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.
Isaiah 35:8 KJV
After the fall of man, the majority of the World has gone in their own way, doing what seems right to them. As a result, most of humanity has the wrath of God resting upon them, John 3:36. Yet in all generations there have been those who go against the tide to follow a path least travelled, escaping this judgement. Jeremiah 6:16 says Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. This verse implies that there are many ways or paths people take, but there is one good way and it needs to be sought after. It is a singular way that leads to rest for the soul. The word used for highway in Isaiah 35:8 is mas-lool’ . This is gotten from the root word ‘Salal” which means to lift up. This means the way is an upward call. The unclean cannot go there. It is called a highway of holiness. Men of old like Enoch, Abel, Abraham all sought after this way, counting themselves as pilgrims. So also, the question “Where is the good way?” should be at the forefront of all who seek rest for their souls in this time.
In today’s meditation, we will explore Isaiah 35 with an intent to learn of the men (male and female) who go through this path. Isaiah 35:8 shows that the people of this way are called the wayfaring men. The wayfaring men are simply those who are committed to walking the road. Acts 9:1-2 and 24:14 shows that those who are unlearned and against the way due to misunderstanding, persecute those of the way. Because this way is less travelled and located in the wilderness, where very few ever pass, the people of the way are always misunderstood, persecuted, hated and despised. The wilderness if often where God chooses as a training ground to raise His own. In the beginning, Christians were not called ‘Christians’, this was a derogatory name. They called themselves the people of the way. 2 Peter 2:2-3, 21-22 shows that this way of truth will be ill spoken of by people who have strayed away from the right way, their brethren. Anyone who will walk in this way must have this settled in their heart.
The men of this way are those who came escaped the judgment of God upon all humanity, John 3:16-18. Knowing the wrath of God, they have learned to fear Him. These are people who are inquiring in the midst of the widely embraced darkness, Lord “where is that Way“? It was said of Jesus that he prayed and was heard because he feared, Hebrews 5:7. The fear of the Lord is a major characteristic of these way faring men. These men also know where they are coming from and where they are going, like Jesus in John 8:14. For this reason their heart is always on the way. They are a people that follow the Lamb wherever He leads. They know how to follow directions. Although they have not known the intricate details of this way, they know the one who owns and leads pilgrims in the way. They are so excited about this way that it is all they talk about and think about. Like Hebrews 11:13-15 says that these men are not even mindful or consider what they left for this way as worthy of their thinking. If they do, they would have multiple opportunities to go back. Instead, they are seeking the reward for all the wayfaring men, a city, whose builder and foundation is God. A place where righteousness, peace and Joy resides.
These men are a separated people! They are jealous of their identity with Christ and would not bear another name. What separates them is that they have a heart for the Word of God. They adore and tremble at the Word of God, Isaiah 66:1-2. Any where they see the Word of God get preached, their spirit man is excited about it. They tremble at the Word of God and never treat it flippantly. Two kinds of people came out of Egypt: the wayfarers and the vagabond or wonderers. From the time Israel came out, the Lord called them a mixed multitude, Exodus 12:38. They are wonderers whose lot is to be buried in the wilderness. However, the wayfarers shall be glad in the wilderness. Only the wayfarers can know the blossoming of the desert. Only God can do this; transforming a desert into a fruitful ground, rejoicing with Joy and singing. The Lord is coming back again for those who diligently seek and choose to follow Him till the end. May the Lord give us the Wisdom and heart to steadfastly seek this way. To all who seek, it is written, And you ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk ye in it,” when ye turn to the right hand and when ye turn to the left”, Isaiah 30:21.
Prayer for today: Lord Jesus, thank you for being a pattern for me and all who choose to be separate from all the ungodliness on the earth, seeking the way of Holiness. Lord today, I choose to answer this upward call of holiness. Help me to keep coming up higher and deeper. Give me the diligence to pause and seek Your way at all times, that each junction of life, I may hear your voice saying "This is the way, walk in it". Amen.
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