Isaiah 62

In this passage, the God of recompense and reward (vs 11) is revealing things about His nature and His ways through the foretelling of His servant Isaiah. His reward will amount to a reversal of fortunes for Zion and Israel, the nation and even her real estate (vs 4). The language is very strong. The Lord is swearing; He is vowing, by His might and power, to cause this to come to pass. Where Israel viewed her identity as “forsaken” and “desolate”, God wills that she will one day think of herself quite differently.

What will this look like? These are the words Isaiah chose; gloriously beautiful, royal, holy, desirable, an object of praise worthy of God’s own rejoicing. How will this impossible thing come about? Isaiah chose the imagery of marriage to convey the answer. God’s might and strength will be displayed in the context of “intimacy” (His recompense and reward to His chosen people). The sons of Zion will be wed to their land and the people rejoined to their God. Consequently, she will be a marvel and a crown of glory unto God Himself.

What could possibly be our application from this account of Israel’s ancient history and this prophecy of her future? There is another behind-the-scene variable in the “how” and the “why” of Israel’s transformation. There are a group of people referred to as “watchmen” who would not be quiet nor would their souls find peace until glorious Zion is seen in this earth. God has yoked Himself with these people whom He has appointed to remind Him. Since we know God’s memory is fine and that He needs no reminding, it seems reasonable that his motive is, at least in part, to include men in this process of restoring His people’s identity and destiny.

As a road contractor, I appreciate Isaiah’s,

                 Build up the highways, remove the stones, lift up a standard over the people.

I believe a watchman may be the equivalent to an “inspector” on a highway project. The standards have created a vision in the mind of the watchful inspector and he knows what that project is supposed to look like when it is finished. He understands the processes required to accomplish it and he does not give himself (nor anyone else) rest until it is finished according the “standards”. I believe between now and the time when the Church and Zion are fully glorified we will see more watchmen appear.

Isaiah was a watchman for Zion. Who are the watchman, the standard bearers today for the kingdom of God? I believe they exist. They are the ones in whose listening hearts God has whispered what He intends His kingdom to look like. Watchmen may appear troubled because what has been built to date does not resemble the standard God revealed to them in His word and by His Spirit.

You may be able to recognize them because they are coloring outside the established lines. With a glorious king and His kingdom in mind, they are rethinking and experimenting with new structures and concepts that, to them, more closely resemble the processes they observe in the scripture. The hard questions they ask and the radical proposals they consider are warranted (at least in their view) because the ones they have walked in or observed are not moving toward what they would think of as kingdom standards.

Not all legitimate watchmen are standing on the wailing wall in Jerusalem crying for the restoration of Zion and Jerusalem. Some are weeping and making petition for the restoration of the Church (Christ’s living community and family) and are not giving God (or others) much rest until this community resembles the glorified Bride of Christ referred to in Scripture, who may in turn ultimately serve in the fulfillment of Isaiah’s ancient prophecy.

Paul, was an apostle but he was certainly a watchman too. If this has stirred you at all you should read Romans 11. This is Paul’s heart, that…

         I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen (Israel) and save some of them.

In the grand eschatological scheme of things I anticipate that God will utilize a glorified church to awaken Israel (by way of jealousy) to God’s loving heart toward them.

Father raise up those watchmen who are holding up your standard, clinging to the vision You have of Your Bride and Your kingdom. Raise up those who hunger and thirst for kingdom realities. May the children of Zion awaken to Your call as they see the beauty, the power and the glory progressively revealed in Your Body. May we discover new levels of intimacy with You and may we see many being drawn into the kingdom. Amen.

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