Isaiah 62

1 Because I love Jerusalem, I will continue to speak for her; for Jerusalem's sake I will not stop speaking until her goodness shines like a bright light, until her salvation burns bright like a flame.

2 Jerusalem, the nations will see your goodness, and all kings will see your glory. Then you will have a new name, which the Lord himself will give you.

3 You will be like a beautiful crown in the Lord's hand, like a king's crown in your God's hand.

4 You will never again be called the People that God Left, nor your land the Land that God Destroyed. You will be called the People God Loves, and your land will be called the Bride of God, because the Lord loves you. And your land will belong to him as a bride belongs to her husband.

5 As a young man marries a woman, so your children will marry your land. As a man rejoices over his new wife, so your God will rejoice over you.

6 Jerusalem, I have put guards on the walls to watch. They must not be silent day or night. needs in prayer should never be quiet.

7 You should not stop praying to him until he builds up Jerusalem and makes it a city all people will praise.

8 The Lord has made a promise, and by his power he will keep his promise. He said, "I will never again give your grain as food to your enemies. I will not let your enemies drink the new wine that you have worked to make.

9 The person who gathers food will eat it, and he will praise the Lord. The person who gathers the grapes will drink the wine in the courts of my Temple."

10 Go through, go through the gates! Make the way ready for the people. Build up, build up the road! Move all the stones off the road. Raise the banner as a sign for the people.

11 The Lord is speaking to all the faraway lands: "Tell the people of Jerusalem, 'Look, your Savior is coming. He is bringing your reward to you; he is bringing his payment with him.'"

12 His people will be called the Holy People, the Saved People of the Lord, and Jerusalem will be called the City God Wants, the City God Has Not Rejected.

Isaiah 62 Commentary

Chapter 62

God's care of his church and people. (1-5) The office of ministers in preaching the gospel. (6-9) Every hinderance shall be removed from the way of salvation. (10-12)

Verses 1-5 The Son of God here assures his church of his unfailing love, and his pleading for her under all trails and difficulties. She shall be called by a new name, a pleasant name, such as she was never called by before. The state of true religion in the world, before the preaching of the gospel, no man seemed to have any real concern for. God, by his grace, has wrought that in his church, which makes her his delight. Let us thence learn motives to holiness. If the Lord rejoices over us, we should rejoice in his service.

Verses 6-9 God's professing people must be a praying people. He is not displeased with us for being earnest, as men commonly are; he bids us to cry after him, and give him no rest, ( luke 11:5 luke 11:6 ) . It is a sign that God is coming to a people in mercy, when he pours out a spirit of prayer upon them. See how uncertain our creature-comforts are. See also God's mercy in giving plenty, and peace to enjoy it. Let us delight in attending the courts of the Lord, that we may enjoy the consolations of his Spirit.

Verses 10-12 Way shall be made for Christ's salvation; all difficulties shall be removed. He brings a reward of comfort and peace with him; but a work of humiliation and reformation before him; and they shall be called, The holy people, and, The redeemed of the Lord. Holiness puts honour and beauty upon any place or person, makes them admired, beloved, and sought after. Many events may have been part fulfilments of this, as earnests of more glorious times yet to come. The close connexion between the blessedness of the Jews and of the Gentiles, runs through the Scriptures. The Lord Jesus will complete his work, and he never will forsake one whom he has redeemed and sanctified.

Chapter Summary

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, Isa 62:1,2 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, Isa 62:3,4, in having her sons with her, and the Lord rejoicing over her, Isa 62:5, in having watchmen on her walls, and such as are the Lord's remembrancers in the midst of her, Isa 62:6,7, in plenty of food, Isa 62:8,9, in the coming of the Saviour, and in the gathering of elect Gentiles both to him and her, Isa 62:10-12.