Why God Reveals His Glory to Israel Little by Little

Another interpretation of "The wilderness and the parched land shall be glad" (Isaiah 35:1). Why is it written thus? To teach you that when the Holy One, blessed be He, reveals His Divine Presence upon Israel, He does not reveal all His goodness to them at once, because they would not be able to endure that goodness; for if He were to reveal His goodness to them all at one time, they would all die. See what is written: "From of old men have not heard, nor given ear, nor has an eye seen a God besides You" (Isaiah 64:3). Go and learn from Joseph, that at the time he made himself known to his brothers after many years, Joseph said to them, "I am Joseph" (Genesis 45:3), and his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed before him (Genesis 45:3). The Holy One, blessed be He — how much more so! Rather, what does the Holy One, blessed be He, do for them? He reveals Himself to them little by little. At first He makes the mountains glad, as it is said, "The wilderness and the parched land shall be glad," and afterward "the desert shall rejoice," and afterward "it shall blossom abundantly." And afterward "the glory of Lebanon is given to it," and afterward "they shall see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God" (Isaiah 35:1). Therefore David said, "For the Lord has built up Zion; He has appeared in His glory" (Psalms 102:17). And it says, "For eye to eye they shall see, when the Lord returns to Zion" (Isaiah 52:8). And it says, "And it shall be said on that day: Behold, this is our God; we waited for Him, and He saved us. This is the Lord; we waited for Him. Let us be glad and rejoice in His salvation" (Isaiah 25:9).