Saturday, January 4 – Isaiah 62, 63

Study Questions:

1.What will Jerusalem no longer be called, and what will it be called instead? (Isaiah 62:4)

2.Why did the Lord fight against His people? (Isaiah 63:10)

Commentary and Reflection:

The messages of the prophet, which we read today in book form, were proclaimed initially to the people during his ministry.

Isaiah 62 is a beautiful prophetic poem that reflects God’s profound love for His people. The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary provides this insight:

“This chapter continues the theme of ch. 61, without interruption—the glorious future of Israel as God’s chosen messenger of truth to the world, on condition that she remain faithful to Him (see pp. 26–30). Israel failed to live up to her exalted privileges, therefore the promises must find their fulfillment in the church today (see pp. 35, 36). Christ is still the speaker, as in ch. 61:1, and tells what He will do in behalf of Zion (see on Ps. 48:2). Zion was a poetic name for Jerusalem.” (SDA Bible Commentary, Isaiah 62:1).

This beautiful prophecy will soon be fulfilled when Jesus returns for His people.

Verse 2 tells us that God’s people will receive a new name. Similarly, Revelation says:
“To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it” (Revelation 2:17, NKJV).

“You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married” (Isaiah 62:4, NKJV).

“Hephzi-bah. Literally, “my delight is in her.” This name betokened restoration to divine favor. Hephzibah was the name of Hezekiah’s wife (2 Kings 21:1), as Azubah, “forsaken,” was of of Jehoshaphat’s mother (2 Chron. 20:31).

Beulah. Literally, “possessed,” or “married” (see Eze. 16:8). She who had been in a state of widowhood and desolation would become the honored wife of King Messiah! Compare Hosea’s child, whose name was changed from Loammi, “not my people,” to Ammi, “my people” (Hosea 1:9, 10; 2:1). (SDA Bible Commentary, Isaiah 62:4).

Beautiful hymns reference the name Beulah to describe the new earth God is preparing for His people.

“You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth” (Isaiah 62:6–7, NKJV). This is a call to remain constant in prayer and in dependence on the Lord, for He is the one who accomplishes this glorious work for His people.

Isaiah 63:3, 5 is a messianic prophecy. The “winepress” is a symbol of suffering:

When the Messiah came He went through His bitter agony in Gethsemane alone. His disciples, who should have comforted Him, had fallen asleep (Matt. 26:36–45). His humanity shrank from the terrible ordeal He was about to pass through. Beholding the impending fate of a doomed world, He accepted “His baptism of blood, that through Him perishing millions may gain everlasting life” (DA 693). On the cross, enshrouded by the supernatural darkness, He felt even more alone (Matt. 27:46; DA 754).” (SDA Bible Commentary, Isaiah 63:3).

Isaiah 63:15–19 records a heartfelt prayer pleading for God’s help.

“The basis of Israel’s plea is that they had sunk to the level of the heathen, who had never acknowledged God. Was that right? Should God allow the children of Abraham, those who had acknowledged Him as their Father (v. 16), to be in the same condition as others whom He had never recognized? Isaiah’s confession on behalf of the people (see on ch. 59:12, 13) here reaches its lowest depth of anguish. They feel themselves to be deeply humiliated in that God has seemingly rejected them, and they beg humbly that they may not be cast off utterly. It is this spirit of utter dejection and despair that causes them to lift up their eyes to Heaven in the prayer that opens the following chapter. For the background of this situation see on ch. 40:1.” (SDA Bible Commentary, Isaiah 63:19).

Treasure in your heart the promises found in these chapters. Today, receive this message from the Lord:

“Indeed the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the world: ‘Say to the daughter of Zion, “Surely your salvation is coming; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him.”’ And they shall call them The Holy People, The Redeemed of the Lord; and you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken” (Isaiah 62:11–12, NKJV).

Pastor Abel Paulin