Isaiah 62: A Glimpse into Israel's Glorious Future and a Call to Persistent Prayer
For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.
And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name.
Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.
Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzi–bah, and thy land Beulah: for the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.
For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.
I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence,
And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
The Lord hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured:
But they that have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the Lord; and they that have brought it together shall drink it in the courts of my holiness.
Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.
Behold, the Lord hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; 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 thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.
Isaiah 62 offers a radiant prophecy concerning the future glory awaiting Israel when the Messiah returns and establishes His kingdom. It's a chapter brimming with hope, restoration, and a renewed relationship between God and His chosen people. This chapter emphasizes God's unwavering commitment to His promises and calls believers to persistent prayer.
A Shining Righteousness and a New Name (Isaiah 62:1-3)
These opening verses paint a picture of Israel's righteousness shining brightly, like a radiant light, and her salvation blazing like a torch in the darkness. This speaks to a dramatic transformation, a spiritual awakening that will mark the Messianic era. God promises to bestow upon His nation a new name, signifying a profound change in character and destiny. In biblical times, names were not merely labels but reflections of one's essence or prophetic declarations. God Himself will announce this new name (Isaiah 62:2), guaranteeing its fulfillment. This new name will reflect the restored relationship and the glorious destiny God has planned for Israel.
From Deserted to Delightful: A Transformation of Identity (Isaiah 62:4-5)
The power of God to bestow a new name is a recurring theme in Scripture (Genesis 17:3-5, 15-16, 32:27-28; Hosea 1:4-7). Isaiah's time saw Israel, particularly Jerusalem, described as "Deserted" and "Desolate" (Isaiah 62:4), reflecting their spiritual condition. However, a day is coming when God will declare, "My Delight Is in Her," and the land will no longer be seen as forsaken but as married, symbolizing a restored covenant relationship. God's chosen people will once again be worthy of being called the Lord's bride, and He will rejoice over them with exceeding joy (Isaiah 62:5). This imagery speaks of intimacy, love, and a deep, abiding connection between God and His people.
Watchmen on the Walls: A Call to Persistent Prayer (Isaiah 62:6-9)
These verses serve as an encouragement to believers of all ages to be steadfast in prayer. We are called to pray with unwavering expectancy, like watchmen on the walls of a city, constantly alert for news and anticipating God's intervention (Isaiah 62:6). The immediate context is God's invitation to His people to pray persistently for His salvation and deliverance through the Messiah. The exhortation, "Give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth" (Isaiah 62:7), echoes Paul's command to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). We are even encouraged to "wear God out" with our prayers, demonstrating the intensity and persistence He desires. Jesus himself emphasized the importance of continual prayer, urging his disciples "to pray always and not give up" (Luke 18:1). This persistent prayer is not about manipulating God, but aligning our hearts with His will and partnering with Him in bringing about His purposes.
Salvation is Coming: A Promise of Restoration (Isaiah 62:10-12)
The Lord promises to answer the prayers of His people, leading to the restoration of Jerusalem and all of Israel in the Messianic kingdom. Because of this certainty, the Lord proclaims, "Say to Daughter Zion, 'See, your salvation comes! See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him'" (Isaiah 62:11). The new names God bestows upon His people (Isaiah 62:4-5) are amplified with even more: "The Holy People, The Redeemed of the LORD; and you will be called Sought After, The City No Longer Deserted" (Isaiah 62:12). These names are not mere labels but guarantees of a glorious future, reflecting their renewed identity and secure standing in God's grace. They are a testament to God's faithfulness and His unwavering commitment to His promises. This is the ultimate destiny for Israel, a future filled with holiness, redemption, and unwavering divine care.
Isaiah 62 is not just a prophecy; it is a call to action, a reminder of God's unwavering love, and a beacon of hope for the future. It encourages us to pray persistently, trust in God's promises, and anticipate the glorious day when His kingdom will be fully established.
For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.
And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name.
Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.
Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzi–bah, and thy land Beulah: for the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.
For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.
I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence,
And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
The Lord hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured:
But they that have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the Lord; and they that have brought it together shall drink it in the courts of my holiness.
Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.
Behold, the Lord hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; 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 thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.
Isaiah 62 offers a radiant prophecy concerning the future glory awaiting Israel when the Messiah returns and establishes His kingdom. It's a chapter brimming with hope, restoration, and a renewed relationship between God and His chosen people. This chapter emphasizes God's unwavering commitment to His promises and calls believers to persistent prayer.
A Shining Righteousness and a New Name (Isaiah 62:1-3)
These opening verses paint a picture of Israel's righteousness shining brightly, like a radiant light, and her salvation blazing like a torch in the darkness. This speaks to a dramatic transformation, a spiritual awakening that will mark the Messianic era. God promises to bestow upon His nation a new name, signifying a profound change in character and destiny. In biblical times, names were not merely labels but reflections of one's essence or prophetic declarations. God Himself will announce this new name (Isaiah 62:2), guaranteeing its fulfillment. This new name will reflect the restored relationship and the glorious destiny God has planned for Israel.
From Deserted to Delightful: A Transformation of Identity (Isaiah 62:4-5)
The power of God to bestow a new name is a recurring theme in Scripture (Genesis 17:3-5, 15-16, 32:27-28; Hosea 1:4-7). Isaiah's time saw Israel, particularly Jerusalem, described as "Deserted" and "Desolate" (Isaiah 62:4), reflecting their spiritual condition. However, a day is coming when God will declare, "My Delight Is in Her," and the land will no longer be seen as forsaken but as married, symbolizing a restored covenant relationship. God's chosen people will once again be worthy of being called the Lord's bride, and He will rejoice over them with exceeding joy (Isaiah 62:5). This imagery speaks of intimacy, love, and a deep, abiding connection between God and His people.
Watchmen on the Walls: A Call to Persistent Prayer (Isaiah 62:6-9)
These verses serve as an encouragement to believers of all ages to be steadfast in prayer. We are called to pray with unwavering expectancy, like watchmen on the walls of a city, constantly alert for news and anticipating God's intervention (Isaiah 62:6). The immediate context is God's invitation to His people to pray persistently for His salvation and deliverance through the Messiah. The exhortation, "Give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth" (Isaiah 62:7), echoes Paul's command to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). We are even encouraged to "wear God out" with our prayers, demonstrating the intensity and persistence He desires. Jesus himself emphasized the importance of continual prayer, urging his disciples "to pray always and not give up" (Luke 18:1). This persistent prayer is not about manipulating God, but aligning our hearts with His will and partnering with Him in bringing about His purposes.
Salvation is Coming: A Promise of Restoration (Isaiah 62:10-12)
The Lord promises to answer the prayers of His people, leading to the restoration of Jerusalem and all of Israel in the Messianic kingdom. Because of this certainty, the Lord proclaims, "Say to Daughter Zion, 'See, your salvation comes! See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him'" (Isaiah 62:11). The new names God bestows upon His people (Isaiah 62:4-5) are amplified with even more: "The Holy People, The Redeemed of the LORD; and you will be called Sought After, The City No Longer Deserted" (Isaiah 62:12). These names are not mere labels but guarantees of a glorious future, reflecting their renewed identity and secure standing in God's grace. They are a testament to God's faithfulness and His unwavering commitment to His promises. This is the ultimate destiny for Israel, a future filled with holiness, redemption, and unwavering divine care.
Isaiah 62 is not just a prophecy; it is a call to action, a reminder of God's unwavering love, and a beacon of hope for the future. It encourages us to pray persistently, trust in God's promises, and anticipate the glorious day when His kingdom will be fully established.