Isaiah 62:1-5– God will transform Jerusalem form desolation to delight
Isaiah uses the analogy of marriage to express the relationship of Judah to God. He marries His people, His land. It is not the first marriage for God. Like Hosea, He takes His people back again and again. He remarries His people to Himself. What does this say about God’s attitude toward His people? God loves His people “The Lord delights in you” (verse 4). God make His people new – they take, like a bride takes her husband’s name, His name: “You shall be called My delight is in her” (verse 4). God rejoices over His people, “So shall your God rejoice over you” (verse 5). God and His land make a happy couple.
The book of prophecy which foretells the coming of the Messiah now deals with the people who will follow that Messiah. Through the prophet, God promises that he will vindicate His people and save them from their past and they will have a new home. Instead of being forsaken and desolate, they will be God’s delight and will be married to God, Notice how the terminology of the lesson indicates the change of name and status which accompanied the change in status and name of a woman when she married.
The words are addressed to Zion and Jerusalem. In this context the designations refer to the Old Testament church. The message is on that needs to be heard and cannot be kept silent. The message points forward to the church’s future brightness and glory. Zion/Jerusalem will be called by a new name. The word “new” indicates something different, distinctive, fresh and unique. The church would receive a new identity from the LORD. (vs.2) The church will be the LORD’s “beautiful crown” and a “royal diadem” or “kingly turban.”
Collect for the likeness of Christ—O God, by the patient suffering of Your only-begotten Son; You have beaten down the pride of the old enemy. Now help us, we humbly pray, rightly to treasure in our hearts all that our Lord has of His goodness born for our sake that after His example we may bear with patience all that is adverse to us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. [2] -12 January 2022[1] Wedding at Cana, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[2] Collect for the likeness of Christ, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
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