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Isaiah 35 · a question people ask

Who is told, "Be strong! Don't be afraid!"?

In the text

The chapter names them only by their fear: "Tell those who have a fearful heart" (35:4). It doesn't name who speaks, or who is to do the telling: "Strengthen the weak hands, and make the feeble knees firm" (35:3) is said to hearers the chapter doesn't name. It speaks of "our God" (35:2) and "your God" (35:4). The words to be told end with "the LORD’s ransomed ones" who "will return, and come with singing to Zion" (35:10). The chapter names no people and gives no date, and these notes apply its words to no people today.

The verses

“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. Strengthen the weak hands, and make the feeble knees firm. 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.”
Isaiah 35:2-4 · World English Bible
“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.””
Isaiah 35:10 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Isaiah 35

Isaiah 35: The Holy Way

Isaiah 35 has chapter 34's words: both have a "habitation of jackals" (34:13, 35:7) and both have streams (34:9, 35:6). In the WEB everything from 35:4's "Be strong!" to the end is what the fearful are to be told. And when Jesus said "Ephphatha!" (Mark 7:34) to a deaf man, it was said of him, "He makes even the deaf hear and the mute speak!" (Mark 7:37).

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions