Suppose we lived in Isaiah\u2019s day. What outward factors and conditions would contribute to our comfort and peace? What circumstances might indicate temporal blessing and prosperity? Living in a fortified and gated city, perhaps, protected by armed guards. Fertile fields close by with fruitful vineyards to provide supplies of food and wine. An honourable reputation, strong, local alliances and proven friends affording a sense of national and regional stability. Long life, good health and large families that bode well for the future.<\/p>\n
Spiritual blessings<\/strong><\/p>\n By such representative images the prophet anticipates the gospel age and comfort and peace of a spiritual kind. He foresees spiritual blessings given to the church which describe its privileges under the Messiah\u2019s rule. Isaiah\u2019s purpose is to encourage God\u2019s remnant people to remain faithful to the divine promises and await their fulfilment in Christ. Zion and Jerusalem are names for God\u2019s elect people and represent the church. Isaiah tells us he must speak of these things. Neither he nor other prophets and preachers of God\u2019s grace can be silent until Christ\u2019s salvation is fully revealed.<\/p>\n A new name<\/strong><\/p>\n Isaiah informs his age that in the days of the Messiah God\u2019s people will have a new name. This may be the name \u2018the church\u2019 into which New Testament believers were gathered or \u2018Christians\u2019 after the One we follow, or perhaps, it refers to our adoption, \u2018that we should be called the sons of God\u2019. There are many names, old and new, by which the redeemed of the Lord, Christ\u2019s Bride, is known. Whatever this name is, it given by the Lord indicating His personal interest and involvement with His people. Whatever it is, it is a new name for a new creation.<\/p>\n In whom the Lord delights<\/strong><\/p>\n Hephzibah means \u2018my delight is in her\u2019 and Beulah means \u2018married\u2019. This signifies that the Lord Jesus delights in His espoused Bride. The Old Testament remnant often felt desolate and forsaken but Isaiah reaffirms the Lord\u2019s faithfulness. The Lord delights in His people and glories in all those He has justified and made holy. According to the terms of the everlasting covenant Christ has adorned His Bride with ornaments of beauty, and cleansed and covered her in pure white garments of righteousness. The Lord Jesus delights in His betrothed and joyfully anticipates His wedding day when He will present her to Himself.<\/p>\n The power of the gospel<\/strong><\/p>\n Christ\u2019s watchmen in the city of Zion are gospel preachers. The bread and wine are spiritual gifts and graces bestowed by the Lord to sustain and refresh His church. God\u2019s powerful right hand, being \u2018the arm of his strength\u2019, will ensure the divine purpose of conversion is fulfilled by the Holy Spirit. All for whom Christ died will be gathered by gospel preaching. The open gates of the city speak of access and the flow of believers into the kingdom of God. Those gates are still open.<\/p>\n A standard held high<\/strong><\/p>\n A highway shall be there. This is a well signposted road, cleared of stones and easy to travel. This may be understood of true gospel preaching and of lifting up Christ as a standard, or ensign, to whom needy sinners are directed to come. Isaiah has spoken previously of this highway, saying, \u2018an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein\u2019.<\/p>\n A message declared<\/strong><\/p>\n It is Christ\u2019s voice that is heard speaking when the gospel is preached. His is a call gratefully received and obeyed by all those effectually enabled by the Holy Spirit. This call goes forth through all the world according to the apostolic commission of the Lord Jesus Christ. God\u2019s servants do not \u2018offer\u2019 salvation based on freewill. They declare the coming of the Lord Jesus for His people with saving power. \u2018Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.\u2019<\/p>\n Holy of the Lord<\/strong><\/p>\n The Lord\u2019s people gathered under the gospel shall be known as \u2018the holy people\u2019 by those who understand and discern God\u2019s justifying work. They are \u2018the redeemed of the Lord\u2019 being the objects of Christ\u2019s saving work. They shall be called \u2018sought out\u2019 because God the Holy Spirit seeks them out from the ends of the earth, from the pit of sin and the ruins of Adam\u2019s fall. They are a city not forsaken because they are forever secure in the palm of God\u2019s hand and shielded with His love.<\/p>\n Looking and listening<\/strong><\/p>\n Isaiah sets forth the gospel in clear terms. Using references to righteousness and holiness, redemption and salvation he builds upon earlier revelations of the Messiah. He expands the vision and firms up the view of Christ for these Old Testament saints. By passages like these \u2018all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem\u2019 were prepared and informed of what to expect from Christ\u2019s coming. They possessed \u2018the faith of God\u2019s elect\u2019 and waited patiently for Jesus Christ that they might hear their new name.<\/p>\n Amen<\/p>\n