The Desert Blooms and the Ransomed Travel a Holy Way

Wilderness and desert rejoice, and fearful hearts are told to be strong because God comes with vengeance and salvation

The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. 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.

Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. 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. Chapter 34's waste is answered with bloom. Vengeance here is God's saving arrival for the fearful, not a human campaign, not a map of Edom, and not a guarantee that every desert you know must now flower on demand.

Opened senses, streams in the sand, and a highway the unclean and the lion do not use

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 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. 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. 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: 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.

Opened eyes, ears, legs, and tongues are restoration images reversing desolation and fear. They do not blame disabled people, guarantee present cure, or make disability a symbol of personal sin. The holy way is safe passage for the ransomed to Zion with song, not a purity police for bodies, and not a modern land deed.