Isaiah 62

6–7 The watchmen whom Isaiah has posted on Jerusalem’s walls are prophets and other godly people whose job is to pray persistently that Jerusalem might be established; they are to give God no rest until it happens (verse 7). Jesus taught the value of persistent prayer in His parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1–8).

8–9 These verses clearly indicate that the Zion Isaiah is referring to in this chapter is a future Zion, which has not yet been established. “Never again will I give your grain as food for your enemies,” says the Lord (verse 8). But five centuries after the post-exilic Jerusalem had been restored, the city was utterly destroyed by the Romans. It was again destroyed by Muslims in the Middle Ages. Therefore, the Lord must be referring here to a Jerusalem that is yet to be.²²⁸

10–12 Pass through . . . the gates (verse 10)—out through the gates of Babylon and in through the gates of Jerusalem! Isaiah calls for the way to be prepared for the Savior and His people, who are His reward and recompense (verse 11). “See, your Savior comes!” (see Isaiah 40:3,9–10; 57:14; Matthew 21:5).

The Savior’s people will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the LORD (verse 12). The Israelites knew what it was to be redeemed from Egypt. They were called to be a holy nation (Exodus 19:6). We too, as Christians, are called to be a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9). And herein lies the importance of Isaiah’s message in our day: we, the church of Christ—at present imperfect, struggling and persecuted—are the Holy People of God. And just as Isaiah prophesied, we too will one day be the praise of the earth (verse 7) and a crown of splendor in the LORD’S hand (verse 3). Therefore, with Paul, let us press on toward the goal (Philippians 3:13–14).