A Desolate Land Rejoices

Isaiah's inspired prophecy of Paradise restored begins with these words: "The wilderness and the waterless region will exult, and the desert plain will be joyful and blossom as the saffron.  Without fail it will blossom, and it will really be joyful with joyousness and with glad crying out.  The glory of Lebanon itself must be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and of Sharon. There will be those who will see the glory of Jehovah, the splendor of out God." -Isaiah 35:1, 2.

Isaiah writes these words about the year 732 B.C.E. Some 125 years later, the Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and the people of Judah are sent into exile.  Their homeland is left uninhabited, desolated.  (2 Kings 25:8-11, 21-26) In this way Jehovah's warning that the people of Israel would go into exile if they proved unfaithful is fulfilled.  (Deuteronomy 28:15, 36, 37; 1 Kings 9:6-8)  When the Hebrew nations becomes captive in a foreign land, their well-irrigated fields and orchards are left unattended for 70 years and become like a wilderness. -Isaiah 64:10; Jeremiah 4:23-27; 9:10-12.

However, Isaiah's prophecy foretells that  the land will not be desolate forever.  It will be restored to a veritable paradise.  "The glory of Lebanon" and  "the splendor of Carmel and of Sharon" will be given to it.  How?  Upon their return from exile, the Jews are again able to cultivate and irrigate their fields, and their land returns to the rich fruitfulness that it had before.  For this, credit can go only to Jehovah.  It is by his will and with his support and blessing that the Jews get to  enjoy such paradise like conditions.  People are able to see "the glory of Jehovah, the splendor of [their] God" when they acknowledge  Jehovah's hand in the amazing transformation of their land.

Nevertheless, in the restored land of Israel, there is a more important fulfillment of Isaiah's words.  In a spiritual sense, Israel has been in a dry, desert like state for many years.  While the exiles were in Babylon, pure worship  was severely restricted.  There was no temple, no altar, and no organized  priesthood.  Daily sacrifices were suspended.  Now, Isaiah prophesies a reversal.  Under the leadership of such men as Zerubbabel , Ezra, and Nehemiah, representatives from all 12 tribes of Israel return to Jerusalem, rebuild the temple, and worship Jehovah freely.  (Ezra 2:1, 2) This is indeed a spiritual paradise!

Next time: Aglow With the Spirit

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, 2000