the nations is described in chapter 34.

The destination of Edom lies before our eyes, southeast of Israel, as a testimony to God’s wrath for all who disobey Him. Edom joins Sodom and Gomorrah. Edom is drowned in God’s wrath along with Noah. Edom joins up with the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. and the wholesale collapse of other world systems. Devastation. Destruction. Despair. Each has been written in God’s book. Each of the historical smaller devastations will lead up to the final Judgment Day where the dead will be given up to judgment.

Although these two chapters are added on probably a bit later than the other “Woe” prophecies in chapters 28-33, their solemn message neatly adds a strong emphasis.

God’s people with their reforms will face this judgment unless they show they really are trusting in God rather than man. We must analyze our plans, motivations, and strategies to see whether we are in the path of this devastating judgment.

Chapter 35

The other path is salvation.

This path portrays the most beautiful places in the world and brings their presence to barren lands. Salvation is like the great changes water can make in a desert land. Death becomes life. Barrenness becomes fertility. Despair becomes hope.

Whereas judgment looms over the wicked, the righteous have a different kind of life and hope. They see a different world. One might say they live in a different world. The ones under judgment see an oppressive world, but the godly picture another world, though they live in the same world for the moment as the wicked. The judges only see condemnation. The righteous know all wickedness must be destroyed altogether, but they know it is only a temporary stage as far as they are concerned.

The knowledge of what they need to do is more deeply instilled in them now that the darkness surrounds them; the new day will soon dawn when all the barrenness of the darkness will become the beauty of the new age.

Summary and Application

We might be frustrated with those who only partially live for God.

They compromise. They cheat and lie. In the end, they do not at all trust God. We must remember they live under the threat of judgment and, as far as possible, shake them out of their delusions. Persecution might face those righteous ones not willing to give in to the wicked, but they must stand firm to the end, which is sometimes best looked at as a new beginning.