The phrase “The Highway of Holiness” comes from the Old Testament, specifically Isaiah 35:8, and it represents a spiritual path that leads to redemption, purity, and eternal life in the presence of God. This metaphorical “highway” is a way of life that is characterized by holiness, righteousness, and walking in God’s will. It is a path that God prepares for His people to travel on, leading them to His ultimate salvation and restoration.
1. Scriptural Reference: Isaiah 35:8
- Isaiah 35:8: “And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it.”
- This verse describes a “highway” that leads to Zion (the place of God’s presence) and will be reserved for those who are holy and have been redeemed by God. The unclean and wicked will not be able to travel on this path.
2. Context of Isaiah 35
The book of Isaiah contains prophecies of both judgment and restoration for Israel. Isaiah 35 is a chapter of hope, describing the restoration and joy that will come after a time of suffering and judgment. It envisions a time when God will bring renewal to His people and His creation, making a way for them to come back to Him.
- In the earlier verses of Isaiah 35, the prophet speaks of a desert that will bloom, streams of water flowing in parched lands, and the blind seeing and the lame walking. This is a picture of the transformation and healing that God will bring.
- The “Highway of Holiness” represents the way God will provide for His people to return to Him. It is a path marked by righteousness, and only the redeemed can walk on it.
3. Characteristics of the Highway of Holiness
A. A Path of Purity and Righteousness
The “Highway of Holiness” is a path that can only be traveled by those who are holy—set apart by God and cleansed from sin. It is not a path for the wicked or the unclean.
- Isaiah 35:8: “The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it.”
- This reflects the biblical principle that holiness is necessary to approach God. Holiness is not just about external behavior but about a heart that is aligned with God’s will and purpose.
- Hebrews 12:14: “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
- Holiness is essential for those who desire to walk in fellowship with God and ultimately dwell in His presence.
B. A Way Prepared by God
The “Highway of Holiness” is a way prepared by God for His people. It is not something humans create or achieve on their own but is the result of God’s grace and guidance.
- Isaiah 40:3: “A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’”
- This prophecy, later applied to John the Baptist in preparing the way for Jesus, speaks of God making a way for people to return to Him. God takes the initiative to create this path of salvation.
C. A Path of Safety and Protection
The highway is described as a place of safety, where the redeemed are protected from harm.
- Isaiah 35:9: “No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there.”
- The imagery of dangerous animals being absent on this highway suggests that those who walk on this path are under God’s protection. The journey to God’s presence is secure for those who walk in holiness.
D. A Path of Joy and Gladness
The journey on the “Highway of Holiness” leads to joy and gladness. Those who walk on this path are the redeemed, and their destination is the presence of God, where there is eternal joy.
- Isaiah 35:10: “And those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”
- The highway leads to Zion, which symbolizes the presence of God and the ultimate fulfillment of His promises. For the redeemed, this journey is filled with rejoicing, and the sorrows of the past are replaced with eternal joy.
4. Spiritual Significance of the Highway of Holiness
The “Highway of Holiness” has a deeper spiritual significance for believers, representing the journey of faith, sanctification, and ultimate salvation.
A. A Call to Holiness
The concept of holiness is central to the Christian life. God calls His people to be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:16). Walking on the “Highway of Holiness” means living a life that reflects God’s righteousness and purity.
- 1 Peter 1:15-16: “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’”
- Holiness involves being set apart for God’s purposes, rejecting sin, and pursuing godliness in every area of life.
B. The Path to Eternal Life
For Christians, the “Highway of Holiness” points to the journey toward eternal life in God’s presence. Through Jesus Christ, believers are made holy and are able to walk this path.
- John 14:6: “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”
- Jesus is the way to eternal life, and through His sacrifice, believers are made righteous. He is the one who makes the “Highway of Holiness” accessible to those who believe in Him.
C. The Journey of Sanctification
The Christian life is often described as a journey of sanctification, where believers are progressively made more holy through the work of the Holy Spirit. Walking the “Highway of Holiness” involves this process of being transformed into the image of Christ.
- Philippians 1:6: “Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
- God is at work in every believer, making them holy and guiding them on the path toward their final destination in His presence.
5. Conclusion: Walking on the Highway of Holiness
The “Highway of Holiness” is both a literal promise for God’s people in Isaiah’s prophecy and a spiritual metaphor for the Christian journey of faith and sanctification. It is a path that God prepares, and only those who are made holy through Christ can walk on it. This path leads to eternal joy, safety, and the presence of God, where all sorrow and pain will be removed. For Christians today, walking on this highway means living a life of holiness, relying on God’s grace, and following Jesus, the way to eternal life.