1 For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her righteousness go forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns. 2 The nations shall see your righteousness, and all kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of Yahweh shall name. 3 You shall also be a crown of beauty in the hand of Yahweh, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. 4 You shall no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall your land any more be termed Desolate: but you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for Yahweh delights in you, and your land shall be married. 5 For as a young man marries a virgin, so your sons shall marry you; and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so your God will rejoice over you. 6 I have set watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace day nor night: you who call on Yahweh, take no rest, 7 and give him no rest, until he establishes, and until he makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. 8 Yahweh has sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, "Surely I will no more give your grain to be food for your enemies; and foreigners shall not drink your new wine, for which you have labored: 9 but those who have garnered it shall eat it, and praise Yahweh; and those who have gathered it shall drink it in the courts of my sanctuary." 10 Go through, go through the gates! Prepare the way of the people! Cast up, cast up the highway! Gather out the stones! Lift up a banner for the peoples. 11 Behold, Yahweh has proclaimed to the end of the earth, "Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your salvation comes. Behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.'" 12 They shall call them The holy people, The redeemed of Yahweh: and you shall be called Sought out, A city not forsaken.
The same general subject is pursued in this chapter which has been presented in the chapters which have gone before. The scope of the chapter is consolatory, and the design is to furnish such assurances of the divine favor toward the afflicted people of God, as would uphold and comfort them in their trials. The language is such as would be addressed to the exiles in Babylon, but the main reference is undoubtedly to the times of the Messiah. The chapter may be conveniently regarded as comprising the following portions:
I. A speaker is introduced saying that he would have no rest until Zion should rise and obtain restoration from her degradation Isaiah 62:1-5. This portion contains assurances of the divine favor, and a promise of the future restoration and glory of Jerusalem. Who this speaker is, will be considered in Isaiah 62:1. The following are the assurances of the speaker.
1. He would give himself no peace until splendor and glory should spread over Zion Isaiah 62:1.
2. The Gentiles would partake of the blessings conferred on Zion, and kings would come and unite with her Isaiah 62:2.
3. Zion would be as beautiful and glorious as a royal crown in the hand of Yahweh Isaiah 62:3.
4. She would be no more desolate and forsaken Isaiah 62:4.
5. Yahweh would delight in Zion as a young married man delights in his bride Isaiah 62:5.
II. The speaker says that he had set watchmen on the walls of Zion, and they are commanded to give him no rest - to be urgent and importunate in prayer, until Jerusalem should be made glorious in the earth Isaiah 62:6-7.
III. The solemn assurance that Yahweh had sworn that there would be peace and security from the invasions of enemies Isaiah 62:8-9. The land would be no more subjected to plunder from abroad, but there would be that kind of safety and security which exists when a man sows and reaps without annoyance.
IV. The people are directed to prepare the way for the coming of Yahweh Isaiah 62:10-12. A crier proclaims his approach, and directs that all obstructions should be removed.
The prophet opens this chapter with ardent prayers that the happy period of reconciliation just now promised, and here again foretold, may be hastened, Isaiah 62:1-5. He then calls upon the faithful, particularly the priests and Levites, to join him, urging the promises, and even the oath, of Jehovah, as the foundation of their request, Isaiah 62:6-9. And, relying on this oath, he goes on to speak of the general restoration promised, as already performing; and calls to the people to march forth, and to the various nations among whom they are dispersed to prepare the way for them, as God had caused the order for their return to be universally proclaimed, Isaiah 62:10-12.
INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 62
This chapter is a continuation of the prophecy of the glory of the church in the latter day. The prophet expresses his earnest desire for it, and his full assurance of it, Isaiah 62:1 which should lie in a new name, by which she should be called, and in her being a glorious crown and diadem in the hand of the Lord, Isaiah 62:3, in having her sons with her, and the Lord rejoicing over her, Isaiah 62:5, in having watchmen on her walls, and such as are the Lord's remembrancers in the midst of her, Isaiah 62:6, in plenty of food, Isaiah 62:8, in the coming of the Saviour, and in the gathering of elect Gentiles both to him and her, Isaiah 62:10.
(Isaiah 62:1-5) God's care of his church and people.
(Isaiah 62:6-9) The office of ministers in preaching the gospel.
(Isaiah 62:10-12) Every hinderance shall be removed from the way of salvation.
*More commentary available by clicking individual verses.