Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

ISAIAH - CHAPTER 62

JERUSALEM, A PRAISE IN THE EARTH

Vs. 1-5: GLORY REVEALED AND A NEW NAME GIVEN

1. The Lord declares Himself pre-occupied with the care and welfare of Jerusalem, (vs. 1).

a. For her sake He will not be silent, or rest, until her righteousness and salvation are clearly revealed, (Isaiah 46:13; Isaiah 52:10; Isaiah 1:26; Isaiah 58:8).

b. This is quite a contrast to the Sodom-condition set forth in the first chapter!

1. Such a new name will be given her as in keeping her new, exalted character, (vs. 2).

a. The Lord Himself will take great delight in bestowing that new name upon her, (vs. 4, 12; Isaiah 56:5).

b. By what she has become the nations will recognize her righteousness, and kings will marvel at her glorious exaltation, (Isaiah 60:3; Jeremiah 33:16).

3. The Lord God will joyfully manifest, by His grace and redeeming power, what this people have become - a royal diadem and crown of glory in His hand, (vs. 3; Isaiah 28:5; Zechariah 9:16; comp. 1 Thessalonians 2:19).

a. From the institution of the Theocracy, at Mt Sinai, God had purposed that Israel should be a nation of king-priests, (Exodus 19:6).

b. When the nation was cut off from covenant fellowship with God, because of her unfaithfullness, the Lord raised up such a people in the New Testament church, (1 Peter 2:9).

c. But His purpose for the nation will still be fulfilled during the millennium (Isaiah 61:6) - after she has acknowledged His right to rule over her (contrast: Psalms 110:3; Luke 19:14), and willingly yielded herself to His royal authority.

4. When the Lord reigns in Zion her troubles will all be past, (vs. 4-5).

a. Instead of being "forsaken", the Lord will delight in her rejoicing over her as a bridegroom over his bride, (Isaiah 54:6-7; Isaiah 60:15; Isaiah 60:18; Jeremiah 32:41; Zephaniah 3:17; Isaiah 65:19).

b. No longer "desolate", her land will be "married" - her sons being joyfully joined to her as a young man to a virgin, (Jeremiah 3:14; Hosea 2:19-20).

1. Here the Lord declares that He has set watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem - men who are concerned for her prosperity - guarding and protecting her welfare, (vs. 6-7; Isaiah 52:8; Ezekiel 3:17; Ezekiel 33:7).

a. Not only will they be alert for dangers from without; they will also remind the Lord of His promises concerning the Holy City, (VS. 6; Isaiah 43:26; comp. Psalms 74:2; Jeremiah 14:21; La 5:1, 20-21).

b. Nor are they to keep silent (comp. Matthew 15:21-28; Luke 18:1-8) until He has established Jerusalem, and made her a praise in the earth, (vs. 7; Isaiah 60:18; Jeremiah 33:8-9; Zephaniah 3:19-20; comp. Psalms 122; Psalms 6).

2. Having made an oath-bound promise to restore Jerusalem, the very character of the Lord is at stake, (vs. 8a; comp. Isaiah 45:23; Isaiah 54:9-10; Hebrews 6:13); "right hand" and "strong arm" suggest the power and authority with which He acts.

3. The promise of the Lord obviously refers to the restoration and lasting stability of His people in Zion - resulting in their prosperity and perpetual thanksgiving, (vs. 8b-9).

a. No longer will the fruit of their labors be consumed by aliens and enemies, (vs. 8b; contr. Deuteronomy 28:33; Deuteronomy 28:51).

b. The Lord’s people will enjoy the fruit of their labors - praising Him in the courts of His sanctuary, (vs. 9; Isaiah 65:13; Isaiah 65:21-23).

Vs. 10-12: SALVATION IN ZION

1. Here is pictured the triumphant march of the Messiah, with His people, through the gates of Jerusalem, (vs. 10; Isaiah 26:1-2; Isaiah 60:11; Isaiah 60:18).

a. Careful preparation is made for this march - every possible hindrance being removed, (Isaiah 57:14; Isaiah 11:16; Isaiah 19:23; Isaiah 35:8; Isaiah 49:11).

b. An "ensign", banner, or standard, will be lifted up over the holy people as they march, with the Messiah as the leader of His mighty army, to take possession of Jerusalem -and the kingdoms of this world! (Isaiah 11:10-12; Isaiah 49:22; Revelation 11:15).

2. To the ends of the earth the Lord advertises the special, blessed relationship that exists between Himself and His chosen people, (vs. 10).

a. He comes as their believer, (Isaiah 49:6); He has a glorious "inheritance" in the saints, (Ephesians 1:18; comp. Deuteronomy 4:20; Deuteronomy 9:26-29; 1 Kings 8:53).

b. His reward is with Him - His work before Him, (Isaiah 40:10; Revelation 22:12).

3. Henceforth the people of God, dwelling in Jerusalem; will be exalted in the eyes of all the earth; they will be known as:

a. "The holy people", (Deuteronomy 7; Deuteronomy 6; Isaiah 4:3; 1 Peter 2:9).

b. "The redeemed of the Lord:", (Isaiah 35:9; Isaiah 51:10).

c. "Sought out, A City not forsaken", (comp. Isaiah 42:16; Hebrews 13:5-6).