BLAZING TORCH: A fitting reminder of God's great
covenant with Abraham (Gen 15:17). "Lamp" may sig a son and heir to the throne
of David (1Ki 15:4; Psa 132:17).
Isa 62:3
DIADEM: Related High Priest (Exo 28:36-38; Lev 16:4;
Zec 3:5; Rev 19:12).
Isa 62:4
"Hephzibah's reunion with Hezekiah after the miraculous
recovery from leprosy would be like remarriage after a disheartening period of
divorce. All the circumstances presented a most attractive miniature of God's
recent dealings with His people -- their spiritual sickness and desolation, the
sudden dramatic divine deliverance, the regathering of the people to their God,
the glorifying of Zion's Temple, and the awe-struck wonder of Gentile nations"
(WIsa 526).
DESERTED: The word describes a wife put away or
divorced (Isa 54:6,7; 49:14). The Land of Israel, deserted and forsaken, becomes
a garden paradise: Isa 35; 41:18-20; 51:3; 55:13.
Isa 62:5
AS A YOUNG MAN MARRIES A MAIDEN: "Hasty marriage is
utter folly: tempting God, and courting disaster. Even the more sensible element
of the world realizes, and strongly counsels, that acquaintance of at least two
years is essential for any reasonable hope of success. A true believer marries
after long and prayerful consideration, doing all in seemliness and order, and
seeking God's guidance every step of the way -- in joyful harmony with the Body,
and with all who are intimately concerned and affected" (GVG).
MAIDEN: Temple virgins (2Ch 36:17; cp ref to priest:
Isa 61:10)?
SO WILL YOUR SONS MARRY YOU: "Richer expression than
that never could be given to the essential poetry of men's vital union with one
significant land" (TM 39).
SONS: Or "disciples", as in 1Ki 20:35; Heb 2:13; Mat
12:27. Or "builders", by slight emendation (see v 6: walls, etc; cp idea, Psa
147:2).
Isa 62:6
Vv 6,7: "Here is a clear mandate to the Lord's faithful
remnant to besiege heaven with their prayers for the open assertion of the
authority and righteousness of God in the earth. Isaiah knew nothing of the
doctrine that God is working to a rigid unadjustable chronological timetable. He
had no use for disciples who faithlessly omit to pray with all their heart and
soul for the vindication of the holiness of their God. The NT counterpart to
these words is the Lord's intense parable about the importunate widow [Luk
18:1-8], a parable framed before and behind with warnings about the 2nd Coming"
(WIsa 527).
DAY OR NIGHT: Same word "continual" burnt
offering.
SOUGHT AFTER: "The surpassing grace of God is seen very
clearly in that we were not only sought, but sought out... We were mingled with
the mire: we were as when some precious piece of gold falls into the sewer, and
men gather out and carefully inspect a mass of abominable filth, and continue to
stir and rake, and search among the heap until the treasure is found. Or, to use
another figure, we were lost in a labyrinth; we wandered hither and thither, and
when mercy came after us with the gospel, it did not find us at the first
coming, it had to search for us and seek us out; for we as lost sheep were so
desperately lost, and had wandered into such a strange country, that it did not
seem possible that even the Good Shepherd should track our devious roamings...
No gloom could hide us, no filthiness could conceal us, we were found and
brought home... Strange and marvellous are the ways which God used in their case
to find His own. Blessed be His name, He never relinquishes the search until the
chosen are sought out effectually" (CHS).
NO LONGER DESERTED: Ct Christ's words in Mat
23:38.