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This text is a prophecy of the return of Israel from Babylon after their captivity. We find from the history of Ezra how the little remnant that set out from Babylon was brought safely to Jerusalem. Their way from Babylon was a striking picture of our way to the heavenly home that is promised to us.

I. MARK THE WAYS OF GOD AS MYSTERIOUS WAYS; that is, not understood by the light of nature, or of intellect.

1. God's children by nature are blind (Ephesians 2:3; Psalm 13:3).

2. We cannot understand savingly a single truth of God's Word by our own light, inquiry, teaching, application. We know not the nature of sin, nor God as a God of pardon, peace, and hope.

3. We continue blind until each step is unfolded to our view, and spiritual apprehension clears our way (1 Corinthians 2:9, 10).

4. Blind also to the way God is really dealing with His children.

II. View GOD'S WAYS AS MERCIFUL LEADINGS. "I will make darkness light before them." "All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth" All! Some clearly in sunshine. But how is it in trial, when He thwarts instead of indulges?. There may be times when we are unable to see what is the next step to take. Watch the Lord s time. Wait at the throne of grace. Don't forget that trial is God's appointed mercy. There is mercy in the end, if not in the beginning. By our not seeing our way we are taught to live by faith.

III. THE WISDOM OF HIS DEALINGS. "I will make crooked things straight," etc. Solomon asks (Ecclesiastes 7:13) who can make the crooked straight? Why, none but God. Many of God's ways in providence and in grace seem to us very crooked, but we must trust, and judge of them by the end. Job, Joseph, etc. Judge God in His own way and wait. Out of apparent confusion comes real order. Apparent severity shows itself to be real kindness.

IV. GOD'S DEALINGS ARE FAITHFUL. "These things will I do... and not forsake them." Think of the character of Him who makes the promise.

(C. Bridges.)

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KJV: And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

WEB: I will bring the blind by a way that they don't know. I will lead them in paths that they don't know. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. I will do these things, and I will not forsake them.