Isaiah 35:6 - Commentary Summary

Isaiah 35:6 reads: "Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert."

Contextual Overview

This verse resides within a passage that speaks of the future redemption and restoration of God’s people. It emphasizes the transformative power of God’s salvation, illustrated through miraculous healings and natural rejuvenation.

Matthew Henry's Insights

Matthew Henry highlights the profound joy that accompanies divine healing and restoration. He notes that the physical ailments (like lameness and dumbness) symbolize spiritual disabilities. The healing mentioned points not only to physical restoration but also to spiritual revival.

• The Lame Man Leaping: Henry explains that the "lame man" signifies those who are weak and hindered, and in receiving God’s grace, they are uplifted and restored, reflecting the joy of salvation.
• The Tongue of the Dumb Singing: The inability to speak represents a life devoid of praise and testimony. With divine intervention, there is an outpouring of worship. This signifies that salvation transforms not just the body but the entire being.
• Waters in the Wilderness: This imagery serves to show that God provides abundantly, even in desolate places. The streams in the desert symbolize the life-giving action of the Holy Spirit, bringing forth revival where there was once barrenness.

Albert Barnes' Commentary

Albert Barnes offers further elucidation on the hope inherent within Isaiah’s prophetic message. He discusses the idea of miraculous occurrences that herald the coming of the Messiah and the blessings of His kingdom.

• The Significance of Healing: Barnes emphasizes that these miracles are foreshadows of Christ’s ministry, where physical healing often serves as a metaphor for spiritual restoration.
• Symbolism of the Desert: The contrast between wilderness and waters illustrates God’s ability to intervene in our most hopeless situations, replenishing spiritual droughts with His grace.
• Hope for the Restoration of Israel: This verse encapsulates God’s promises to Israel, offering assurance that despite their current state, He is orchestrating a future where joy and vitality return.

Adam Clarke's Interpretation

Adam Clarke presents a detailed examination of the prophetic implications of this verse. He draws parallels between the physical healings and the greater work of redemption.

• The Restoration Theme: Clarke points out that these transformations reflect not just an immediate context but extended implications of the Gospel through the ages.
• Reflections on Faith: The ability of the lame to leap and the dumb to sing is an expression of the faith that the coming Messiah would inspire among the people. It emphasizes God’s covenant faithfulness in restoring His people.
• Metaphor of Waters: Clarke indicates that the mention of waters breaking out in the wilderness symbolizes the outpouring of the Gospel and blessings that Christ brings to a spiritually barren world.

Conclusion

Isaiah 35:6 serves as a poignant reminder that God's promises transcend the immediate, touching on both physical and spiritual restoration. The combined insights from Matthew Henry, Albert Barnes, and Adam Clarke provide a rich tapestry that reveals the depth of God's intentions for His people. For pastors, students, theologians, and scholars, this verse encapsulates profound theological truths about salvation and restoration, encouraging believers to trust in God's overwhelming ability to bring life and joy from desolation.