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Messiah: Zion’s Chief Watchman
Messiah: Zion’s Chief Watchman
Isaiah 62
Where is the biblical evidence that believers are supposed to care about Zion?
Listen to Messiah’s voice in Isaiah 62:1. This is not Isaiah speaking, it’s the Messiah:
“I will not keep silent because of Zion, and I will not keep still because of Jerusalem, until her righteousness shines like a bright light and her salvation, like a flaming torch.” (1)
This verse is a great example of parallelism. That’s when an idea is repeated for emphasis:
Not keep silent / not keep still
Because of Zion / because of Jerusalem
Wow. I did not know that was the Messiah speaking. Are you sure?
Yes, it is the same speaker as 61:1 who said, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me…” We know that was Jesus the Messiah because He said so in Luke 4.
The chapter divisions in the Bible are not in the original texts of the Bible. Chapter divisions were not introduced until around 1200 AD, so they are fairly new. Chapter breaks are helpful for referencing where a particular passage is located. But chapter divisions do way more harm than good. Often, these divisions unnaturally separate thoughts, speakers and/or narratives. When studying the Bible, I recommend ignoring chapter divisions. Instead, study narrative sections.
Now, back to Isaiah 62. Messiah continues to discuss His work with Zion:
“Nations will see your [Zion] righteousness and all kings, your [Zion] glory. You [Zion] will be called by a new name that the Lord’s mouth will announce.” (2)
Just like v. 9 in the previous chapter, the Lord’s work will be visible to all the nations/Gentiles when He establishes Jerusalem for His glory. Apparently, Zion will receive a new name in the future.
“You will no longer be called Deserted, and your land will not be called Desolate; instead, you will be called My Delight is in Her, and your land Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land will be married.” (4)
Here, the Messiah uses strong imagery to communicate His commitment to Zion’s restoration. Here is the what the Moody Bible Commentary says about this imagery:
“The Lord’s delight in Jerusalem will be comparable to the love of a bridegroom for his bride (v. 5). Israel’s depiction as the wife of the Lord does not imply that Israel and the Church (the Bride of Christ) are one and the same. This is merely a metaphor that depicts the covenantal relationship between God and Israel just as the metaphor applies to Christ and the Church. That is not to say that God is a bigamist, married to both Israel and the Church, just that the metaphor is used distinctively of both Israel and the Church.”
So, if this is the Messiah’s work and it is set in the future, shouldn’t we just leave it to Him and we stay out of it?
In verses 6-7 the Messiah says He has appointed certain people as “watchmen”. These watchmen, like the Messiah, will never be silent:
“Jerusalem, I [Messiah] have appointed watchmen on your [Jerusalem] walls; they [watchmen] will never be silent, day or night.” (6a)
And then the Messiah encourages these same watchmen to keep crying out to the Lord for Zion’s sake:
“There is no rest for you, who remind the Lord. Do not give Him rest until He establishes and makes Jerusalem the praise of the earth.” (6b-7)
What is going on? This sounds a lot like Zionism.
Yeah, that’s precisely what it is. But notice: it was not founded by Herzl, Darby or Scofield.
But my college professor said that Zionism is a new thing, an evil colonial invention that must be stopped.
What can I tell you? You can get excited about the Messiah’s work or oppose it with your college professor.
What does the rest of the chapter teach?
Verses 8-9 teach us that Israel will no longer have to feed their enemies, like Hamas:
“The Lord has sworn with His right hand and His strong arm: I will no longer give your grain
to your enemies for food, and foreigners will not drink your new wine you have labored for.
For those who gather grain will eat it and praise the Lord, and those who harvest the grapes will drink the wine in My holy courts.” (8-9)
Wow. There is going to be so much change coming for Israel. Do they know this? Shouldn't we tell Israel what the Messiah is going to do for them?
Yes, we should! Read verse 11:
“Look, the Lord has proclaimed to the ends of the earth, “Say to Daughter Zion: Look, your salvation is coming, His reward is with Him, and His gifts accompany Him.”
Wow! That sounds like sharing with Israel the Bible's teachings about God's work through the Messiah, both past and present work!
That’s right. Even Paul says that the gospel is especially (proton) for the Jewish people in Rom. 1:16. And it is important to keep in mind Israel’s final destiny while we pray for Jewish people and share the gospel:
“And they will be called the Holy People, the Lord’s Redeemed; and you will be called Cared For, A City Not Deserted.”
Wow. I think God may have to deal with Israel’s enemies before this happens, right?
Yes, that begins in the very next verse (63:1):
“Who is this coming from Edom in crimson-stained garments from Bozrah— this One who is splendid in His apparel, rising up proudly in His great might? It is I, proclaiming vindication, powerful to save.”
