Sunday, July 7, 2013

Less Traveled Highway!


In our modern day a high way brings to our mind wide, straight paved roads, where the   vehicles will be traveling at a high speed. In ancient times when we say high way it specifies road where travelers travel probably in donkeys and other animals which could be used to move around to get the task done.  Ancient Romans regularly rode on stuffed pad saddles or pieces of cloth folded as to form a pad of comfortable thickness and was made secure by one or more girths. Travel in ancient Greece includes very often travel by foot, cart, chariot, and ship.

In ancient cities there were often special roads, and also high ways which only Kings and Priests could use. During Biblical times of Assyrian invasion, the high ways are not at all safe, and those who journey in those roads will be often attacked and they were plundered of their goods. The Assyrians not only ravaged the land, destroyed the crops, but really made the high way very unsafe to travel.


      Definition of highway (n)

1. Main road: a principal road, especially one that connects towns or cities and is part of a numbered system

2. Direct way: a direct route or course


In this article we are going to compare modern high way to, the high way what the Prophet Isaiah is talking about! He is comparing the high way, as a way which is not commonly used by people because the standards to move in that is high, and we are called to walk in that high way of holiness. To move in that high way it is not possible with our strength, but God’s call is for every one who believes in Him to walk in that high way.  Prophet Isaiah is saying when Messiah rules, all of His people will be invited to use this high way whether one is a priest, King, or an ordinary person. God is our Father and he is impartial and the invitation is to all!

A highway shall be there, and a road and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness.
The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for others; whoever walks the road, although a fool shall not go astray
”; Isa: 35:8. Isaiah is expressing in this verse one of his favorite themes: that is the high way of holiness! The way of godliness here is called the way of holiness. The way of holiness is the way of God’s commandments, where the unclean will not be able to walk, but the redeemed shall walk in that road.
 
The road of redemption, the highway to heaven, is a restricted road, being only for the redeemed, who have been ransomed through the blood of Christ. “Blessed [is] the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; Psa: 1:1. The word translated as ungodly signifies unsettled, having no fixed focuses, and follows every lust and wishes of their heart. When a righteous man sees this he looks at it with a sad heart and he does not want to walk in that road. If one really wants to walk in that less traveled high way they do not take their measures from the living patterns of the world. Instead they want to please God in their lives and want to know what the Living word of God wants them to do.  In other words there are many other roads and highways where the sinners can walk, which break out into open rebellion against God. 

What is the way to God?
Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way? Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:5, 6. Not two ways, but one; the way shall be a highway, a way cast up, raised, and "elevated" this is to be understood principally of Christ, the only way of life and salvation; and of the lesser paths of duty and ordinances.

As such the idea is that those who are on this road will not go astray despite their own foolishness. In other words those who walk in this high way have eternal security! Despite one's folly, such a person who want to walk in that high way will inevitably repent and not stray from the path altogether. Such is the natural behavior of God's sheep. "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand." John 10:27, 28. Jesus Christ is perfectly holy in nature and life, born of a woman and yet without sin. Christ leads his people in paths of righteousness; in the paths of truth, of ordinances, and of worship, public and private, all which are holy. This is a very narrow path, the real ‘high way’ and only very few will find this way.

Applying the above truth to our real life situations below are some questions to our heart.
  1. If we would compare our spiritual journey on a road, are we really going on that high way?
  2. As we travel in this high way, how do we feel? Do we feel really lonely? Do we feel safer?
  3. There are many roads, and many other high ways! How sure are we that we are on the right high way spiritually?

God rescued Judah from Assyrians and redeemed His people in the past. Would He not keep His promises to His people in the future and establish His glorious Kingdom for His chosen people? With great relief we will enter the presence of God holy and blameless and as such we will be filled with joy. For the times of sorrow, sighing and suffering which is temporary will pass away and we will be in peace in eternity. "For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all." 1Tim 2:5, 6.
 
References: 

1. Dr. Ed Murphy. The Handbook for Spiritual Warfare. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1992, 1996, pgs: 432-436.
2. Jay E. Adams. Critical Stages of Biblical Counseling, Finishing Well, Breaking Through, Getting Started.  New Jersey: Zondervan, 2002.
3. Jay E. Adams. How to Help People Change, The Four-step Biblical Process. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1986.
4. John F. MacArthur, JR. Wayne A. Mack & The Master’s College Faculty. Introduction To Biblical Counseling, A Basic Guide To The Principles And Practice Of Counseling. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1994.
5. Jay E. Adams. Lectures on Counseling. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1978, p.192-203.
6. The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Women of Destiny Bible. Women Mentoring women Through the Scriptures, A Spirit Filled Life Bible. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1982.
7. Warren W. Wiersbe. Devotions for comfort & Hope, Hebrews & John. Colorado, Springs, Colorado: Honor Books, @2006.


Website References:

        1. John 1 NKJV - The Eternal Word - In the beginning was - Bible Gateway

The Eternal Word. 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through ...

   2. 1 John 1 NKJV - What Was Heard, Seen, and Touched - Bible Gateway

What Was Heard, Seen, and Touched. 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our ...

  3. John 1 New King James Version | The New Bible.com

Bible.com is all new! Enjoy a free online Bible from You Version. Now, the simple, ad-free Bible experience loved by millions is available at Bible.com.

        4. Highway - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highway
A highway is any public road or other public way on land; the term exists in distinction to waterway. In North American and Australian English, the term frequently ..
What is a highway? That may sound like a silly question, but the quality of highways can vary immensely within and between counties. Here are some things to expect.

       6. Isaiah 35:8 And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way ...

biblehub.com/isaiah/35-8.htm
New International Version (©2011) And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way.
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 ...

        8. Isaiah 35:8-10 KJV - And an highway shall be there, and a - Bible ...

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 ...

        9. Isaiah 35:8-10 - BCBSR - The Berean Christian Bible Study ...

Highway to Heaven Isaiah 35:8-10 A highway shall be there, and a road, And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, But it ...

       10. Isaiah 35:8 Commentary - John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Read Isaiah 35:8 commentary using John Gill's Exposition of the Bible. Study the bible online using commentary on Isaiah 35:8 and more!

No comments:

Post a Comment