A beautiful prediction of Jerusalem's (Zion's) final redemption.
Verse 1 sets the topic.
For Zion's sake I will not keep silent,
and for Jerusalem's sake I will not be quiet,
until her righteousness goes forth as brightness,
and her salvation as a burning torch.
"...righteousness goes forth as brightness"
I love that.
"...salvation as a burning torch"
The right thing shines bright. And Zion will be the ultimate light for the world. No need for the sun.
Starting in verse 2 we learn more about the final state of Zion.
- The nations will finally see the righteousness of this world-weary city.
- World leaders will finally understand the glory of the Lord
- Jerusalem will receive a new name and be called by that name.
- She will be a crown and diadem of beauty for the Lord.
- No longer known as forsaken and desolate.
- Now know as the Lord's delight and Married.
Forsaken, Desolate, My Delight is in Her, and Married are all uppercase letters, at least in the ESV. These are names she was know as and names she'll be known as. Proper names.
Verse 5 is interesting, as far as Old and New Testament prophesies support one another.
For as a young man marries a young woman,
so shall your sons marry you,
and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
so shall your God rejoice over you.
In the first half, in the final days of Zion, the sons will fully be connected to the land. It will be theirs as man and wife are one. What a relief for them after multiple millennia of fighting to keep or even get back to their land...it will be theirs.
And then in the second half, Jerusalem will be God's bride. Finally righteous for Him.
7.18.24
The thing that strikes me about these last few chapters of Isaiah is just the sheer volume of hope. Just so much hope. And not because they earned and they (and I) most certainly don't deserve it. This isn't the good guys getting saved from the bad guys in a movie. This is a sinful, unfaithful wretch (me) getting a promised future beyond my wildest dream because of who HE IS.
Hope.
It's been on my brain a lot with crazy stuff in my life and coo coo crazy stuff in our nation...with more crazy to come as the presidential election gets closer. Our hope is our anchor and leaves us with faith while still in captivity.
Verses 6-9 are interesting. In this prosperous future, the author says he has placed watchmen on the wall and they will "never keep silent". That's odd to me, since you'd think you'd want watchmen who were quiet and focused; but it mirrors the first verse where the author states that, "For Zion's sake, I will not keep silent." I think it's about praise and how it's always a good time to praise the Lord. Day and night.
Verse is is also a bit unusual in that we should give Him no rest until He established Jerusalem. So maybe not praise, exactly, but prayer. We all have a duty to pray for Jerusalem and His people. And boy do they need it in this world run by their enemy. But hope is here and redemption and restoration is coming.
The rest of that paragraph states that the Lord has promised that foreigners would no longer take the grain and wine worked for by His people- they would enjoy the fruits of their labor.
The final paragraph, verses 10-12 is another glorious proclamation and exhortation:
- go through the gates, clear a way for the people
- build up the roads (for smooth travel)
- remove stones (hindrances)
- lift up the standard over the people
- The Lord has proclaimed daughter Zion's salvation!
- They will be called HOLY, REDEEMED, and SOUGHT OUT, not forsaken.
Blessed be the name of the Lord. what a beautiful, hopeful, good word. Amen.