Isaiah 35:8-9 KJV, “(8) 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. (9) No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there”
I can picture in my mind a highway. A highway that is sure. It is safe from danger or harm and free from any doubt as to where it leads. The scripture says that even wayfaring men (or people who are unsettled and spiritually unstable) wouldn’t get lost on this highway. It also states that even fools (or quarrelsome people who despise wisdom) will not get lost on it. But only the redeemed will make it on this highway. Those that are unclean and impure will not pass by on this highway. The Hebrew Lexicon references “redeemed” to the “kinsman-redeemer”. “A kinsman- redeemer was a male relative who, according to various laws found in the Pentateuch, had the privilege or responsibility to act for a relative who was in trouble, danger, or need of vindication. The unique emphasis of the redemption/salvation/vindication associated with the kinsman-redeemer is the fact that this action is carried out by a kinsman on behalf of a near relative in need. This idea is most clearly illustrated in the Book of Ruth.”a in our case, Jesus is our kinsman-redeemer. He stepped in and took care of our debt of sin so that we could have the privilege of traveling on the Highway of Holiness.
Holiness in this verse (according to the Hebrew Lexicon) is defined as apartness, sacredness, separateness. 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 KJV says, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate , saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” In verses 14-16 of this same chapter, it talks about being unequally yoked or keeping company with those who are unbelievers or as the Hebrew Lexicon says, “deceitful, untrustworthy, unfaithful, unbelieving and faithless.”
Now the Merriam-Webster defines “holiness” as “the quality or state of being holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16 says, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” The conversation in this verse means more than just how we speak. It means that everything that we do…the way we speak, act, dress…should reflect holiness. I once heard a definition of holiness that said: “Holiness is conforming to the will and nature of God”. And, I have also heard it said that “Holiness is an outward expression of an inward experience.” Holiness is all these and more.
Now as elementary as it may sound, what is a highway? The Merriam-Webster defines it as “a main direct road”. Think about it! The Highway of Holiness is a main direct road of living a dedicated, holy, pure lifestyle that reflects the holiness of God in everything that we do.
And for those who may think that holiness is not all that important in this area or that area of their life…Hebrews 12:14 states that without holiness, no man shall see the Lord. And, in Isaiah 35, it states that the unclean (or unholy) shall not pass over the Highway of Holiness. There is no by-pass or detour to make it to heaven. We MUST travel the Highway of Holiness to get there. We stow away on someone else’s holiness…we have to have it down in our own heart. And, it has to overflow from inside our heart to the outside. We wouldn’t think twice about drinking from a cup that is caked with dirt on the inside and out. No, we would wash the inside out and let the water and soap overflow and cleanse the outside too. We have to get holiness deep down into our hearts and let it begin to overflow and cleanse us on the outside also.
Hebrews 12:9-17 KJV, “(9) Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? (10) For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure ; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. (11) Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby (12) Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; (13) And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. (14) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: (15) Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; (16) Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. (17) For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected : for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.”
Sometimes, the Word of God, our Pastors and Men/Women of God may bring forth words that chasten us. Just as when you were a child, your parents had to chasten you to obey. God uses these to chasten you to obey. God chastens us out of love and a desire to see us prosper and be a part of the redeemed that travel on the Highway of Holiness. Yeah, it may not be joyous and seemingly grievous or painful, but, when all is said and done it will produce the fruit of righteousness in our lives. Like it says in the NIRV (verses 12-13), “So lift your sagging arms. Strengthen your weak knees. Make level paths for your feet to walk on.” You don’t want to be as Esau…selling out for just a lousy morsel when you could have so much more. Verse 17 states that afterward, Esau could have inherited a blessing but was rejected. And he found no place of repentance…though he sought it carefully with tears. Esau craved to have that blessing. But, because he didn’t take his birthright seriously in the first place, he lost out on the blessing. The redeemed are by spiritual birth the children of God. We need to take that birthright seriously. Don’t lose out on the opportunity to travel on the Highway of Holiness by throwing away your birthright for the little morsel that the world offers…That little morsel that only brings you pleasure and happiness for a season. But when that season is over…it will leave you lonely and traveling down the dusty dirt road of despair.
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