Isaiah 35:10 - Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary

See how the blessings of redemption, in the gifts of the Holy Ghost, are beautifully set forth, under the similitude of rivers and streams of water. And when that Holy Spirit came down, agreeably to our Lord's own blessed promise, on the day of Pentecost; and ever since, when he comes down on the souls of his people, is not the Spirit poured out from on high, which makes every plant in the garden of Jesus to flourish? What is that river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God, but God in his threefold character of persons; Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; from whom, as from an ocean, all the streams of spiritual life, grace, comfort, and consolation flow? I pray the Reader to consult some of the numberless scriptures where these truths abound; Psalms 46:4; John 7:37-39; Isaiah 55:1; John 4:10-14; Revelation 22:1-2. Reader! do not fail to remark, how full a blessings this chapter is, in promises to the redeemed. The close of the chapter forms indeed a short, but comprehensive description of the safety and felicity of the Church, until grace is consummated in glory. There shall be a way for the redeemed to come; and this shall be an highway; a way not to be mistaken: in which there shall be no lion nor ravenous beast. Every redeemed soul shall travel it; the unclean shall not pass it; but the wayfaring man shall not err in finding it, however weak in other things his understanding may be. And the whole ransomed shall pass it, and sing the song of redemption, with everlasting joy, when sorrow and sighing is done away forever. And who doth not see in all this, the whole outlines of redemption plainly marked? Jesus is the way, and the truth, and the life. And as none cometh to the Father but by him; so all and everyone that doth come, he will in no wise east out, John 14:6 and John 6:37. And Jesus is the highway, and the way of holiness; for the holiness of his redeemed is in him, and by him. And what is an highway, but a way open to travelers? Every poor traveler to Zion can go no other way; neither will the king of it, even Jesus, suffer such as are asking the way to Zion, with their faces thitherward, to err in the way. Saw ye him whom my soul loveth? They shall hear a voice behind them, saying, This is the way, walk ye it, when ye turn to the right hand and when ye turn to the left. Neither shall that roving lion, the devil, overcome, nor even exercise the travelers in this way unnecessarily. Jesus hath conquered him for them; and will finally conquer him in them. One perpetual song belongs to the redeemed; and, saith this scripture, they shall sing it in their coming and return. Reader, by way of confirmation, turn to those scriptures, Jeremiah 50:4-5; Song of Solomon 3:3; Isaiah 30:21; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Revelation 7:9 to the end.