Bible Commentaries

Isaiah 62:1. For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace. The Redeemer speaks by his prophet; the zeal of his Father’s house absorbed his soul. He imparted his Spirit to the apostles; they could not be deterred from declaring the resurrection and the glory of their Lord. The same Spirit accompanied St. Paul, in all his labours and travels throughout the Roman world. He said in word and deed, I count not my life dear to me, so that I might testify the gospel of the grace of God, and finish my course with joy. The same Spirit now inspires ministers in some degree for the revival of religion at home, and for the diffusion of the gospel abroad. The prophet indeed meant, that the first drops of the shower should fall on the Jews; but whatever were the graces conferred after their restoration, they were by no means commensurate to all those glorious things spoken of Zion in the latter day.

The prophet thus inspired, would not hold his peace. Why should a minister sit silent while the wicked blaspheme? He would cry, oh altar, against idolatry; and raise his voice against all the wickedness of the land. The prophet would continue his sermons, and conflicts with sin, till the righteousness of Zion should shine out like the rising sun by day, and the burning lamp by night. Isaiah did not live to see the restoration of Israel, but Christ ever liveth to make intercession. He raised up Ezra, Nehemiah, and others; he raised up a Paul, the first minister of the gentile world, who fought a good fight, and died in the faith, that the fulness of the gentiles should come in, and all Israel be saved, as the Lord had promised. Isaiah 59:20. He adds, “for the gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory,” in all the unfoldings of thy counsel and love to thy church and people.

Isaiah 62:2. Thou shalt be called by a new name; by the name of the Lord, thy Maker, and thy husband. Agrippa’s wife assumed the name of Agrippina; and Caius’s wife is called Caia. See more on Isaiah 65:15. Acts 11:26.

Isaiah 62:3. Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord. All the glory of the nations shall encircle thy head, prophets and apostles shall be the gems of thy crown; the Lord himself will rejoice over thee, and cover thee with his glory.

Isaiah 62:4-5. Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken, a repudiated woman, whose habitation is desolate; but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, that is, my delight. It is not proper to read, my delight is in her, the feminine being understood. Hephzibah was queen to King Hezekiah, a favourite name in Israel. 2 Kings 21:1. And thy land Beulah; that is, married, the bridegroom will dwell with the bride. For as a young man marries a virgin, and delights in the wife of his youth, so will thy God rejoice over thee; or literally, be married to thy children, for the promises of grace are given to the church throughout all generations.

Isaiah 62:6. I have set watchmen upon thy walls, oh Jerusalem. Such is the character of man, that watch and ward must be kept in all cities, and in times of war and danger, upon the walls. The watch was equally set day and night in the temple; the levites there, as in the city, gave the hour of the night. If the captain, on going his rounds, found a centinel asleep, he took out his candle, and ignited his linen dress, and roused him by a severe stroke on the back with the end of his spear. Hence the phrase, “Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments.” Revelation 16:15.

The improvement here to the spiritual watch-men, may be found in Ezekiel 3:17-21. Ye that make mention of the Lord, and blow the trumpet, keep not silence. Be devoted to the double duty of preaching to the people, and praying for the church. Elevate your souls, take a thousand promises with you, rise in the height of argument; for He who has declared his covenant, will confirm all its promises. He has sworn by lifting up his right hand, that the Assyrian armies shall no more devour the harvests and flocks of Israel. Habakkuk 3:17. Therefore, cast up a highway, and lift up a standard, that the people may return from Babylon, and see his salvation.

Isaiah 62:11. Behold the Lord hath proclaimed to the end of the world, by a succession of promises; therefore say now to the daughter of Zion, “Behold thy salvation cometh.” The ancient Versions read, Behold thy Saviour cometh. ישׁעךְ yishâac. ιδου ο σωτηρ σοι. The Latin also is SALVATOR, or Saviour. The constant prayer of the church has been, Oh that the Salvation of Israel were come out of Zion. Psalms 14:7. The corresponding promise is, The Redeemer shall come to Zion. Isaiah 59:20. Such also is the ever-living hope of the christian church.

REFLECTIONS.

Isaiah here, as is the manner of the prophets, by good things that are near, designates better things which are remote. Zion is comforted with the promises of restoration; but alas, with a succession of wars and troubles, which terminated in the final destruction of her temple. But there is a Zion, built above the hills of human power, against which the gates of hell shall not prevail; she is the Zion which shall be made the praise of all the earth. The Lord has given his Son the heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession.

Watchmen, lift up your voice; blow the trumpet, give warning to the slumbering world; the danger is as great as their sins. If you tread in the steps of St. Paul, sent to turn the gentiles from darkness to light, and to complete the work he began, let each imagine that he really is St. Paul, preaching everywhere to Jews and Greeks; standing before courts, reasoning of righteousness, temperance, and a judgment to come. At other times declare the power of grace in your own conversion, to promote conversion in those that hear. Thus preach, and work, and fight, that you like him may receive the crown.