HIGHWAY OF HOLINESS

Isa. 35:8-10

Context:

• Isiah’s ministry covered the rulership of Judah’s kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (1:1)

• Prophetic words confront God’s disobedient people, yet has words of encouragement and restoration –

o Ch. 1 addresses the outward adherence to the Law while they inwardly disobey it.

o Ch. 2 encourages their return and restoration in latter days – “The mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, …come and let us go unto the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths. For out of Zion shall go forth the law and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” – v. 2-3

The Highway Described – Is. 35:8-10

• “A way, called the “The way of Holiness”

o Jn. 14:6 – Jesus is called the way, the truth, and the life. He is this “way of holiness.”

o Jn. 17:19/I Tim. 4:5 – Holiness means “set apart” – sanctification means “to make holy” – Jesus made himself holy so that we, through Him, are also made holy.

o Sanctification results in: Acts 26:18

 Our eyes being opened,

 Turned from darkness to light,

 Turned from Satan to God,

 Receive forgiveness of sins,

 Receive an inheritance by faith in Jesus.

Pro. 16:17 – The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; he that keeps his way preserves his soul.

• “The unclean cannot pass over it; and wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err

o Jn. 15:3 – you are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

o I Cor. 4:10 – We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ…

o Jam. 1:5-8 – We can ask and receive wisdom from God but must put away doubt and double-mindedness.

• No predators on this Highway – divine protection! – v. 9

o Lev. 26:1, 6 – When we put away all idols, the Lord gives peace and removes all fear of harm.

o Ezk. 34:4-5, 11-14, 23-26 – God raised up One Shepherd, Jesus, to defeat all our enemies and to bring us into a Covenant of Peace. Jesus is our Good Shepherd!

• Redeemed Return with Joy; sorrow and sighing depart

o Lk. 1:68; Gal. 3:13 – Jesus has redeemed us from the curse of the law,

o I Pet. 1:18 – from corruptible things; profitless conduct; and traditions of men

o I Pet. 1:19-23 – This Redemption has given us pure hearts; faith and hope in God; clean souls; sincere love for others; new life that is incorruptible as we abide in Jesus.

Rev. 7:14-17 shows us an eternal reality of this passage.

• Jesus said we would have tribulation in this world –

o Jn. 16:33 – These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world!

o Ro. 8:37 – we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus.

o II Tim. 3:12, 16-17 – Scriptures thoroughly equips us to defeat any err, deception, corruption, etc.

o Eph. 3:10 & Phil. 1:28 – We prove to the powers of darkness that we do not fear them because we carry the triumph and wisdom of Christ within us.

Is. 40:3 – every valley exalted; every mountain made low; every crooked (fraudulent; deception) made straight; every rough (hinderances of our own making or of something outside of us) made plain (split in two). ALL FLESH SHALL SEE THE GLORY OF THE LORD.