August 15 - Isaiah 62:1-5

August 15 – Isaiah 62:1-5

For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch. The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will bestow. You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will be married. As a young man marries a maiden, so will your sons marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.

I’m not so sure that the names Hephzibah and Beulah would carry great delight these days, but Hephzibah means ‘my delight is in her’ and Beulah means ‘married.’  What a great contrast to the names Deserted, in whom no one obviously delights; and Desolate, who will never carry children or be loved.

The theme of the bridegroom is such a strong one throughout this imagery.  The Lord brings His people to Him as a bride … fully forgiven, righteous and pure. 

In the first verses of this chapter, I almost feel the anticipation of the author as he can barely contain himself. 

The rejoicing that comes from the salvation of the nation is extravagant! 

Luke 15:7 says, “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

In Isaiah we see the speaker yearning to sing out to the nations, the joy of Israel’s relationship with the Lord God. In Luke we see the entirety of heaven rejoicing over one lost sinner.

The path back to the Lord can be difficult.  Israel faced tremendous hardships as they walked away from and then returned to the Lord.  But, God never left them alone, though they infuriated Him at every turn.  He disciplined them and then did everything He could to draw them back to Himself and when the final day comes, the rejoicing will be extraordinary!  Even God will rejoice!