Isaiah 62 - The Glory of Zion; God with us.

This chapter confronts the reader with a decision as to who is speaking here, is it the prophet or is it the promised seed - the Servant of God? I think throughout this chapter, we have words from Christ.

Isaiah 62:1-2a (HCSB) I will not keep silent because of Zion, and I will not keep still because of Jerusalem, until her righteousness shines like a bright light and her salvation, like a flaming torch. Nations will see your righteousness and all kings, your glory.

Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, Zion refers to a fortified city prized by national Israel. In the New Covenant passages and in several Old Covenant prophets, Zion refers to the spiritual reality of God's people being present with Him. In Hebrews 12:18-29 we see this most clearly as earthly Israel is contrasted with spiritual Israel. Rather than gathering at Mt Sinai, with the blazing fire, gloom, and storm which was to terrifying that Moses was afraid; we who His people have come to Mount Zion, the living city of God (heavenly Jerusalem), wherein angels celebrate.

Isaiah refers to this in this passage, where he reports that Zion, also termed Jerusalem, will have righteousness that shines like heaven. She is marked by her salvation. Nations will see this glory and nothing is able to compare to it.

Recall the light of the world that John wrote of, John 1:1-5 (HCSB) "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it." So intimately connected are the three-in-one that nothing happens apart from each being active, though the Spirit is often not mentioned, as in this passage from John. But Moses made note of the Spirit of God moving over the waters. The connection of John with Isaiah 62 is the light of the world that shines, which darkness cannot overcome. The shining light of the saints' righteousness is that of Christ Himself, and it brings salvation to sinners. This light overcomes the darkness of our unregenerate souls and brings life to that which was dead.

Isaiah 62:2b-5 (HCSB) You will be called by a new name that the LORD’s mouth will announce. You will be a glorious crown in the LORD’s hand, and a royal diadem in the palm of your God. You will no longer be called Deserted, and your land will not be called Desolate; instead, you will be called My Delight is in Her, and your land Married; for the LORD delights in you, and your land will be married.  For as a young man marries a young woman, so your sons will marry you; and as a groom rejoices over ⌊his⌋ bride, so your God will rejoice over you.

Seven statements as to what Jerusalem will be, none of it contingent upon national Israel's performance under their covenant. Unilateral actions of God in redeeming and purifying His people, declaring they will have a new name (see Rev 3:12), will be a glorious crown (see Rev 4:10, 11). His people decorate the One who redeemed them, no longer barren but married to God, who delights in those He chose and ransomed. National Israel never had this fatherly relationship with God; heavenly Jerusalem, the spiritual house Peter spoke of - these are those who call Him Abba, Father. They are the ones described as Hs bride (2 Cor 11:2; Rev 19:7; 21:2, 9), the one to whom He is bound.

The first half of verse 5 is obscure: who are the sons marrying? John Gill thought this phrase was more properly interpreted, "as a young man dwells with a virgin, so thy sons shall dwell in thee" - which is how he says the Septuagint and Latin Vulgate render it. The last half of this verse is clear and is alluded to in the New Covenant passages, highlighted in Rev 19 and 21. In Rev 19 the marriage of the Lamb is announced, His bride has prepared herself and was given fine linen, bright and pure, to wear. This linen is the righteousness of Christ; the bride has prepared for this by being diligent in her walk in this wicked world, looking for the return of her Lord. In Rev 21, God's dwelling is with mankind as He makes all things new and the bride is revealed to be New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. There is no sanctuary because God almighty and the Lamb are such; there is no sun or moon because God's glory shines thereon and the lamp/light of the new world is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of this world.

Isaiah 62:6-7 (HCSB) Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen on your walls; they will never be silent, day or night. There is no rest for you, who remind the LORD. Do not give Him rest until He establishes and makes Jerusalem the praise of the earth.

Here we have a double or dual application. Earthly Jerusalem did have watchmen - Ezekiel spends some time describing their function. In the kingdom of God inaugurated, present within the saints in this age, elders function in this role - warning of wolves and announcing the glories of the gospel of Christ. There will be rest for these watchmen when the New Jerusalem comes down out of heaven.

Isaiah 62:8-9 (HCSB) The LORD has sworn with His right hand and His strong arm: I will no longer give your grain to your enemies for food, and foreigners will not drink your new wine you have labored for. For those who gather grain will eat it and praise the LORD, and those who harvest the grapes will drink ⌊the wine⌋ in My holy courts.

Throughout Isaiah we've seen references to YHWH's raised arm, His strong arm. These refer to His might and power over all creation and allude to His deliverance of Israel from Egypt. For generations, pagan nations raided Israel and took her produce - usually as judgment for their sin, as seen in Lev 26:16; Deut 28:31-33; and Judges 6:3-6. YHWH will put a stop to this, meaning Israel would retain more of her wealth and be very prosperous. National Israel never saw this prosperity. As long as people focus on kingdoms of this world, they will have difficulty seeing the kingdom of God. Unless one is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God!

Isaiah 62:10-12 (HCSB) Go out, go out through the gates; prepare a way for the people! Build it up, build up the highway; clear away the stones! Raise a banner for the peoples. Look, the LORD has proclaimed to the ends of the earth, “Say to Daughter Zion: Look, your salvation is coming, His reward is with Him, and His gifts accompany Him.” And they will be called the Holy People, the LORD’s Redeemed; and you will be called Cared For, A City Not Deserted.

Once more we see reference to clearing the way, preparing the way for the people to come to the Lord, raising His banner so all can see. John the Baptizer prepared the way, announcing the Lamb of God, awakening Israel to the consummation of their standing and the announcing of the new way, by faith and not by physical procreation. This is the gospel proclamation that we are charged with, heralding Christ Jesus as the savior of sinners, announcing peace that comes apart from the law and prophet even as it was foretold therein.

As promised to Abraham, salvation is proclaimed throughout the earth, as God will redeem His people from every nation, tongue, and tribe. The Lamb is coming to Zion, bringing salvation and His reward and gifts to those will be called "the Holy People, YHWH's redeemed" - which Peter alludes to: 1 Peter 2:9-10 "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." This is how all the ransomed souls are seen in the eyes of God.

Since this new city, made of spiritual stones, is the dwelling place of God, it will be cared for like none other; it will never be deserted for God is with us! That is why He was called Immanuel. Ponder that saints - God is with us! I dare say this is something we do not meditate on enough - even though it is a wonderful truth that bring great comfort in times of trials. Carefully consider how this concept is put into song, this from Matthew Smith's rendition of "What Wondrous Love is This!"

And what wondrous love is this

Though I raised my clenched fist

He opened up my hand to received His gift

 

And what wondrous love is here

The God Immortal has drawn near

And shed His blood to close the rift

 

Praise the Lord who gave Himself for us! Make His mercies known, proclaim His glorious gospel far and wide. He will gain the full reward for His work. He is worthy of our worship. God with us.