THE HIGHWAY OF HOLINESS

A highway shall be there, and a road,

 And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness.  (Isaiah 35:8a)

This passage has a prophetic interpretation that carries with it practical implications.  It is a description of a future time when Christ comes again and establishes His Kingdom in the Millennium.  Israel will return to the Promised Land, traveling the Highway of Holiness.  The nation will be redeemed and their hopes restored when Messiah reigns in Zion.  We are not wrong, however, to see a broader application for all the redeemed of all the ages.  Abiding spiritual truths are found even in texts that specifically apply to the Jews in a coming day.  Paul said this,

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.  (2 Tim.3:16-17)

So, there is truth for our time in this text.  I am reminded of Bunyan’s classic, “Pilgrim’s Progress,” which allegorically portrays “Christian,” on his way out of sin, through the wilderness of this world, and at last arriving in the Celestial City.

It is a HIGH WAY (Isa.35:8).  This indicates a raised street, clearly marked, so that even the simple cannot miss it or fools lose their way.  God has made His way of salvation simple—“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved….”  (Acts 16:31)

It is a HOLY WAY (Isa.35:8).  It is declared that the unclean shall not walk upon it.  True salvation demands real repentance—the impartation of grace to turn from our sin and unto the Savior. 

Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?
Or who may stand in His holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
Nor sworn deceitfully.  (Ps.24:3-4)

It is a HEALTHY WAY. 

No lion shall be there,

Nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it;

 It shall not be found there.  

But the redeemed shall walk there….”  (Isa.35:9) 

There is safety from the ravenous beast.  Scripture tells us Satan is a roaring lion intent on devouring us (1 Pet.5:8).  The reality is that in the work of Christ, he was defanged!  We are secure in Christ!   

It is a HAPPY WAY.

And the ransomed of the LORD shall return,

And come to Zion with singing,

With everlasting joy on their heads.

They shall obtain joy and gladness,

And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.  (Isa.35:10)

Of all people on this planet, none should sing so exuberantly and smile so broadly than followers of Jesus Christ!  Gladness should mark the child of the King.

It is a HEAVENLY WAY (v.10).  The Highway of Holiness ends in Zion.  Literally, that will be the renewed Jerusalem on earth for the Jews, but the saints will abide in the New Jerusalem above—the Heavenly City!  That will be our eternal abode. 

Jesus said there are two roads we may travel—and only two:

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.  Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.  (Matt.7:13-14)

Many are traveling the broad way of destruction.  The other way is less traveled and very narrow—the Highway of Holiness—but, at last it leads to Heaven.  There is nothing more important than that.