Isaiah 35:7, commentary and pictures

The parched and thirsty barren ground becomes a pool and springs of water, and the lair where dragons and wild creatures rested becomes grassy with reeds and rushes. It belongs to the future glory and restoration of the redeemed, when they return to Zion and dwell in the earth made new, free from sin, sickness, sorrow, death and every mark of the curse. It will be seen when the ransomed are safely gathered into the heavenly Canaan, forever delivered from the bondage of the curse after Christ's atoning work is completed and sins are blotted out. It is given to encourage fearful and discouraged churches and believers facing spiritual lack and depression, to be claimed by faith in times of emergency and shared to strengthen others. The change is God's own work made visible in people's lives even in this world through workers who cooperate with Him, so that obedient love and truth welcomed into the heart refresh others like streams bringing life to a desert.

Barren Land Made Fruitful

The parched ground becomes a pool, and the thirsty land becomes springs of water, so that barren, waterless ground is made fertile and full of water. In the habitation where dragons or jackals once lay, where wild creatures made their lairs and rested, there shall be grass with reeds and rushes, and even land fit only for dragons becomes grassy and lush with vegetation. This change pictures God's transforming of a barren place into a fertile one, and the transformation is the Lord's work, so all honor for it belongs to God and not to the people through whom He works. That future promise becomes visible in people's lives even in this world, and in its surrounding promise this picture accompanies the proclamation of the gospel and the restoration of the redeemed.

The picture belongs to the future glory and restoration of the redeemed, when they return to Zion in renewal and joy. It is part of the vision of the new heaven and new earth, when the ransomed dwell in the earth made new and the desolate earth is completely renewed. There the curse-stricken wilderness becomes fertile and full of water, flourishing with reeds and grass even where wild creatures once made their dens. Those who have triumphed over sin and death then live joyfully in God's presence and dwell with Him, free from sin, sickness, sorrow, death, and every mark of the curse.

It will be seen when the ransomed of the Lord are safely gathered into the heavenly Canaan, forever delivered from the bondage of the curse under which the whole creation groans. Then waters break out in the wilderness and streams in the desert, the wilderness and solitary place are glad, and the desert rejoices and blossoms. This belongs to the time of joy unspeakable and full of glory after Christ's great work of atonement is completed and sins are forever blotted out. That antitypical rejoicing was foreshadowed by the Feast of Tabernacles.

It will be fulfilled as a future restoration of God's people given for encouragement in the closing work. It comes when God's people are out of the cities, before the work is closed up and the sealing of God's people is finished, with the outpouring of the Spirit of God and angels from heaven in the midst. The present is the fitting-up time for heaven, requiring growth in grace and full obedience to all the commandments of God. These words are to be laid in the heart, with Christ accepted as Saviour and friend and the offered salvation taken wholly on the Lord's side, and with every family member consecrated to God's service, drawn together and depending on Christ alone for salvation.

Encouragement for Closing Work

The promise that parched, thirsty, barren ground will become a pool and springs of water, and that the lair of wild creatures will become grassy with reeds and rushes, is given to encourage fearful and discouraged churches and believers facing spiritual lack, disappointment and depression. These assurances portray God's saving work, with the opening of the eyes of the blind and the ears of the deaf, the healing of the lame and the singing of the tongue of the mute, declaring that God will come to save and that desolation will give way to life. They are to be claimed by faith in times of emergency and shared to strengthen others.

The word is to be read with Isaiah 50, repeated in faith in God, and claimed when disappointed by the spiritual lack seen in churches and in individuals. It is for the time of meeting those not willing to be helped and strengthened, and of finding halting and disaffection among believers. It is for when evil angels in the form of believers work in the ranks to bring in unbelief and assemble in meetings to counterwork the Spirit of God, and then no word of discouragement spoken by human lips is to be caught up to confirm them.

It is present truth to be proclaimed just now with assurance and power, with no mournful note and no funeral hymns, as words of cheer declaring the goodness and power of God. It is to be declared in the congregation of the saints and wherever the gospel of Jesus Christ is carried to those who do not know the truth for this time. Dry and barren ground will be turned into well-watered and fruitful places, even where dragons once made their lairs, as part of God's coming with vengeance and recompense to save His people, to heal the blind, deaf, lame and mute, and to bring gladness and restoration, accompanying the proclamation of the gospel and the restoration of the redeemed.

The present is the fitting-up time for heaven, requiring growth in grace and full obedience to all the commandments of God. These words are to be laid in the heart, with Christ accepted wholly as Saviour and friend and the offered salvation taken wholly on the Lord's side. Every family member is to be consecrated to God's service, drawn together and depending on Christ alone for salvation. This restoration of God's people is given for encouragement in the closing work, to be fulfilled when His people are out of the cities, before the work is closed up and the sealing is finished, with the outpouring of the Spirit and angels from heaven in the midst.

Spiritual Refreshment in Life

The barren, waterless place becoming fertile, with water, grass, reeds and rushes where jackals once rested, is a promise of the future state becoming visible in people's lives even in this world. This transformation describes the lives and influence of God's workers when they cooperate with Him, for He works in people to bring about the promised change. It belongs to the Lord's work, and all honor for it is due to God and not to the people through whom He works.

Obedient love expressed through willing effort in God's service is like streams bringing life to a desert. The work may at first seem daunting, but workers gain courage as they move forward. Truth and love, when welcomed into the heart, refresh others with life-giving water and bring new life where there was barrenness. The love of Christ in the heart refreshes others like a stream in a desert, changing a sear and barren wilderness into green pasture where flowers grow.

The desert springs picture the spiritual nourishment found in God's Word. Without the Word of God this world is as desolate as a wilderness to the soul and people would be starving, for without it the world is barren to the soul. When hearts are in harmony with it the Word is plain and clear, breaking out as springs of water in the desert, living streams proceeding from the throne of God that may be drunk. To the earthly mind the Bible gives no pleasure and is a desolate wilderness. To the mind renewed by the Holy Spirit divine beauty and celestial light shine from the sacred page, and it becomes a land of living streams, so what seems barren becomes beautiful and life-giving.