The Book of the Prophet Isaiah
Isaiah 62
Chapter LXII · Vol. III, p. 1222
1 The fervent desire of the prophet to confirm the church in God's promises. 6 The office of the ministers (unto which they are incited) in preaching the gospel, 10 and preparing the people thereto.
1 For Zion'sa sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until theb righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.1
a ver.6,7. Ps.137.5,6; 122.6-9. 2 Co.11.28. Ac.12.5. Lu.18.1. Zec.1.12. He.7.25.
b Pr.4.18. ch.46.13; 61.10; 48.18; 54.17. Ps.98.1-3. Re.12.1. Ps.37.6.
1 This is the language of the Messiah—the eternal Intercessor. Zion is the type of his church. This glorious declaration may be compared with the Lord's prayer in John xvii., and with the apostle's statement in He.7.25.—P.
2 Andc the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and dthou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.
3 Thou shalt also be ea crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.
4 Thoug shalt no more be termed Forsaken: neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate; but thou shalt be called Hephzi-bah,2 and thy land Beulah;3 for the LORD delighteth in thee, hand thy land shall be married.
g Ho.1.10,19,20. He.13.5. 1 Pe.2.10, with ch.54.5,6; 63.15; 57.15. Je.3.14,15.
2 That is, My delight is in her, Ps.132.11,13,14. Zep.3.17. ver.5. Ep.5.25.
3 That is, Married, i.e. inhabited and fruitful in saints, Eze.36.10,12. ver.12, ch.60.21. 2 Co.11.2. ch.54.5,6.
h Re.21.9,10.
5 For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shalli thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth4 over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.
6 I have set jwatchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD,5 keepk not silence,
7 And give him no 6rest, ltill he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the 7earth.
* The Messiah sets the example of intercessory prayer. Here his true people are urged to follow that example. Prayer is the proof and symbol of a living church—earnest, importunate, faithful prayer is the hope of the church. God will hear and answer.—P.
6 Heb. silence.
l ver.1,2; ch.60.2,3. De.4.6-8. Ca.6.10. ch.5.3. Zep.3.19,20.
7 See note * in first column.
8 The LORD hath nsworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely oI will no more give8 thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured:
9 Butp they that have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the LORD; and they that have brought it together shall drink it in the courts of my holiness.
10 Goq through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.
Notes
Ver. 1. For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace. Poole ascribes these words to the prophet Isaiah; Aben Ezra, to Israel in captivity; the Targum, to God resolved not to be silent, nor give the nations rest till the coming of the deliverer. By following the grammar of the preceding and subsequent passages, which all uniformly speak in the name of one person, there can be no hesitation in applying these words to Messiah—' God manifest in the flesh.' C.
Ver. 2. Thy righteousness. The righteousness of God, by faith of Jesus Christ, Ro. 3. 22.—Thy glory. The glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ, 2 Co. 4. 6. C.
Ver. 5. Thy sons. Rather, 'thy builders'—God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, building up the church as a living temple, 1 Co. 3. 9, 16, 17. C.
Ver. 10. Go through, go through the gates. Do not tarry at ease in the church, as men in the gaiety and luxury of a city, but pass out of the gates into the uncultivated lands of nominal or perverted Christianity, Mahometan delusion, or heathen darkness, and lift high a standard of testimony to 'the truth as it is in Jesus,' in sight of an ignorant and misled people. C.
Ver. 12. They shall call them. That is, the faithful watchmen who have prepared the way, gathered out the stones, and lifted up the standard, shall call the people so tended and cultivated, 'the holy (the separated and dedicated) people.' C.
Reflections.—Great fervour and perseverance, particularly in preaching and prayer, are necessary in the ministers of Christ. How near to theirs, and especially to Jesus' heart, lie the important concerns of the church! And great and numerous are the blessed fruits of their intercessions. Thrice happy is it, when not only churches are vindicated, but Jesus' righteousness and salvation are clearly exhibited and distinctly perceived; when church-members are spiritually joined to the Lord, and to one another in him; are an honour and pleasure to him; and bring forth the fruits of righteousness, to the praise of his glory; and when divine oracles, ordinances, officers, gifts and graces, and practical holiness, meet together! Thrice happy is it that in the work of our salvation, and of rearing, reforming, and ruling the church, Jesus Christ, and Jehovah in him, are all and in all. Infinite is the condescension, mercy, power, wisdom, care, and faithfulness which he manifests in his work. And such as accept him by a living faith and thus walk in him he will protect.