LHC Midday Word: The Book of ISAIAH

Zion’s new name

For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,

for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet,

till her vindication shines out like the dawn,

her salvation like a blazing torch.

The nations will see your vindication,

and all kings your glory;

you will be called by a new name

that the mouth of the Lord will bestow.

You will be a crown of splendour in the Lord’s hand,

a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

No longer will they call you Deserted,

or name your land Desolate.

But you will be called Hephzibah,

and your land Beulah;

for the Lord will take delight in you,

and your land will be married.

As a young man marries a young woman,

so will your Builder marry you;

as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride,

so will your God rejoice over you.

I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem;

they will never be silent day or night.

You who call on the Lord,

give yourselves no rest,

and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem

and makes her the praise of the earth.

The Lord has sworn by his right hand

and by his mighty arm:

‘Never again will I give your grain

as food for your enemies,

and never again will foreigners drink the new wine

for which you have toiled;

but those who harvest it will eat it

and praise the Lord,

and those who gather the grapes will drink it

in the courts of my sanctuary.’

Pass through, pass through the gates!

Prepare the way for the people.

Build up, build up the highway!

Remove the stones.

Raise a banner for the nations.

The Lord has made proclamation

to the ends of the earth:

‘Say to Daughter Zion,

“See, your Saviour comes!

See, his reward is with him,

and his recompense accompanies him.”’

They will be called the Holy People,

the Redeemed of the Lord;

and you will be called Sought After,

the City No Longer Deserted.

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Word by Word Meditations

by Fred Ursell

Isaiah 62: “Hephzibah” (v.4)

Isaiah prophesied that his people would be permanently “called by a new name” (v.2). This name (“Hephzibah” v.4) means ‘my delight is in her’ and it epitomises his declarations “the LORD will take delight in you” (v.4) and “as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you” (v.5). How sweet to be pardoned, and cherished too! “You will be a crown of splendour … a royal diadem” (v.3). “No longer will they call you Deserted, or … Desolate” (v.4). “You will be called Sought After” (v.12). He wants you to enjoy his love!