After Judgment

The judgment of God can strike fear and loathing in the hearts of many. But here's what we don't think about enough. What happens AFTER God's judgment? Isaiah 34 is a dark chapter describing God's anger and judgment on the entire creation. But Isaiah 35 sounds very different. 

Isaiah 35:1–2 (ESV) The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; 2 it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God.

In the previous chapter God's judgment leaves a wilderness behind full of thorns, thistles, and wild animals roaming through it. Now after the judgment, God's work produces a future hope. Isaiah describes gladness and blossoms. After God's judgment comes a beautiful work of God.

Isaiah reminds the people to be strong in the midst of these trying times. 
Isaiah 35:3–4 (ESV) Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. 4 Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”

How often anxiety causes our physical body to weaken. But God is coming. He will save. 

Isaiah 35:5–7 (ESV) Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 6 then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; 7 the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt of jackals, where they lie down, the grass shall become reeds and rushes.

These verses show us a picture of the Lord at work. Heaven has no sickness or disease, no inability or disability. God will bring balance not only to the human experience but to nature itself. No more wilderness and desert, instead, pools and springs surrounded by grassy meadows. After God's judgment comes a beautiful work of God. 

Isaiah 35:8 (ESV) And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.

In the midst of this will be a path for the people of God. That path is Christ's sacrificial work for us. Notice that Isaiah stipulates the path will belong to those who walk in Christ. He even makes fools to stand secure. 

Finally, the chapter ends with more promise of security for the redeemed people of God. 

Isaiah 35:9–10 (ESV) No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. 10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

What we have in this chapter is a picture of the glorious purposes of God at work following the judgment of God on Earth. 

But the beauty of the Gospel is this: Jesus was judged so that we might experience the goodness of God. In Christ, we are spared the judgment and enter into the pathway of redemption. We return to the city of God with joy in our hearts and one day every sad song will be no more. 

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