Isaiah 62:1-12
Prophet Isaiah lived before blogs, Twitter, on-demand publishing. Time and environment where anyone with library card can write to potential audience of billions. Isaiah primarily a preaching prophet; what we have in 66 chapters – sermon transcripts. Possible exception chapter 6, personal testimony. 40 years of prophetic preaching ministry distilled into 1292 verses, 36120 words (in English). Key points and principles Holy Spirit directed him to record for future generations.
Covered broad range of cultural / theological issues: nation incredibly blessed by God; patient forgiving God; people steeped in rebellion and idolatry; remnant of believers graciously protected and preserved; deliverance from captivity, salvation from sin, future blessing beyond description. It’s all there. Looking far into future, Isaiah saw glory of God at work among redeemed people. Saw fulfillment of promises God had made; promises for our age and age still to come.
Easy to think: God promised deliverer; he came, declared his identity, completed his work, went back to heaven, end of story. Now both God and we just hang on till the end. Not exactly. Gen. 2:2 tells God “rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.” Doesn’t mean God’s been on vacation for few thousand years. Jesus said, “It is finished” but he’s not on holiday either. Work of creation, work of redemption completed, yes. But, more work to do. No rest even for God, just yet. If you are genuine child of God, think as we work through text how much of this applies directly to you, describes what God has done in your life.
A. no rest v.1-2a
the means
loud proclamation
his word going forth – public preaching / teaching of Gospel
man’s rules & regs governing speech no barrier to God – God speaks, will be heard
ongoing activity
no relaxing, no diminishing of intensity until goal is achieved
the end
glory of his people
righteousness and salvation
Holy One of Israel determined to make his people holy
and witness to the nations of God’s great acts of deliverance
no such thing as secret service Christian
God intends world to see, take notice of what he has done
B. new name v.2b-5
name in Bible/Jewish culture more than label (2b)
usually given by one with authority – this case, God himself
often reveals much about individual – e.g., various names for God
new name replaces old name and its associations
change of nature and character (3)
crown – sign of royalty
important: crown of beauty/glory
God doesn’t work to minimums, close enough for gov’t work
all God does is work of art, beauty, displaying his glory
diadem – sign of sovereignty
his people will show his rule over their lives
what they do, how they live explainable no other way
in the hand of the Lord – not on his head
work is not completed, …yet; still adding jewels to his crown
translation note – v.4 better expressed this way:
“You will no longer be called Deserted, and your land will not be called Desolate; instead, you will be called My Delight is in Her, and your land Married.” (HCSB)
change of status (4)
from “deserted” to “delighted in”
formerly ignored, now object of special attention …in a good way, way of blessing and nurturing
change of relationship
from desolate, alone, neglected, unfruitful, without hope for future – to protected, provided for, surrounded by family
radical change
one in whom God delights, over whom God rejoices
God has done the work, made the difference, accomplished the change necessary
delight and rejoicing are genuine, not company face put on for show
but….. not everyone meets necessary conditions for God to delight in them
means there’s more work to do – work God must do – but not do alone
C. new work v.6-10
pastors (6a)
watchmen on the walls
protect and encourage those within by proclaiming truth, warning of danger
must be alert – to ones inside slacking off, ones outside sneaking up
petitioners (6b-7)
“You who put the LORD in remembrance, take no rest, and give him no rest” (ESV)
Paul said “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17)
God never tires of reminders of his promises
keep on without resting until
the work of building the church is complete
individually and corporately
at home, in families, here with brothers and sisters
unreached people; work of our missionaries; labors of sister churches
preparation (10)
make the place ready; enlarge the tent; remove the roadblocks; make the destination obvious
do what it takes so the sanctuary is big enough for all the worshipers
promised blessing (8-9)
guaranteed promise: sworn by his power
so long as God is God and is omnipotent, what he promises will be done
those who labor with God
enjoy his presence – receive his blessing – give him praise for what he has accomplished
D. divine results v.11-12
look who’s coming (11b)
salvation – deliverer
the one of whom prophet spoke in Isa. 53:10-12 – would see his seed, prolong his days, see the labor of his soul and be satisfied.
look who’s with him (11c)
“the Messiah is here described as coming to his people, bringing with him a vast multitude of strangers, or new converts, the reward of his own labours, and at the same time the occasion of a vast enlargement to his church.” J A Alexander
look what God has done (12)
holy – made his people like himself
redeemed – paid the penalty to redeem them from sin
desirable – made them desirable to himself and others
loved – restored to loving relationship
all brought about by what Suffering Servant accomplished when “he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors”
Whew! Guess we need to get busy. God doesn’t sleep, our job to give him no rest. At every possible opportunity, must be pleading with God, reminding God, praising God. If not happy with forward progress of Gospel in the world, where to look first? People of God – are they doing the work God has given? Basically God is saying here: if you want me to build my kingdom, build my church, pray continually and fervently and persistently that I do it. Expecting Christ’s church to grow without prevailing prayer is like expecting Sally to win a race on square wheels. She might eventually get to the finish line but not in 1st place.
May God stir up in us desire for fervent prayer; may we do our part, in prayer for work of the Kingdom at every possible opportunity. May we give God the praise as we see him work in answer to our prayers.
