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One-sentence summary: There will be a highway of holiness for those who return to Zion, and only the righteous will walk on it.
The wilderness and the wasteland will be glad, and the desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose, with joy and singing. "They shall see the glory of the Lord, the excellency of our God... Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful hearted, 'Be strong; do not fear. Behold, your God will come with vengeance'... He will come and save you. Then, the eyes of the blind will be open, and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. Then, the lame will leap like a deer.. for water will burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. The parched ground will become a pool, and the thirsty land, springs of water... A highway will be there, and a road, and it will be called The Highway of Holiness." The unclean will not walk on it. Whoever walks on it- although a fool, will not go astray." There will be no lions or ravenous beasts, only the redeemed and ransomed of the Lord who come to Zion with singing, with "everlasting joy on their heads. They will obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing will flee away."
In the 14th year of King Hezekiah, the King of Assyria comes against all the cities of Judah and takes them. He sends an army with messengers to Hezekiah, and they are in a field. The Assyrians messengers say they are rebelling against the king and mock them for trusting in Egypt, but they also mock them for trusting the Lord. A representative tells them to pledge to the King of Assyria for 2,000 horses if they can provide the riders. They refuse to speak to Hezekiah's representatives in Hebrew so that the people can hear what they are saying and are very insulting. The representative of the king of Assyria tries to turn the people away from their king and God. He promises to take them to their own abundant land and tells them not to trust the Lord, saying no god has ever delivered any nation from Assyria. However, Hezekiah tells the people not to say a word, and they listen.
Thoughts/discussion questions:
The Lord's gospel has always been for the downtrodden and oppressed. If you are heartbroken, you are blessed. God will comfort you and strengthen you and give you joy.