Isa 35:4 “Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you.””

 

The word “BEHOLD” means to stare at, to look, and to see. Isaiah is telling Judah to watch God. Notice the context: “Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert,” Isa 35:3-6. This beautiful passage is full of promise and hope for a despondent people. God will soon come with a vengeance. They will be held accountable for their sins. The writer of the book of Hebrews penned, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” 10:31. God’s wrath is not something any person wants to experience. As Christians we prepare ourselves that our fear becomes joy when Christ returns “in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ,” 2Th 1:8.

In this Messianic passage (Isa. 35:3ff), The Lord is encouraging Judah that in those days He will come to save you. They will soon experience the 70 years of captivity, and then the return back to their lands, but will never enjoy the status that Israel had during the days of David and Solomon. But they will experience something far grander during the reign of the Messiah (verses 5-10). Watch what God will do. He will exercise vengeance on a rebellious Israel and Judah, but then will bring salvation to them.

In Isaiah 40:9, God through this prophet makes another Messianic promise, “O Zion, You who bring good tidings, get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, You who bring good tidings, lift up your voice with strength, lift it up, be not afraid; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” Out of Zion which is Jerusalem good tidings will come.” In the Greek, the word gospel is defined as good news, or good tidings. Again Isaiah said, “Watch God, He will bring good tidings from the mountain of Jerusalem. In Isa. 2 and Micah 4, both prophets prophesied that the law would come forth from Jerusalem which is prophecies of the same event (SEE ACTS 2). In this prophecy, Isaiah wrote that the “Lord God would come with a strong hand and shall rule…” which has to do with authority. He will have authority over all nations including Israel. But yet He will be like a Shepherd, “He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young” Isa 40:11. Though He has a mighty hand of authority, He is tender and kind as He works with His sheep. In these two passages the nature of God is demonstrated. The faithless and disobedient will see God’s wrath, while the faithful and obedient will enjoy His tender mercies. Isaiah is basically saying; JUST WATCH WHAT GOD IS GOING TO DO!