Before Reading.
- Centering prayer— Pray for illumination, “Lord, open my heart and mind by the power of the Holy Spirit,” and remain in silence.
Reading.
- Read slowly, keeping any words or phrase that come to your mind, and mark on them.
- Close eyes and meditate on what you read.
- Take a note if you have question, inspiration.
Read Isaiah 35
Overview.
Zion restored.
Chapter 35 writes the song for joy of the Redeemed, the coming kingdom of Messiah, and Isaiah’s prophecy of encouragement for the helpless exiles, feeble knees of exhausted prisoner, blind dumb, for they will receive new courage and hope. (1-5)
Restored land will be like paradise (1-6) as it was in Isaiah 11:6-9 in which Isaiah envisioned the life led by peace not by animal instinct. “The burning sand,” “The thirsty ground” “the haunts where jackals once lay,” are analogy of destruction they had once had (34:13-15), symbolizing no life.
Exodus highway is expressed (8-9). Zion is another name for Jerusalem. Jerusalem’s remnants, the redeemed, the ransomed of the Lord, will return. This is the prophesy that exiled will return home. And there will be everlasting joy among them in Jerusalem.
Reflection.
1. What does this passage tell you about God?
2. What does this passage tell you about people.?
3. What does this passage tell you about yourself and God’s will for you?
