From Night to Noon
W. Clarkson Isaiah 62:1-7 For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest… The passage rather implies than states a very sad condition in which Israel is found, and it suggests to us, as a starting-point - I. DARK DAYS THROUGH WHICH A CHRISTIAN CHURCH MAY PASS, The evils and miseries which may then be endured may include, as with Israel at the time of this prophecy: 1. Reduced numbers, causing weakness and humiliation, perhaps approaching extinction. 2. Submission to some kind of bondage; either to the tyranny of some spiritual delusion, or to the despotism of some other master than the Lord of love and righteousness. 3. The actual withdrawal of Christ; a condition in which it is rightly called "the Forsaken," for "he does not many mighty works because of unbelief." He does not dwell there, but passes by; he does not manifest his presence and his power in regenerating, or renewing, or sustaining grace. 4. The appearance of utter forgetfulness on the part of its Divine Head. There is such an absence of all fruitfulness, all usefulness, all moral and spiritual beauty, that its most appropriate name is "The Desolate One." II. THE DUTY OF ITS MINISTERS and its best friends in these dark days (vers. 1-6). 1. Pleading with God for his people. For Zion's sake not holding peace, for Jerusalem's sake not resting, but continually and earnestly interceding with God that he will pity, will interpose, will restore. 2. Pleading with his people in God's name. The function of the prophet was to speak for God, and especially when his truth was forgotten and his will neglected. The duty and privilege of the minister of Christ is to declare with all fearlessness and fidelity, and with all needful reiteration, the truth which has been forgotten, the commandment which is being disregarded. This duty is shared by any others, particularly by any other officers, to whom the Spirit of God may reveal his will. III. THE FUTURE WHICH IT IS IN THE POWER AND IN THE HEART OF GOD TO CONFER. 1. Deliverance from these distressing evils. There shall be "salvation" (ver. 1). The bonds shall be broken, the delusions dispelled, the assumption of power removed, the "evil thing in the midst" which prevented the indwelling of Christ shall be cast out. 2. Manifestation of the Master's favour. Its "righteousness" in his sight shall "go forth as brightness:" there shall be such tokens of Divine favour that all who dwell around and observe shall "see its righteousness" asserted and behold its "glory" (ver. 2). 3. The possession of its Lord's regard. Its new name, "Hephzi-bah," shall indicate that its Lord delights in it, looks upon it with a glad approval, holds it in his right hand (Revelation 2:1) as a man holds a crown or diadem, as something of rare value, of great price in his esteem (ver. 3). 4. The outpouring of its Lord's affection. Its new name is also to be "Beulah:" for it is to be dear to his heart as is the bride to the bridegroom, the object of his fervent love. We may be so conscious of our shortcomings and of our departures from God's will that we may fail to realize the fulness of our privilege. But it is our sacred duty to be dissatisfied with ourselves, as portions of the Church of Christ, until we are such as he can regard with Divine love and affection, such as he can prize as very precious crowns or diadems. If this seems impossible as things are, it behoves us to humble ourselves before him, to plead with him in penitent prayer, to rededicate ourselves to his service, until the hour comes when not only will the darkness have given way to dawn, but the dawn to noontide brightness. - C. Parallel Verses KJV: For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. WEB: For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her righteousness go forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns.