9. What grand promise is held out to returning Jews?

⁹ Those released from captivity in Babylon will have good reason to rejoice, for a grand future awaits them upon their return to Jerusalem. Isaiah foretells: “At that time the eyes of the blind ones will be opened, and the very ears of the deaf ones will be unstopped. At that time the lame one will climb up just as a stag does, and the tongue of the speechless one will cry out in gladness.”​—Isaiah 35:5, 6a.

10, 11. For returning Jews, why must Isaiah’s words have a spiritual meaning, and what do they imply?

¹⁰ Jehovah evidently has in mind the spiritual condition of his people. They have been punished with 70 years of exile for their earlier apostasy. Still, in administering his discipline, Jehovah did not strike his people with blindness, deafness, lameness, and muteness. Hence, restoring the nation of Israel does not require the healing of physical disabilities. Jehovah restores that which was lost, namely, spiritual health.

¹¹ Repentant Jews are healed in that they regain their spiritual senses​—their spiritual vision and their ability to hear, obey, and speak Jehovah’s word. They become aware of their need to stay close to Jehovah. By their fine conduct, they “cry out” in joyful praise of their God. The formerly “lame one” becomes eager and energetic in his worship of Jehovah. Figuratively, he will “climb up just as a stag does.”

Jehovah Refreshes His People

12. To what extent will Jehovah bless the land with water?

¹² It is difficult to imagine a paradise without water. The original Paradise in Eden had an abundance of water. (Genesis 2:10-14) The land given to Israel was also “a land of torrent valleys of water, springs and watery deeps issuing forth.” (Deuteronomy 8:7) Appropriately, then, Isaiah makes this refreshing promise: “In the wilderness waters will have burst out, and torrents in the desert plain. And the heat-parched ground will have become as a reedy pool, and the thirsty ground as springs of water. In the abiding place of jackals, a resting-place for them, there will be green grass with reeds and papyrus plants.” (Isaiah 35:6b, 7) When the Israelites again care for the land, the desolate areas where jackals once roamed will be covered with verdant, luxuriant vegetation. Dry and dusty ground will be transformed into “a swampy place” where papyrus and other aquatic reeds can grow.​—Job 8:11.

13. What abundant spiritual water will be available to the restored nation?

¹³ More important, though, is the spiritual water of truth, which the repatriated Jews will enjoy in abundance. Jehovah will provide knowledge, encouragement, and comfort through his Word. Moreover, faithful older men and princes will be “like streams of water in a waterless country.” (Isaiah 32:1, 2) Those who promote pure worship, such as Ezra, Haggai, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Zechariah, Zerubbabel, will indeed be living testimony to the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.​—Ezra 5:1, 2; 7:6, 10; Nehemiah 12:47.