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The wilderness and the dry land will be glad. The desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose.
Verse 1. Lily. Judea flourishes under Ezechias: but the Church does more so after the coming of Christ, to whom these expressions conduct us. Calmet.—The Gentiles shall be converted and flourish, as this text shews. Worthington.
It will blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing. Lebanon’s glory will be given to it, the excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the LORD’s glory, the excellence of our God.
Verse 2. Joy. The primitive Christians rejoiced in a good conscience, and in suffering for the truth.
Strengthen the weak hands, and make the feeble knees firm.
Verse 3. Knees. Ye prophets, comfort the people with these promises. Calmet.—The apostles taught the Gentiles to do good. Menochius.
Tell those who have a fearful heart, “Be strong! Don’t be afraid! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, God’s retribution. He will come and save you.
Verse 4. Recompense. Christ will satisfy the justice of his Father. Bible.—He will redeem the world, and refute the false interpretations of the Bible. Calmet.—He will bring the devil into subjection. Menochius.
Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped.
Then the lame man will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing; for waters will break out in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.
Verse 6. Free. Our Saviour healed both soul and body, ( Calmet.) shewing by his works (John 10. Worthington.) that he had fulfilled this prediction. Lu. 7:22. Matthew 11:5.—Waters. Baptism has sanctified the most wicked.
The burning sand will become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water. Grass with reeds and rushes will be in the habitation of jackals, where they lay.
Verse 7. Dragons. Sea monsters. Calmet. 34:13. Calmet.—All shall be in proper order, neither too dry nor too wet. Bible.
A highway will be there, a road, and it will be called “The Holy Way”. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it will be for those who walk in the Way. Wicked fools shall not go there.
Verse 8. Way, leading to Jerusalem. Idolaters, and so forth shall not be there. Calmet. 52:1. This was only verified ( Calmet.) in the Catholic Church, where, though some wicked may be found, the truth still prevails; and holiness can be obtained no where else. Bible.—This Church is unspotted. Ephesians 5:27. Calmet.—Fools. The most simple may learn what is necessary for salvation, ( Menochius.) which will never be done by consulting Scripture alone. Bible.
No lion will be there, nor will any ravenous animal go up on it. They will not be found there; but the redeemed will walk there.
Verse 9. Lion. The devil’s power shall be repressed, so that none will be deluded except by their own fault. Menochius.
Then the LORD’s ransomed ones will return, and come with singing to Zion; and everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”
Verse 10. Sion. Before the defeat of Sennacherib, the roads were unsafe. Calmet. 38:8. Calmet.