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]
[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
No comments:
Post a Comment