Isaiah 62

 

Chapter 61 and 62 describe the people of God whom the Servant/Messiah has delivered.

They will be righteous, powerful, prosperous and generally blessed.

 

In Chapter 61 we read that:

1)      The servant of the Lord (61:1-3) will give his people (61:3)

a.       Crown of beauty

b.      Oil of gladness

c.       Garment of praise

d.      They will be called oaks of righteousness, they were planted by the Lord.

2)      These people will rebuild the ancient ruins (61:4)

3)      Aliens will work for Israel (6:5)

4)      Israel will minister as priest to the world and receive rich offerings (6:6)

5)      Israel will receive a double portion as an inheritance. (6:7)

6)      Israel will be rightfully rewarded and possess an everlasting covenant (6:8)

7)      Israel’s descendents will still be known in the earth (6:9)

8)      People will acknowledge that Israel is clearly blessed of God. (6:9)

9)      Israel rejoices because God has:

a.       Clothe them with salvation

b.      Dressed them in a robe of righteousness

c.       Adorned like a bride or groom

10)  The LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up as surely as seeds grow in the ground season after season.

 

Divisions of
Isaiah 61 & 62

Topic of

Division

 

62:1-5

Promise: Nations will see that God has not
forsaken Israel

 

62:6-9

Promise: Nations will not take the wealth from
Zion in the future

 

62:10-12

Proclamation to scattered Israel to
respond to the work of the Servant and the
salvation that is now available

 

 

62:1

Isaiah will not quite speaking words of truth and faith until they take root in the soul of Israel and           
the things in chapter 61 are fulfilled.

Since this follows 61:11 the thought is that since a farmer plants seeds knowing they will grow   
then the farmer will keep planting seeds until he gets the harvest he wants.

So here with Isaiah.  Isaiah will continue to speak the seed of the Word of God to those who will          
hear until the fruit of righteousness and salvation clearly appear like the blazing sun.

 

62:2

Nations see Israel’s righteousness

Kings see Israel’s glory

Israel will have a new name coming from the mouth of the LORD.

The mention of a new name indicates a change of character.

That new name indicates the new production of righteousness.

Notice here again that this new name, like the new nature, comes from God.

 

This new name is a not announced here so that the descriptions of the new people may continue.

The new name may be a mystery or Isaiah may wait until 62:12 to reveal it.

 

62:3

Israel will be:

1)      Crown in LORD’s hand

a.       In 28:1-4 Samaria was the “crown” (“wreath”) or the pride of the people of that city.  It was a city that sat on the hill of  Samaria.

b.      In 28:5 the LORD and only the LORD is the “crown of glory”

c.       Why is the crown not on God’s head?

                                                               i.      Is this a mixed metaphor of a “crown of glory” with the “hand of protection”?

                                                             ii.      Is the crown going to be placed on someone else’s head.

                                                            iii.      The Lord already has a crown on his head?

 

2)      Diadem in God’s hand

a.        

 

62:4

Here again we see the exchanging of the dismal past for the glorious future:

1)      60:17 – instead of bronze gold, . . .etc.

2)      61:3  - a crown of beauty instead of ashes. . . .etc.

3)      62:4 – Instead of Deserted or Desolate they will be called Hephzibah and Beulah

 

No longer called:

1)      Deserted

2)      Desolate

 

Israel will instead be called which would be special names that God calls his loved people:

1)      Hephzibah = “my delight is in her”

2)      Beulah = “married”

 

“delight” is Hebrew  “chaphets”  it means “to find pleasure in, to take delight in, to be pleased with, to have affection for. 
To feel strong positive attraction for.  This word includes emotion and involvement.  It means to like someone or something very, very much.

 

“married” is Hebrew “b’l” (“ba” = “all” , “al” = “man”) the basic meaning of the word is “to posses”. 
This word is stressing a relationship and not a married condition or state.  This city will not only be lived in again they will be
living in a right relationship with God.  They are at the right place, doing the right thing at the right time.

 

62:5

Marriage

Isaiah 54:5 – your maker is your husband

 

62:6, 7

“watchmen” in Ezekiel are the prophets warning the people

“watchmen” in Isaiah 21:11 is the prophet Isaiah revealing God’s plans and future events

“watchmen” in  Isaiah 52:8 are men stationed on the wall looking for information of the battle

These “watchmen” have the task of reminded the Lord of his plan.

 

Herodotus reports that the Persian king Darius, after he had crushed the revolt in Ionia, kept the flames of war alive in
his mind by ordering a servant to whisper three times to him every day, “Master, remember the Athenians.”

 

The “watchmen” here could be angels in the presence of God who have the job of reminding God of his promises.
Isaiah may have revealed this information so that during the years of desolation Israel would know that God can never
forget these promises because he has stationed angelic creatures to constantly remind him until he does it.

 

The kings of Israel had officials whose title was “mazkir” which comes from the word “to remember”. 
This word is translated in English Bibles as “secretary” or “recorder” (2 Sam. 18:6; 1 Kings 4:3; Isaiah 36:3;

 

62:8

The curses of the covenant can never apply again. 

They have entered into the new covenant.

They have entered into the “everlasting covenant” of 61:8.

 

Paul says in Galatians, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written:

‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’  He redeemed us inorder that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the
Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.”  (Galatians 3:13-14)

 

Notice the covenant language at the beginning of the verse: “The LORD has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm. . .”

 

“Sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm” means what?

a)      arm is strength – God has sworn by his own omnipotent strength

b)      “arm of the Lord” in Isaiah 53:1 and Isaiah 63:5 indicates this is the work of the Messiah. 
God is promising based on the work and covenant established by Jesus.

 

The Conclusion

62:10

Since the promises of chapter 61 and 62 are true and guaranteed, what should Israel’s response be?

 

“Pass through the gates” means to believe the promises and take action.

 

What will the action look like?

Preparing for the day when the nations come to see the Lord in Zion.

 

Isaiah and the Highway Image

7:3 and 36:2

19:23

33:8 and 59:7

11:16; 35:8; 49:11

40:3

 

62:11

The ends of the earth of the Gentile nations are to say to Israel: “Look! Your savior is coming!  And he has a great reward for you!!”

 

The imagery is as if the Gentile nations know it first and inform Israel of the glory God has given them.

 

The Gentile nations are already coming to Israel

 

 

62:12

This is Israel’s new name and character.