ISAIAH 62
OPENS WITH A GLORIOUS FUTURE FOR ZION AND JERUSALEM IS LOVED AND PROTECTED.
Verses 1-3 tells us The coming righteousness and glory of Zion.
"For Zion's sake I will not hold My peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns. The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, and all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD will name. You shall also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem In the hand of your God."
I will NOT rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness...
THE AMAZING PART OF THIS PROPHECY THE LORD GAVE ISAIAH WAS GIVEN TO HIM AND THE PEOPLE in a time when Jerusalem was still a functioning city, but was spiritually corrupt. Here, he looks forward to the time when Jerusalem is desolate because she has been conquered by the Babylonians, and prophetically speaks comfort and assurance to her discouraged and downcast citizens. The LORD assures them that He will not rest until Jerusalem is restored in a shining righteousness.
EVEN THOUGH...this prophecy is directed TOWARDS Zion and Jerusalem. Although God is concerned with that area as an actual material place, it also stands as a representation of Israel, and in an even more general sense, as a representation of ALL God's people, HIS CHILDREN, AND ALMIGHTY GOD CALLS ALL THOSE WHO LOVE AND CALL HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST, LORD SAVIOR MASTER AND FRIEND...A CHILD OF GOD, AMEN?!
The Gentiles shall see your righteousness...
When God lifts up Zion, then the nations see it and brought to trust in the LORD themselves. The work God would do for Jerusalem was intended to have an effect for more than just Jerusalem, but would extend to the Gentiles and unto all kings.
You shall be called by a new name...
Jerusalem will be so transformed that she will be called by a new name. Since the LORD is the author of the transformation, He is also the author of the new name (which the mouth of the LORD will name).
The idea of a new name also extends to Christians, in passages like Revelation 2:17 and 3:12. In heaven, when our transformation is complete, we will receive a new name that matches our completely transformed nature.
You shall also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD...
Jerusalem will be so special to God that He will regard it as a crown of glory. We may be familiar with the idea that we will receive a crown; it is deeper and more wonderful to consider that we will be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD.
Paul uses a similar twist on a familiar idea in Ephesians 1:8, where he says that the believer should understand what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. The idea is not of our inheritance in the LORD, but in His inheritance in us. We often have only a superficial understanding of how precious we are to God.
BUT RIGHT HERE, IN ISAIAH, THE LORD JESUS HIMSELF TELLS ISAIAH, NOT ONLY THE NATION OF ISRAEL, BUT ALL THOSE WHO CALL HIM MESSIAH, LORD, SAVIOR MASTER, AND FRIEND ARE CONSIDERED PRECIOUS, PRICELESS CROWN JEWELS TO GOD ALMIGHTY THE FATHER TOO!
Verses 4-5 tells us The LORD loves Zion as a bridegroom loves a bride.
"You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD delights in you, and your land shall be married. For as a young man marries a virgin, so shall your sons marry you; and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you."
You shall no longer be termed Forsaken...
Jerusalem knew the experience of war and defeat and desolation. God's people knew what it was like to feel Forsaken and Desolate, so it is as if they could take those names.
But you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah...
The days of Forsaken and Desolate will one day pass. There will come a day when Zion and God's people will know that God delights in them (Hephzibah means "My delight is in her"). There will come a day when Zion and God's people will know the unbroken presence and love of God, as a wife should know the presence and love of her husband (Beulah means "Married").
And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you...
Zion and God's people will know how much the LORD loves them. His feeling towards them is more than an obligation-type love; instead, He will rejoice over you!
The same idea is beautifully communicated in Zephaniah 3:17, which says, "The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."
No wonder Paul made a special prayer in EPHESIANS 3:18-19, so that we could somehow begin to comprehend such love, that we may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height; to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, AMEN!?
Verses 6-9 tells us The LORD promises to protect Zion.
"I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. The LORD has sworn by His right hand and by the arm of His strength: "Surely I will no longer give your grain as food for your enemies; and the sons of the foreigner shall not drink your new wine, for which you have labored. But those who have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the LORD; those who have brought it together shall drink it in My holy courts."
I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem...
Because God loves and rejoices over Zion, He will protect them. Though they were conquered before by the Babylonians, the day will come when He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
The watchmen have a GOD-GIVEN constant duty.
They shall never hold their peace day or night.
You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest until He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
The watchmen are NOT critics; as some wrongly teach and preach. WHAT THESE WATCHMEN ARE IS prayer warriors, who constantly pray, giving God "no rest" until God's people and His city are restored.
Bultema says it well of these watchmen … who shall never hold their peace day or night: "There is a threefold rich thought:
(1) The Lord Himself does NOT rest with regard to Zion;
(2) He does NOT want His petitioners to keep silence in their prayers for Israel;
(3) and He does NOT want His people to leave Him alone concerning Israel's deliverance."
AND CHARLES SPURGEON, WHO HAD SUCH A JESUS HEART IN HIS MINISTRY SAYS, "A restless Savior calls upon his people to be restless, and to make the Lord himself restless - to give him no rest till his chosen city is in full splendor, his chosen church complete and glorious."
'Give him no rest' is our Lord's own command to us concerning the great God. I do not suppose any of you ever advised a beggar to be importunate with you. Did you ever say, 'Whenever you see me go over this crossing ask me for a penny. If I do not give you one, run after me, or call after me all the way down the street. If that does not succeed, lay hold upon me, and do not let me go until I help you. Beg without ceasing.' Did any one of you ever invite applicants to call often, and make large requests of you? … He does in effect say, 'Press me! Urge me! Lay hold on my strength. Wrestle with me, as when a man seeks to give another a fall that he may prevail with him.' All this, and much more, is included in the expression, 'Give him no rest.'"
The LORD has sworn by His right hand and by the arm of His strength...
No more will Jerusalem be plundered by those who would steal her grain or new wine. Instead, those who have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the LORD.
Verse 10 tells us a way prepared for the coming of the LORD, who WILL visit Jerusalem.
"Go through, go through the gates! Prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway! Take out the stones, lift up a banner for the peoples!"
Prepare the way for the people...
Isaiah IS SHOWN ONCE AGAIN, AND ONCE AGAIN LOOKS prophetically forward to the time for the LORD to fulfill these promises. Since His salvation is coming, they must prepare the way for the people. They need to build up the highway, so a smooth road without obstacles is ready to usher people to the LORD's salvation.
Previously through Isaiah great promises were made of a massive pilgrimage to Jerusalem, so roads must be built and the way must be prepared.
Lift up a banner for the peoples!...
Not only must the way be prepared, but it must also be marked by a banner for the peoples. Then not only will they be able to come, but they will also be attracted to come.
Verses 11-12 tells us The Messiah comes to Zion.
"Indeed the LORD has proclaimed to the end of the world: "Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Surely your salvation is coming; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him.'" And they shall call them The Holy People, the Redeemed of the LORD; and you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken."
Say to the daughter of Zion, "Surely your salvation is coming"...
The way has been prepared and marked; now is the time for the LORD's salvation and Savior to emerge, and to come to Zion.
The Saviour came to Zion, but not only to Zion. Isaiah makes it clear: Indeed the LORD has proclaimed to the end of the world this great news of the coming Savior.
Behold, His reward is with Him...
When the Messiah comes to Zion, His reward is with Him.
AND WE KNOW FROM STUDYING THE BOOK OF Revelation, that Revelation 22:12 is a quotation from this verse: "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work."
AND WE KNOW Paul continues this idea in 1 Corinthians 3:8-14, saying how when we appear before the Lord, we will be judged according to our work for and with Him. On that day, each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
And you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken...
Through her history, Jerusalem knew what it was like to be Forsaken. But in that day, she will be called Sought Out; everyone will know she was valued and chosen by God.
THAT DAY...IS THE DAY THE LORD JESUS WILL SPLIT THE SKIES, HEAVEN WILL OPEN, AND JESUS CHRIST RIDING A WHITE HORSE, WITH ALL OF THE OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS, AND THE CHURCH AND THE MARTYRED TRIBULATION SAINTS, THOSE WHO CHOOSE JESUS DURING THOSE 7 YEARS AND ARE MARTYRED BECAUSE THEY REFUSE TO GIVE UP THEIR JESUS AND THEY WILL REFUSE TO TAKE THE MARK OF THE BEAST, WILL COME WITH JESUS...AND WITH A BREATHE...WITH A WORD....WILL DESTROY ALL OF THE ARMIES OF THE WORLD WHO HAVE COME WITH THE ANTI-CHRIST TO DESTROY ISRAEL...AT THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON.
AND HOW AMAZING IS IT, THAT THE MESSIAH HIMSELF, SPOKE FACE TO FACE WITH ISAIAH AND SHOWED HIM ALL THESE THINGS, 700+ YEARS BEFORE JESUS WAS EVEN BORN IN A HUMBLE MANGER IN BETHLEHEM.
OUR LORD JESUS IS A PLANNER AND A FINISHER...NEVER DOUBT THAT HE HAS ALREADY SEEN ANY AND ALL CHALLENGES, TRIALS, AND TRIBULATIONS WE WILL EVER FACE AND HE HAS ALREADY MADE A WAY OF RESCUE AND OF VICTORY SO THAT HIS FATHER IN HEAVEN WILL BE GLORIFIED AND HE JESUS HIMSELF WILL BE CALLED THE LORD OF LORDS AND THE KING ABOVE ALL KINGS.
ISAIAH 62OPENS WITH A GLORIOUS FUTURE FOR ZION AND JERUSALEM IS LOVED AND PROTECTED.Verses 1-3 tells us The coming righteousness and glory of Zion."For Zion's sake I will not hold My peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns. The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, and all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD will name. You shall also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem In the hand of your God."I will NOT rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness...THE AMAZING PART OF THIS PROPHECY THE LORD GAVE ISAIAH WAS GIVEN TO HIM AND THE PEOPLE in a time when Jerusalem was still a functioning city, but was spiritually corrupt. Here, he looks forward to the time when Jerusalem is desolate because she has been conquered by the Babylonians, and prophetically speaks comfort and assurance to her discouraged and downcast citizens. The LORD assures them that He will not rest until Jerusalem is restored in a shining righteousness.EVEN THOUGH...this prophecy is directed TOWARDS Zion and Jerusalem. Although God is concerned with that area as an actual material place, it also stands as a representation of Israel, and in an even more general sense, as a representation of ALL God's people, HIS CHILDREN, AND ALMIGHTY GOD CALLS ALL THOSE WHO LOVE AND CALL HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST, LORD SAVIOR MASTER AND FRIEND...A CHILD OF GOD, AMEN?!The Gentiles shall see your righteousness...When God lifts up Zion, then the nations see it and brought to trust in the LORD themselves. The work God would do for Jerusalem was intended to have an effect for more than just Jerusalem, but would extend to the Gentiles and unto all kings.You shall be called by a new name...Jerusalem will be so transformed that she will be called by a new name. Since the LORD is the author of the transformation, He is also the author of the new name (which the mouth of the LORD will name).The idea of a new name also extends to Christians, in passages like Revelation 2:17 and 3:12. In heaven, when our transformation is complete, we will receive a new name that matches our completely transformed nature.You shall also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD...Jerusalem will be so special to God that He will regard it as a crown of glory. We may be familiar with the idea that we will receive a crown; it is deeper and more wonderful to consider that we will be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD.Paul uses a similar twist on a familiar idea in Ephesians 1:8, where he says that the believer should understand what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. The idea is not of our inheritance in the LORD, but in His inheritance in us. We often have only a superficial understanding of how precious we are to God.BUT RIGHT HERE, IN ISAIAH, THE LORD JESUS HIMSELF TELLS ISAIAH, NOT ONLY THE NATION OF ISRAEL, BUT ALL THOSE WHO CALL HIM MESSIAH, LORD, SAVIOR MASTER, AND FRIEND ARE CONSIDERED PRECIOUS, PRICELESS CROWN JEWELS TO GOD ALMIGHTY THE FATHER TOO!Verses 4-5 tells us The LORD loves Zion as a bridegroom loves a bride."You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD delights in you, and your land shall be married. For as a young man marries a virgin, so shall your sons marry you; and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you."You shall no longer be termed Forsaken...Jerusalem knew the experience of war and defeat and desolation. God's people knew what it was like to feel Forsaken and Desolate, so it is as if they could take those names.But you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah...The days of Forsaken and Desolate will one day pass. There will come a day when Zion and God's people will know that God delights in them (Hephzibah means "My delight is in her"). There will come a day when Zion and God's people will know the unbroken presence and love of God, as a wife should know the presence and love of her husband (Beulah means "Married").And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you...Zion and God's people will know how much the LORD loves them. His feeling towards them is more than an obligation-type love; instead, He will rejoice over you!The same idea is beautifully communicated in Zephaniah 3:17, which says, "The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."No wonder Paul made a special prayer in EPHESIANS 3:18-19, so that we could somehow begin to comprehend such love, that we may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height; to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, AMEN!?Verses 6-9 tells us The LORD promises to protect Zion."I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. The LORD has sworn by His right hand and by the arm of His strength: "Surely I will no longer give your grain as food for your enemies; and the sons of the foreigner shall not drink your new wine, for which you have labored. But those who have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the LORD; those who have brought it together shall drink it in My holy courts."I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem...Because God loves and rejoices over Zion, He will protect them. Though they were conquered before by the Babylonians, the day will come when He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.The watchmen have a GOD-GIVEN constant duty.They shall never hold their peace day or night.You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest until He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.The watchmen are NOT critics; as some wrongly teach and preach. WHAT THESE WATCHMEN ARE IS prayer warriors, who constantly pray, giving God "no rest" until God's people and His city are restored.Bultema says it well of these watchmen … who shall never hold their peace day or night: "There is a threefold rich thought:(1) The Lord Himself does NOT rest with regard to Zion;(2) He does NOT want His petitioners to keep silence in their prayers for Israel;(3) and He does NOT want His people to leave Him alone concerning Israel's deliverance."AND CHARLES SPURGEON, WHO HAD SUCH A JESUS HEART IN HIS MINISTRY SAYS, "A restless Savior calls upon his people to be restless, and to make the Lord himself restless - to give him no rest till his chosen city is in full splendor, his chosen church complete and glorious."'Give him no rest' is our Lord's own command to us concerning the great God. I do not suppose any of you ever advised a beggar to be importunate with you. Did you ever say, 'Whenever you see me go over this crossing ask me for a penny. If I do not give you one, run after me, or call after me all the way down the street. If that does not succeed, lay hold upon me, and do not let me go until I help you. Beg without ceasing.' Did any one of you ever invite applicants to call often, and make large requests of you? … He does in effect say, 'Press me! Urge me! Lay hold on my strength. Wrestle with me, as when a man seeks to give another a fall that he may prevail with him.' All this, and much more, is included in the expression, 'Give him no rest.'"The LORD has sworn by His right hand and by the arm of His strength...No more will Jerusalem be plundered by those who would steal her grain or new wine. Instead, those who have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the LORD.Verse 10 tells us a way prepared for the coming of the LORD, who WILL visit Jerusalem."Go through, go through the gates! Prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway! Take out the stones, lift up a banner for the peoples!"Prepare the way for the people...Isaiah IS SHOWN ONCE AGAIN, AND ONCE AGAIN LOOKS prophetically forward to the time for the LORD to fulfill these promises. Since His salvation is coming, they must prepare the way for the people. They need to build up the highway, so a smooth road without obstacles is ready to usher people to the LORD's salvation.Previously through Isaiah great promises were made of a massive pilgrimage to Jerusalem, so roads must be built and the way must be prepared.Lift up a banner for the peoples!...Not only must the way be prepared, but it must also be marked by a banner for the peoples. Then not only will they be able to come, but they will also be attracted to come.Verses 11-12 tells us The Messiah comes to Zion."Indeed the LORD has proclaimed to the end of the world: "Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Surely your salvation is coming; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him.'" And they shall call them The Holy People, the Redeemed of the LORD; and you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken."Say to the daughter of Zion, "Surely your salvation is coming"...The way has been prepared and marked; now is the time for the LORD's salvation and Savior to emerge, and to come to Zion.The Saviour came to Zion, but not only to Zion. Isaiah makes it clear: Indeed the LORD has proclaimed to the end of the world this great news of the coming Savior.Behold, His reward is with Him...When the Messiah comes to Zion, His reward is with Him.AND WE KNOW FROM STUDYING THE BOOK OF Revelation, that Revelation 22:12 is a quotation from this verse: "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work."AND WE KNOW Paul continues this idea in 1 Corinthians 3:8-14, saying how when we appear before the Lord, we will be judged according to our work for and with Him. On that day, each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.And you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken...Through her history, Jerusalem knew what it was like to be Forsaken. But in that day, she will be called Sought Out; everyone will know she was valued and chosen by God.THAT DAY...IS THE DAY THE LORD JESUS WILL SPLIT THE SKIES, HEAVEN WILL OPEN, AND JESUS CHRIST RIDING A WHITE HORSE, WITH ALL OF THE OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS, AND THE CHURCH AND THE MARTYRED TRIBULATION SAINTS, THOSE WHO CHOOSE JESUS DURING THOSE 7 YEARS AND ARE MARTYRED BECAUSE THEY REFUSE TO GIVE UP THEIR JESUS AND THEY WILL REFUSE TO TAKE THE MARK OF THE BEAST, WILL COME WITH JESUS...AND WITH A BREATHE...WITH A WORD....WILL DESTROY ALL OF THE ARMIES OF THE WORLD WHO HAVE COME WITH THE ANTI-CHRIST TO DESTROY ISRAEL...AT THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON.AND HOW AMAZING IS IT, THAT THE MESSIAH HIMSELF, SPOKE FACE TO FACE WITH ISAIAH AND SHOWED HIM ALL THESE THINGS, 700+ YEARS BEFORE JESUS WAS EVEN BORN IN A HUMBLE MANGER IN BETHLEHEM.OUR LORD JESUS IS A PLANNER AND A FINISHER...NEVER DOUBT THAT HE HAS ALREADY SEEN ANY AND ALL CHALLENGES, TRIALS, AND TRIBULATIONS WE WILL EVER FACE AND HE HAS ALREADY MADE A WAY OF RESCUE AND OF VICTORY SO THAT HIS FATHER IN HEAVEN WILL BE GLORIFIED AND HE JESUS HIMSELF WILL BE CALLED THE LORD OF LORDS AND THE KING ABOVE ALL KINGS.