Their roots are destroyed. Their faith is shaken. God appears to be done, having left them alone and afraid. But then Isaiah begins to envision a time of joy and gladness because of what the Lord will do for the people. Some scholars think this chapter better fits with the material around Isaiah 40 which depicts a time when the suffering is ended.
Water is so scarce in that part of the world even today.
If there is a stream of water there will always be some scrub trees around it. And in the springtime after the winter rains there will be just a few weeks when the flowers bloom and are absolutely beautiful there in the wilderness. The whole Bible is the story of God s saving acts in history, from Genesis to Revelation. In celebration of what God has done and is doing in our lives and throughout the world, because of his inclination of love, it is the season to lift up our voices in joyful praise. And then there is this image of a highway that will lead the people out of exile.