150. ISA 35:8-10. ZION’S TRAVELLERS

Isa_35:8-10. Zion’s Travellers

"And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called, The way of holiness," &c.’97Isa_35:8-10.

Whatever primary reference this prophecy might have to the return of the tribes from captivity, it is evident, that all its interesting and beautiful description can only be fully realized in the blessedness and glory of the gospel dispensation. We design to consider it as spiritually referring to the gospel way of salvation.

In doing so we have,

I. The Way itself, and its distinguishing Characteristics.

A religious course is often spoken of as a way. It is called the way of wisdom’97the way of life’97the good old way’97the narrow way, &c. Now, the way of religious experience consists in an affectionate and believing obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. Religion, in its essence, is love’97in its vital spirit, faith’97and in its visible evidence, obedience to God. Now, this way to heaven is described in the text,

1. As a highway.

Not a private path; not a secluded by-way; but a royal public highway; a way broken up, and opened by the authority of the King of kings; a way fully revealed, and extensively published in the gospel; way designed for the general accommodation of the human race, and leading to the metropolis of the universe, Zion, the city of the great King.

2. It is a holy way.

"Shall be called, The way of holiness," &c. Its Founder is holy. It was opened by the obedience of the Holy One of God. It was designed for the promotion of holiness. And none who remain unclean can walk within it. God calls us to holiness. Gospel salvation consists in holiness. Christ’s people are a holy and peculiar people, &c.

3. It is a plain way.

"It shall be for those, the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein." Not a way requiring extensive philosophical knowledge, or deep metaphysical research, to comprehend it; but a way adapted to the poor and illiterate. Gospel requirements of faith and repentance, of obedience and self-denial, plain. Gospel ordinances and duties all plain. How plain Christ’s addresses! How adapted are all the essential portions of the blessed Scriptures to make men wise unto salvation!

4. It is a safe way.

"No lion shall be there," &c. Satan may invite and try to allure us from the way; but he cannot intercept us while walking in it. No: God protects it; he is the shield; the refuge, and the fortress of his people. "Who shall harm us," &c. "If God be for us," &c.

Let us notice,

II. The Character of its Travellers.

"The redeemed of the Lord shall walk there."

1. Once they were slaves.

Slaves of sin and Satan; held in a state of degrading vassalage; outcasts ready to perish; without God, and Christ, and hope in the world; Eph_2:12, Eph_2:13.

2. They have been redeemed.

By the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Redeemed to God; redeemed from sin, and the power of Satan, and the wrath to come.

3. As redeemed, they are now the Lord’s freemen.

Have believingly received the message of reconciliation with great joy. Now sons; members of the divine family; sharers of the divine goodness and peace; and they bear a holy resemblance to the divine image.

Observe we have,

III. The Mode of their Journeying ascribed.

"And they shall return and come to Zion with songs."

1. They sing the praises of their great Deliverer.

"Unto him who loved us," &c.

2. They sing on account of the deliverance itself.

"Brought up out of the mire and clay, and horrible pit," &c. "Plucked as brands from the burning." Saved from sin, and the curse, and eternal death.

3. They sing on account of the joys of their present experience.

Christ within them; hope and peace within; firstfruits of the Spirit within love of God within, &c.

4. They sing on account cf their glorious prospects.

For

"They can read their title clear,

To mansions in the skies."

A good hope, blooming with immortality. "Heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ."

We have,

IV. The Termination of their Journey stated.

"Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads," &c.

1. They shall be crowned with joy.

They shall have given to them a bright and radiant crown of joy that shall never fade away.

2. They shall possess a perfect fulness of felicity.

"They shall obtain joy and gladness." From the fountain-head of bliss. Pure without mixture; in rich abundance; until their capacities are filled unutterably full of glory and of God. And,

3. Their felicity shall be uninterrupted and eternal.

"Sorrow and sighing shall flee away." All the occasions of sorrow shall be left in the wilderness. Possibility of sorrow destroyed. Their eyes shall never weep, and their hearts never experience bitterness any more. Day without night; world without sin, without death, and without curse forever.

Application

Travellers to Zion, go forward, diligently, and patiently, and joyfully. Urge sinners to enter upon these bright, and joyous paths. Warn the impenitent, that the way of transgressors is hard, and leads to eternal death.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS