Tyndale Open Study NotesIsaiah 62

The servant here commits himself to proclaiming the good news continuously until the glory of Zion is realized.

• The true beauty and glory of God's people would not be in earthly treasures or a rebuilt city. Instead, it would shine from their righteousness. Others would be attracted by this divine gift.

• A new name shows the change in Zion's status (see Isaiah 62:4).

• Forsaken: During the exile in Babylon, the Lord left his people to face the judgment they deserved (Isaiah 54:7).

• His bride: The people will be "married" to the Lord, symbolizing a close covenant relationship (Isaiah 54:5; Hosea 1–3).

• The watchmen probably represent the prophets.

• they will never be silent day or night: They will continually seek the full restoration and blessing of Zion, unlike the destructive watchmen of Isaiah 56:10.

• The Lord swore an oath just as he did when he had sworn an oath:

  • to Noah (Genesis 8:20–9:17),

  • to Abraham (Genesis 22:16; see also Luke 1:73; Hebrews 6:13), and

  • to David (Psalm 89:3).

• Never again will I give: To punish and cleanse a small group of his people, God allowed the Assyrians and Babylonians to destroy them (see Isaiah 6:12–13). He promised not to do this again.

The people would enjoy the results of their work (Isaiah 65:13, 22; see Leviticus 23:39–40; Deuteronomy 14:22–26). This is the opposite of what happened when God judged them (see Deuteronomy 28:38–40; Amos 5:11; Micah 6:14–15).

This call to prepare for God’s coming salvation combines elements from all parts of Isaiah:

• the proclamation (the banner, see Isaiah 5:26),

• the preparation of the road (Isaiah 40:3; 57:14),

• God's arrival with his reward (Isaiah 40:5, 9–10), and

• the holy and redeemed people (Isaiah 35:8–10).

• highway: See also Isaiah 40:3; 57:14.

• A banner for all nations to see serves as a signal. It directs foreigners to come to Zion for God's salvation. Earlier, a similar signal called for the nations to attack Judah (Isaiah 5:26).