Isaiah 62:1-12
Q.1. Should Christian believers pray for the blessing of Zion? What should we pray for Israel? How will such prayers bring blessings to us? – (Isa.62:1-5)
Isaiah the prophet believed in interceding for the people whom he had been called to serve. His prayers were very specific – for Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not keep quiet, until her righteousness goes forth like brightness, and her salvation like a torch that is burning (Isa.62:1). This is in keeping with Abraham who prayed for Lot in Sodom, Samuel after Israel sought a king, and Daniel when he understood that Judah’s exile was coming to an end (c.f. Gen.18:16-33); 1 Sam.12:19-24; Dan.9:1-19). It was in the vein of Paul’s prayers for Israel – 9:1 I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart … 10:1 Brethren, my heart’s desire, and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation (Rom.9.1-2; 10:1). We are to be Christ’s witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the remotest parts of the world (Acts 1:8). Israel’s state then and now, is that they are forsaken and desolate. We should pray earnestly that they will be restored – so your God will rejoice over you (Isa.62:5 c.f. Isa.62:4-5). Our prayers should continue – 1 … Until her righteousness goes forth like brightness, and her salvation like a torch that is burning. 2 The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; And you will be called by a new name which the mouth of the Lord will designate. 3 You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God (Isa.62:1-3). This will happen at the completion of the Great Tribulation when Christ establishes His Millennial Reign on a re-landscaped Mount Zion, with the twelve tribes of Israel around it (Ezk.chpts.40-48). When that is accomplished, we will reign with Christ (2 Tim.2:10-13; Rev.20:6).
Q.2. What is a watchman’s role? How should we pray and act? What encouraging message has God given us to pass on to the people of Israel? – (Isa.62:6-12)
Isaiah called for others to join him as watchmen – 6 On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen; All day and all night they will never keep silent. You who remind the Lord, take no rest for yourselves; 7 And give Him no rest until He establishes and makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth (Isa.62:6-7). It is as in the Lord’s Prayer – May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Mt.6:10). As did the widowed woman in the parable Jesus told, we are told to – at all times to pray and not to lose heart (Lk.18:1). We are called to be watchmen and to constantly petition the throne of grace. This is so because we are living in the Last Days that require vigilance and perseverance (Lk.21:34-36). Peter urged us – since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God … (2 Pet.3:11-12). We are to enter into God’s plans and not be pre-occupied with our own. The Lord promised that a time will come when Israel will never again be threatened by her enemies (Isa.62:7-9). Israel’s fortunes will be forever changed – 11 Behold, the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the earth, say to the daughter of Zion, “Lo, your salvation comes; Behold His reward is with Him, and His recompense before Him.” 12 And they will call them, “the holy people, the redeemed of the Lord”; And you will be called, “Sought out, a city not forsaken.” (Isa.62:11-12). What a wonderful day this will be.