It is difficult to be gifted with the gift of prophecy. Prophecy has two parts: foretelling the future and forthtelling the truth. In part, many admire and are amazed at the accuracy of Isaiah’s prophecies about Jesus and about Israel. Remember, at the time of these prophecies, Jerusalem, was prosperous and proud. They were very sacrosanct and holy–they were just ignoring God. They were checking boxes like mad, but had no heart for their Creator, Savior, and Provider.
Israel, like most still loved themselves more than God. They did not mind making God a part of their lives as long as He did not interfere. That is why much of Isaiah’s prophecy is simply calling them out for their sins of commission and omission. Here in chapter 62, We are blessed to see this prophet’s love for God and God’s chosen. He personally prayed for their restoration. for the return of their name and dignity. The normally blunt and harsh prophet is now bearing his broken heart for these people, God’s Chosen.
We are also His chosen. Isaiah wants us to also enjoy the blessing and restoration that is due God’s people. When we trust the Lord as our savior, He will bring us into His family and, like Israel, will gather us and care for us. This world is not our home. We are being prepared for an eternal life in God’s presence. Here there will be no fear, no darkness, no tears, and no regrets. We will be new creations in the Heavenlies, in God’s loving family. Like the Israel described in this passage, we will be restored and renewed in the image of our Lord. What an amazing promise and gift.
God Bless You
Because I love Zion,
I will not keep still.
Because my heart yearns for Jerusalem,
I cannot remain silent.
I will not stop praying for her
until her righteousness shines like the dawn,
and her salvation blazes like a burning torch.
2 The nations will see your righteousness.
World leaders will be blinded by your glory.
And you will be given a new name
by the Lord’s own mouth.
3 The Lord will hold you in his hand for all to see—
a splendid crown in the hand of God.
4 Never again will you be called “The Forsaken City”[a]
or “The Desolate Land.”[b]
Your new name will be “The City of God’s Delight”[c]
and “The Bride of God,”[d]
for the Lord delights in you
and will claim you as his bride.
5 Your children will commit themselves to you, O Jerusalem,
just as a young man commits himself to his bride.
Then God will rejoice over you
as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride.
6 O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen on your walls;
they will pray day and night, continually.
Take no rest, all you who pray to the Lord.
7 Give the Lord no rest until he completes his work,
until he makes Jerusalem the pride of the earth.
8 The Lord has sworn to Jerusalem by his own strength:
“I will never again hand you over to your enemies.
Never again will foreign warriors come
and take away your grain and new wine.
9 You raised the grain, and you will eat it,
praising the Lord.
Within the courtyards of the Temple,
you yourselves will drink the wine you have pressed.”
10 Go out through the gates!
Prepare the highway for my people to return!
Smooth out the road; pull out the boulders;
raise a flag for all the nations to see.
11 The Lord has sent this message to every land:
“Tell the people of Israel,[e]
‘Look, your Savior is coming.
See, he brings his reward with him as he comes.’”
12 They will be called “The Holy People”
and “The People Redeemed by the Lord.”
And Jerusalem will be known as “The Desirable Place”
and “The City No Longer Forsaken.”
Walking With God 