There is an intriguing passage of scripture in the 35th chapter of Isaiah that, in my opinion, is a prophetic admonition to a people other than Israel. It may be a G-d inspired assignment for the righteous of the nations in their relationship with Jews within Israel and in the diaspora. I think the prophet Isaiah may be speaking of a futuristic time—our time?—in which the Jews return to the land of Israel after 2,000 years and consequently face great hardship both inside and outside of the land. Here is the first portion of the passage:

“The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our G-d” (Isaiah 35:1-2).

To me, the first two verses of Isaiah 35 speak of the regathering of Jews to their land of promise. When Jews began immigrating in large numbers in 1882 they faced the daunting task of cultivating a dry and desolate wilderness. Since then, the land has blossomed abundantly, fulfilling the word of G-d spoken through the prophet Isaiah. Verse 10 of Isaiah 35 seems to confirm this wilderness experience will coincide with a great regathering of Jews to the land:

“And the ransomed of the Lord........

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