The Desert Will Blossom as the Rose
The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the excellency of our God.
Listen to the "Verse by Verse" episode covering this scripture.
In many places, the prophet Isaiah powerfully warns of the terrors and tribulations to come on the earth as a result of human sin and rebellion against our Creator (see Isaiah 34:1-9, for example). But Isaiah also poetically expresses the joy and beauty that will burst forth with the return of Jesus Christ, the Messiah and King of the Kingdom of God!
The Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary explains the references to Lebanon, Carmel and Sharon: “Lebanon’s glory is found, of course, in its wonderful cedars, while Carmel and the plain of Sharon that runs south from it are covered with trees and other plant life. The beauty and splendor of transformed nature will be seen as a reflection of the beauty and splendor of the Creator and Redeemer (cf. 40:5).”
To learn more about the coming millennial age and the changes it will bring to this earth, read “1,000 Years—the Millennium” and our free booklet The World to Come: What It Will Be Like.
