If Jesus is lifted up the world will be drawn to Him and in Him alone the world will have peace!
Isaiah 62:1-4 For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace, And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, Until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, And her salvation as a lamp that burns. 2 The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, And all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, Which the mouth of the Lord will name. 3 You shall also be a crown of glory In the hand of the Lord, And a royal diadem In the hand of your God. 4 You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, Nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate; But you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; For the Lord delights in you, And your land shall be married. The New King James Version
God will not rest until Israel’s King is seated on His throne. The land of Israel would be restored by the hand of God and His people would be called to return to their promised land. Their future is secure and they will be a gem in the eyes of God. Everyone will know Him from the least to the greatest. The outpouring of God’s judgement on the world will begin and end with the seven years of tribulation. Then the world will be at rest in the Kingdom of Christ.
Nehemiah 2:9-10 Then I went to the governors in the region beyond the River, and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me. 10 When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of it, they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel. The New King James Version
The land of Israel was barren for a long time. God told Nehemiah to fix up the city walls to protect it and make Jerusalem a home for God’s people again. But the neighboring countries didn’t like it and tried to stop him. But God is stronger than anyone, and His plans always come to pass. The land that God promised to Abraham and his descendants is blessed and belongs to them alone. Carla
For the sake of Zion refers to the redeemed of God’s people who are brought back to Zion or Jerusalem. Yahweh’s redemption of Israel created a righteous remnant. They are righteous because of God’s forgiveness, not because of their merit or ability to keep the covenant on their own. The nations eventually see and respond to the righteousness established by God’s salvation. A similar sentiment is found in 60:3 and Psalms 98:2.
Jerusalem is named “City of Yahweh” in 60:14. Isaiah 1:26 also predicts Jerusalem will be called the “city of righteousness,” and Zechariah 8:3 names it the “faithful city.” In Isaiah 62:4, the city is called Hephzibah or “My Delight is in Her,” which may be the new name indicated here.
The renaming of locations and individuals is a common motif for declaring change. Abram is renamed Abraham (Genesis 17:5); Jacob is renamed Israel (Genesis 32:28). Places are named based on events or associations with the location, such as Bethel in Genesis 28. The name captures the essence of the person or place, so renaming signifies a fundamental change of purpose or status. Receiving a new and secret name is part of the coded symbolism of apocalyptic literature, such as the book of Revelation (Revelation 2:17; 3:12).
Zion lamented that God had forsaken her in Isaiah 49:14, using the same Hebrew verb; the reversal of that status was announced in 60:15. In 54:1, Zion is called “desolate.”
The name be'ulah is Hebrew for “married.” This marriage represents a restoration of the covenant that had been broken. The prophets describe Israel’s idolatry metaphorically as adultery. Yahweh explicitly pointed out that He had not divorced them in 50:1. Faithlife Study Bible (Is 62:1–4).
The repetition of righteousness shows that the divine oracle and the prophet’s comment are linked. A new name, like new clothing signifies a new status (Genesis 17:5, 15; 32:28; Revelation 2:17). Zion does not receive a crown of glory, or royal diadem, but is one in the hand of the Lord. The NKJV Study Bible
Isaiah 54:5–7
For your Maker is your husband,
The LORD of hosts is His name;
And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel;
He is called the God of the whole earth.
For the LORD has called you
Like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit,
Like a youthful wife when you were refused,”Says your God…
Isaiah 1:26
I will restore your judges as at the first,
And your counselors as at the beginning.
Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness,
the faithful city.”
Isaiah 28:5
In that day the LORD of hosts will be
For a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty
To the remnant of His people,
Isaiah 60:3
The Gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.
Zechariah 9:16
The LORD their God will save them in that day,
As the flock of His people.
For they shall be like the jewels of a crown,
Lifted like a banner over His land—
Psalm 27:1 (ESV) "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
Because Jesus came to earth as fully God and fully man, lived a perfect life, died on the cross, and rose from the grave, we have confidence in His victory over our greatest enemies: sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:57). We can walk in that security, knowing that if the Creator of the universe is for us, no one can be against us (Romans 8:31).
God's light isn't just with us in the dark. He eliminates the dark. No matter what we face, we don't need to be afraid: His light will always win. First5
…gratitude expands our world, and allows us to look out beyond our angst, to a world where we can create space, sanctuaries for mercy and wholeness and compassion and gentleness and empathy.
Our world becomes bigger, never smaller.
And allows for inclusion and inherent dignity and replenishment and healing.
Onward together. Sabbath Moments
Prayer for our week...
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
Let There Be Peace on Earth
The peace that was meant to be
With God as our Father
Brothers all are we
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.
With ev'ry step I take
Let this be my solemn vow
To take each moment and live
Each moment in peace eternally
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
Jill Jackson-Miller and Sy Miller
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