Reading for June 8th

Read Isaiah 35.1-10. In 35.1-10: The triumph of Zion. In verses 1-4: In contrast to the grim and forbidding warnings of ch. 34, ch. 35 presents a picture of the hope that awaits the people of God when they rebuild the land of Judah and re-establish Jerusalem as their capital. It will be a fitting place to which all the scattered survivors of Israel can return. This chapter, without a clear historical context, may have been add to link chs. 40-55 with chs. 5-34. In verses 5-10: The hope for the speacial eminence that will come to Jerusalem (Zion) is consistent with chs. 60-62. The theme of the highway by which the scattered survivors of the nation will be enabled to return to their homeland (940.1) is anticipated in v. 8 (see also 19.23). The opening up of pools in the wilderness alludes to the promise of 41.17-18, while opening of eyes and ears (v. 5) marks the end of the time of Israel's blindness and deafness (compare 6.9-10). Chapter 35 summarizes and concludes chs. 5-34, with their many threats and warnings, and opens the path to the more consistently hopeful message of chs. 40-66. Chapters 36-39 bridge these two major collections by reporting a triunphanst sign of hope for Judah at the close of the eighth century. Comments or Questions..