Isaiah 62:1-5

C. REGENERATION OF ZION, CHAPTER 62
1. NEW NAME

TEXT: Isaiah 62:1-5

1

For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her righteousness go forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burneth.

2

And the nations shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory; and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of Jehovah shall name.

3

Thou shalt also be a crown of beauty in the hand of Jehovah and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.

4

Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzi-bah, and thy land Beulah; for Jehovah delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.

5

For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee; and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.

QUERIES

a.

How could Zion's salvation be like a burning lamp?

b.

How is Zion to be a crown in the hand of Jehovah?

c.

What is Hephzi-bah?

PARAPHRASE

For the sake of Zion, I dare not remain silent. For the sake of My holy city, I dare not remain inactive. It has come time for Me to act on her behalf again so that men may not think I have become powerless or defaulted on My promises toward her. I will act historically and supernaturally so that what I do toward her salvation will be as unmistakable as the bright sunshine and a burning lamp. What I am going to do in justification of My people will be so radically different from anything I have ever done before these people will have to be called by a new name, which comes directly from the mouth of God. When God totally remakes His people they will be so glorious they will sparkle and dazzle in God's hand like a jewel-covered diadem. My people will no longer be called Forsaken or Desolate; they shall be called God Is Pleased With Her and Happily Married, because Jehovah will be pleased with her and He will marry her. Just like a young man eagerly takes possession of a virgin when he marries her, so God's people will be eagerly possessed by Him. Just as a groom is delighted with his bride, so God will delight in His people.

COMMENTS

Isaiah 62:1-3 APPEARANCE: Jehovah dare not remain khashah (silent) or shakat (inactive) any longer in relationship to Zion. Apparently this inactivity and silence toward Zion has to do with the long period between the O.T. and the N.T. when there was no God-sent prophet and no specific supernatural action from Him. Of course, God providentially sustained Israel during the intertestamental period. Daniel predicted that He would (Dan. ch. 10-12). But Jehovah dare not allow this period of Jewish indignation go on longer lest His enemies think He has no more concern for them.

So Jehovah will not rest again until He has made Zion so righteous her splendor and glory will be as blindingly evident as the sun in the heavens or a lamp shining in pitch darkness.
What God is going to do in glorifying Zion, the whole world shall see. And it shall be so totally different from what Zion has been before she shall have to be called by a new name. Everything about her will be new; old terminology will be inadequate. This wholly new Zion is predicted by other prophets (Jeremiah 3:15-17; Jeremiah 33:16; Ezekiel 48:35). This prophecy was fulfilled when God's New Covenant people began to be called Christians (cf. Acts 11:26). It was fitting that those married to Christ should be called Christians (cf. John 3:31-36; Ephesians 5:21-33; Revelation 19:6-8; Revelation 21:2; Revelation 22:17, etc.). The Hebrew word shem is the word for name. It means literally, a mark, fame, reputation, monument. God was going to do something so radical to Zion she would henceforth be distinguished by a completely new mark! She would have a new commandment and live by a new love (John 13:34-35). Of course, there were many names by which New Covenant believers were known; e.g., the way (Acts 24:14), saints (1 Corinthians 1:2), brethren (Galatians 1:2), church of God (1 Corinthians 1:1-2) and others.

Notice, the crown of beauty is not on the head of Jehovah, but in His hand. Zion, the church, is a work of His hands and He now beholds the work which contributes to the glory that is already His. The woman (Revelation 12:1-2) which we take to represent the covenant people of God (in both Old and New Testaments) has a crown upon her head. The church is the crowning accomplishment of God through the redemption of the Son. Recreation glorifies God even more than creation!

Isaiah 62:4-5 APPELLATION: The point of the name-change appears to be focused on the changed relationship of God toward His people. He will no longer call them -ezuvah (Forsaken) or shemamah (Desolate). God will eventually call His people khephzi-bah (My Delight is in Her) and be-'ulah (Married). These name-changes may have initial application to God's redemption of Judah from Babylonian captivity. However, their ultimate goal is the changed relationship in the New Zion (the messianic kingdom-church). One is reminded here of Hosea's prophecy of changed relationships and changed names (Hosea 1:8 to Hosea 2:1; Hosea 2:14-23). Hosea's prediction definitely found its fulfillment in the New Covenant church (cf. Romans 9:25-26; 1 Peter 2:10). It may be of interest to know that the Hebrew word be-'ulah (married) comes from the root word ba-'al which means, to have dominion, to be lord over, to possess.

The emphasis on marriage as descriptive of the new relationship stresses the fact that God's concern for His people is not one of mere duty; it is deeper than thatit is love. Just as a young man eagerly possesses (marries) his bride, so Jehovah will join Himself intimately to His people. He makes a covenant of love with His bride (the church) to protect her, sustain her, live with her and give her the honor of His name. He will lavish upon her the best of everything He haseven His own Son to atone for her sins.

QUIZ

1.

Why must Jehovah not remain silent any longer about Zion?

2.

When was Jehovah silent toward Zion?

3.

Why was it necessary to rename Zion?

4.

What is the probable fulfillment of the new name?

5.

How do we know the name-changing refers to the messianic kingdom?

6.

Why illustrate God's relationship to New Zion as a marriage?