Geneva Study Bible The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. The {a} wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.
(a) He prophecies of the full restoration of the Church both of the Jews and Gentiles under Christ, which will be fully accomplished at the last day: although as yet it is compared to a desert and wilderness. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the excellence of {b} Carmel and Sharon, they shall {c} see the glory of the LORD, and the excellence of our God.
(b) The Church which was before compared to a barren wilderness will by Christ be made most plenteous and beautiful. (c) He shows that the presence of God is the reason that the Church brings forth fruit and flourishes. Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. {d} Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.
(d) He wills all to encourage one another, and especially the ministers to exhort and strengthen the weak, that they may patiently abide the coming of God, which is at hand. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with {e} vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.
(e) To destroy your enemies. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the eyes of the {f} blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
(f) When the knowledge of Christ is revealed. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing: for in the {g} wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.
(g) They who were barren and destitute of the graces of God, will have them given by Christ. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.
And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of {h} holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it {i} shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err in it.
(h) It will be for the saints of God and not for the wicked. (i) God will lead and guide them, alluding to the bringing forth of Egypt. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: No lion shall be there, nor any {k} ravenous beast shall go up on it, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:
(k) As he threatens the wicked with destruction by this, Isa 30:6. And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. And the {l} ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (l) Whom the Lord will deliver from the captivity of Babylon. The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599] Bible Hub |
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