Isa 35:3-8 | TNotes | STEP | 35:3 Tired hands and weak knees express discouragement and anxiety (see Heb 12:12 ).

35:3 ^a Tired hands and weak knees express discouragement and anxiety (see Heb 12:12 ^b).
35:4 ^c do not fear: The Lord here assures his people of his presence and purpose (see also 7:4 ^d; 10:24 ^e; 40:9 ^f; 43:1 ^g; 44:2 ^h; 54:4 ⁱ).

• The essence of the good news is that God is coming to save his people (see also 40:9 ^j; 52:7 ^k; 62:11 ^l). God’s coming brings spiritual transformation as well as rescue from enemies.
35:5 ^m eyes ... ears: There will be a transformation from spiritual blindness and deafness to understanding and knowing God (6:10 ⁿ; 29:18 ^o; 32:3 ^p; 42:7 ^q; see also Luke 7:22 ^r; Acts 26:18 ^s).
35:6 ^t The lame ... those who cannot speak: All disabilities will be removed (see Matt 11:5 ^u; 12:22 ^v; Mark 7:37 ^w; Acts 3:7-8 ^x).
35:8 ^y The imagery of the great road recalls Israel’s crossing through the Red Sea (51:10 ^z).

• Only holy and undefiled people will share the Highway of Holiness. God’s goal in salvation is that humans will share in his character and act as he does (see Eph 5:1-2 ^aa; 1 Pet 2:21 ^ab).