Exposition by Max A Forsythe
As this chapter opens, there is some discussion over who is speaking. Very many commentators believe that it is Isaiah’s voice in the first five verses. Other scholars believe that it is the Lord speaking throughout the whole of this chapter. If it is Isaiah speaking, then the meaning is that the prophet will not rest until the things predicted have come to pass. If it is the Lord speaking, then the implication is that God Himself will not rest until what He has promised is fulfilled.
Now how do we decide for ourselves which is most appropriate? Let me share with you some comments by J.R. Tolkien at the end of his popular book The Hobbit. In that children’s tale of adventure and providence, the grand old wizard, who had served as mentor to the halfling Bilbo Baggins observed that while some ancient prophecies of Middle Earth had been accomplished through the efforts of Bilbo, that did not mean that his strenuous activities had been for his sole benefit alone. Neither had his strenuous activities accomplished the old prophecies in and of and by themselves. Now the situation before us in our text is of a much different sort, especially since the greatest of the prophecies center on our Lord Jesus Christ and His accomplishments.
Yet minor characters, both elect and worldly, have had and do still have some small part as supporting characters in the grand scheme of things until all prophecies are fulfilled. Yes, in the first half of our text, it is the Lord who is restless to accomplish His final will. And, yes, it is also Isaiah, just like the watchmen later in the chapter who are required to be at their posts and ever speaking. Can the prophet speak without the Lord being in it? How are the worldly to see and hear what the Lord has to say?
Remember, the scene on the road to Damascus when Paul met the Lord? His worldly friends had no comprehension of what was going on. Daniel also reports a vision in the midst of companions who had no idea of what was going on. All they knew was a fear which compelled them to hide. For whose sake did both Daniel and Paul record their experiences? Yes, the worldly may read their reports and still not get it! But the elect will hear and know that all of the prophets and apostles writings are truly inspired and effective in the conversion and uplifting of the Lord’s own elect. So this duality is how I would view the first half of our chapter. Isaiah and the Lord are both speaking to you and me today through these words. “For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet.” Both prophet and God are involved in the working out of the Lord’s will. In the same way, how can we keep quiet about what we have been given to know? For the sake of the Old Covenant elect, Isaiah spoke out.
For the sake of the New Covenant elect, we as well are to not hold back. Ah, and how long must we be speaking? Look at the last part of verse one “till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch”. Isaiah and all of the elect are expected to be witnessing so that “the nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory.” Remember, this is Zion, the Lord’s own Church. In doing the Lord’s work, we are assured here that the Church will be given a new name and a crown. No longer will Jerusalem be deserted, no longer will the promised land be desolate.
Now, the new names mentioned in verse four have a meaning. These new names are probably to be understood, like the new song, in the context of the changes that will dawn in the New Testament era. The name that is called “Hephzibah” means in Hebrew (my delight is in her) and the word “Beulah” translates as (married). Perhaps you might remember a movie image of the Old South in its ante bellum prime. Then, very many of the land owners loved their land, it meant more to them than even personal relationships. Remember Scarlet and her beloved “Tara”?
I know that this image is not the best, but even as some in the South once spoke of their Beulah land, this image of the land being possessed, cared for, protected and no longer abandoned is what leads us to the marriage of Lord and land in this fourth verse. And so Israel’s children will in the same way repossess their land when they return, and in the same way will Zion be rejoiced over by the Lord God Almighty.
We now come to the second division in our text. And here we very definitely are told that the Lord Himself is speaking. The city and the land will be healed; once again Judah will prosper. And in the Lord’s own time Zion’s Savior will come. As we begin this section with verse six, Dr Young dwells much on the watchmen and their role. He focuses the emphasis here on the New Testament pastors, who like the prophets of old, are called to be continually watching out for the safety of Christ’s Church. For this reason it is always wise for spiritually astute members of Christ’s Church to be watching over the flock within the walls, and to be keeping an eye on the world outside as well.
The last half of verse six and all of verse seven are particularly intriguing. In these phrases we return to the dual efforts of verse one. See, those who would be watchers must give themselves no rest as they are instructed. In the same way are they to busy the Lord with hearing their prayers until He comes to finally establish the heavenly Jerusalem.
Do you ever worry about your witness to the world? Do you desire to be more about the Lord’s work? Perhaps an observation from a Japanese businessman might give us pause when it comes to our understanding of the Lord’s work. Recently I read of that worldly observation where such a foreigner observed that whenever he came across protestant evangelists and ministers he felt very much at home with their focus on the business methods of enlarging the Lord’s Church. Back home, he was more familiar with the Buddhist leaders who were only concerned with being Holy Men. Now what are we to make of that statement? What did he really mean? When you consider what he said, you could take offense either way, couldn’t you?
Yes, we must be about the enlargement of the Lord’s Kingdom, but we must also be concerned with the holiness issue as well. Very many of you are uncomfortable with evangelism. Well, how about the task of the watchmen here in this passage who are called to give the Lord no rest until He returns. What we are talking about here is prayer, regular prayer for the reformation of the Church, regular prayer for the conversion of the elect and for the perfect will of God being accomplished in our time. Certainly we do not know when the Lord will return, but how many people are sincerely praying for Him to come quickly?
Yes, we may take some of the images in verses eight through ten as related to the return of the exiles. We may even see the coming of our Savior to Zion’s holy hill. And in the Lord’s own time we may consider the New Covenant Church of verse twelve leading on to the heavenly Jerusalem. Very many of these words and phrases may be applied twice or even thrice to both Covenant bodies and the final heavenly kingdom where both testament churches will spend eternity. May we here today look forward to that great day, and may we be praying for its coming soon. Would you be content to this ministry of prayer? It is easier by far than the witnessing that so many of us are reluctant to be about. And I wonder sometimes that since the Lord has not put into our midst watchers and ministers and people who are not widely experienced and worldly successful in the business outreach mentioned by the Japanese businessman, then perhaps we ought to be more concerned about the ministry of prayer advocated in this chapter by Isaiah. You know, such a prayer ministry could keep us all very busy until the Lord returns. And who knows, such a prayerful ministry might be more effective in the long run as the great day approaches. May you carefully consider the Lord’s calling in this important matter.
Resources Used:
Ellis, Charles..
The Wells of Salvation.
Thomas, Derek..
Welwyn Commentary Series: God Delivers.
Young, Edward J.
The Book of Isaiah.
The Holy Bible.
New International Version (1984 Edition)
NOTE: I am not able to automatically
recommend any future editions.
Christ Covenant Reformed (Presbyterian Church in America) -
Box 13926 - Columbus, OH 43213
(c) 2001
05 February 1995
Permission granted to redistribute unedited versions with this notice.