Isaiah 62:10-12

3. NEW NATURE

TEXT: Isaiah 62:10-12

10

Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up an ensign for the peoples.

11

Behold, Jehovah hath proclaimed unto the end of the earth, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.

12

And they shall call them The holy people, The redeemed of Jehovah: and thou shalt be called Sought out, A city not forsaken.

QUERIES

a.

What is an ensign?

b.

When were they called The holy people?

PARAPHRASE

Zion you must get out of the middle of heathenism, separate yourself once and for all from such a life, and build your highway toward the City of God as He is preparing it for you. Your mission is to become, as it were, a flag or signal toward which people from all over the earth may be drawn to find God. Listen, this is what Jehovah has announced to the whole world; Zion, your salvation is surely coming, and all the blessings and judgments promised in connection with that salvation are coming also. When this great salvation comes Zion's citizens will be acknowledged as holy, separated unto the Holy God, purchased by Jehovah. Zion will at last be what she was intended to be, Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.

COMMENTS

Isaiah 62:10-11 SEPARATED: The admonition to Judah here is that she prepare to separate herself from paganism in order that she may become the remnant through which Jehovah will build New Zion (the redeemed messianic church). Judah will soon go into captivity. There she will be surrounded by the idolatry and carnality with which she is so enamored in her own land. It will be a great temptation to all of the Jews to compromise the truth of God's revelation and take up with paganism to the extent that when the time comes to return to Palestine and restore the Jewish commonwealth they will all decide to remain in Babylon (see our comments Isaiah 48:20-22). These verses are similar to Isaiah 40:3-4 and Isaiah 57:14.

God had placed the Hebrew people in Palestine so they might be a sign and witness to all the heathen world around them of the Only Righteous, Omnipotent, True God (cf. Exodus 19:5-6; Ezekiel 5:5 ff). Israel was to be masas (ensign) or standard, flag, banner, sign, token, by which the world was to be attracted to her God. But she showed pirate colorsshe demonstrated more paganism than the pagans (Ezekiel 5:5 ff; Jeremiah 18:13, etc.).

Now the Lord is calling her back to her divine mission and predicting that there will be a remnant who will choose to fulfill this mission and eventually form New Zion (the church) which will draw people from all nations to her.

Jehovah will accomplish Zion's redemption. He will pay the price. He will conquer her most powerful enemies, sin and death (in the Messiah). But Zion must exercise her will and accept that salvation by faith, repentance and obedience to the covenant terms. Repentance and faith requires an obedient turning away from sin, separating oneself deliberately and willingly from all that God prohibits and living deliberately and willingly what God commands. Covenant terms for New Zion involves obedience in baptism (immersion in water), Acts 2:38; Acts 8:12-13; Acts 8:38-39; Acts 10:47; Acts 16:15; Acts 16:33; Acts 18:8; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:1-6; Galatians 3:26-27; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21, etc.). Zion is also to announce to the world the proclamation that God has accomplished salvation. With acceptance of God's proffered salvation comes the rewards of all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3; Ephesians 2:6). With rejection of God's proffered salvation comes the recompense of judgment (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9).

Isaiah 62:12 SANCTIFIED: When Zion separates itself from paganism and accepts the Lord's salvation, she shall be acknowledged as holy. It will be apparent to the whole world that she is dedicated, set-apart, and belongs to the Lord of Glory, author of Life and Righteousness. This is what the church of Christ is fora testimony of the Holy God. She is to fulfill what God intended for Israel (Exodus 19:6). The world is to acknowledge that members of New Zion consider themselves purchased (redeemed) by Almighty God. Zion is to testify that her citizenship is in heaven and that she has no abiding place hereshe is a city of sojourners whose destiny is the Eternal Jerusalem where God dwells forever and ever.

QUIZ

1.

Why is Zion admonished to go through the gates? What gates?

2.

What must Zion do concerning the salvation offered by Jehovah?

3.

What will the New Zion fulfill that Old Zion did not?