31 July 2001

Text: Isaiah 62

THE SALVATION THAT GOD PROMISED TO ISRAEL

THE PROMISE OF SALVATION
1. God will not rest till He has fulfilled His promise
"For Zion's sake I will not hold My peace
and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest" Isa. 62:1

2. God makes an oath with reference to His promise to bring salvation to Israel
"The Lord has sworn by His right hand
and by the arm of His strength" Isa. 62:8

3. God has made this oath a public proclamation
"Indeed the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the world…" Isa. 62:11

4. Significance of God giving an oath
"Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath,
That by two immutable things, in which is it impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled to lay hold of the hope set before us" Heb. 6:17-18

A VIVID DESCRIPTION OF THE SALVATION PROMISED

1. God will make Israel a nation known for its RIGHTEOUSNESS
"Until her righteousness goes forth as brightness…" Isa. 62:1

"The Gentiles shall see your righteousness…" Isa. 62:2

2. God will bring GLORY to Israel
"And all kings shall see your glory…" Isa. 62:2

"You shall also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord" Isa. 62:3

3. God will rejoice over Israel and delight in her
"So shall your God rejoice over you…" Isa. 62:5

"The Lord delights in you…" Isa. 62:4

4. God will restore Israel fully
"You shall no longer be termed Forsaken
Nor shall your land be termed Desolate;
But you shall be called Hephzibah (Delight)
And your land Beulah (Married)" Isa. 62:4

5. God will no longer allow enemies to oppress Israel
"The sons of the foreigner shall not drink your new wine
for which you laboured" Isa. 62:8

6. God will give peace to the land
"Surely I will no longer give your grain as food for your enemies" Isa. 62:8
"But those who have gathered it shall eat it,
and praise the Lord;
Those who have brought it together shall drink it in My holy courts" Isa. 62:9

7. God will give Israel "a new name"
"You shall be called by a new name,
which the mouth of the Lord will name" Isa. 62:2

"And they shall call them The Holy People,
The Redeemed of the Lord,
And you shall be called Sought Out
A City Not Forsaken" Isa. 62:12

ISRAEL'S PART IN APPROPRIATING GOD'S PROMISE
1. PRAYER
"I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem;
They shall never hold their peace day or night.
You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent,
And give Him no rest till he establishes
And till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth" Isa. 62:6-7

2. FAITH
"Go through,
Go through the gates!
Prepare the way for the people;
Build up,
Build up the highway!
Take out the stones,
Lift up a banner for the peoples!" Isa. 62:10