March 29, 2011
BUILD THE HIGHWAY
Isaiah 62
Dean Macfarlan
Central Truth
When we have been set free and redeemed by the TRUTH, remaining quiet is not an option. We must grab a shovel and help build the highway so others can travel. (Romans 8:2, Ephesians 6:19-20, 2 Timothy 4:2)
Key Verse | Isaiah 62:6
On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen;
All day and all night they will never keep silent
You who remind the LORD, take no rest for yourselves.
(Isaiah 62:6)
Isaiah 62
Zion's Coming Salvation
1
For Zion's sake I will not keep silent,
and for Jerusalem's sake I will not be quiet,
until her righteousness goes forth as brightness,
and her salvation as a burning torch.
2
The nations shall see your righteousness,
and all the kings your glory,
and you shall be called by a new name
that the mouth of the LORD will give.
3
You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD,
and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
4
You shall no more be termed Forsaken,
1
62:4
Hebrew Azubah
and your land shall no more be termed Desolate,
2
62:4
Hebrew Shemamah
but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her,
3
62:4
Hebrew Hephzibah
and your land Married;
4
62:4
Hebrew Beulah
for the LORD delights in you,
and your land shall be married.
5
For as a young man marries a young woman,
so shall your sons marry you,
and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
so shall your God rejoice over you.
6
On your walls, O Jerusalem,
I have set watchmen;
all the day and all the night
they shall never be silent.
You who put the LORD in remembrance,
take no rest,
7
and give him no rest
until he establishes Jerusalem
and makes it a praise in the earth.
8
The LORD has sworn by his right hand
and by his mighty arm:
“I will not again give your grain
to be food for your enemies,
and foreigners shall not drink your wine
for which you have labored;
9
but those who garner it shall eat it
and praise the LORD,
and those who gather it shall drink it
in the courts of my sanctuary.”
5
62:9
Or in my holy courts
10
Go through, go through the gates;
prepare the way for the people;
build up, build up the highway;
clear it of stones;
lift up a signal over the peoples.
11
Behold, the LORD has proclaimed
to the end of the earth:
Say to the daughter of Zion,
“Behold, your salvation comes;
behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.”
12
And they shall be called The Holy People,
The Redeemed of the LORD;
and you shall be called Sought Out,
A City Not Forsaken.
Dive Deeper | Isaiah 62
As I reflect on this chapter, I am immediately impacted by how much God loves us and is inviting us to experience His glory as we deploy the gifts He has given us to accomplish His kingdom purposes. Chapter 62 is a call to arms, a passionate plea to align myself with the things that matter most, spreading the Good News and loving and serving God's people in hope-filled expectation of His promised return. He is not speaking just of Zion (the temple mount, an actual location in the city) but of the whole world. Just as Isaiah was challenging the people to "get the road ready" for Jesus' arrival, we, too, must take to heart the same commands as we prepare for Jesus' return some day.
We recently returned from Africa. It is a blessing to serve alongside ALARM and see the work God is doing in the people of Central Africa. Upon arriving, you are greeted with "Mzungu," Swahili for white man, translated "someone who roams around aimlessly." That's how Africans see Westerners, turning themselves in a great whirl of motion and without direction. This chapter cautions against that. We should live on purpose, informed by 1 Peter 3:15.
How do we help build the highway? Live like the prophet Isaiah:
We must be grounded in God's Word and have a clarity of calling. Don't be a mzungu with no purpose. We must have a love for the lost.
Isaiah loved his nation. He hated sin and fake religion.
We must persevere in the midst of difficulty. Isaiah courageously denounced kings and priests without fear and did not waver when public opinion went against him. He boldly declared the Word of God. Isaiah was skilled in communicating God's truth.
There will be no lasting peace on this earth until these prophecies are fulfilled. It is clear God is declaring that He delights in His people and enjoys giving them His best. God is reminding us that even though we may disobey Him like Jerusalem did, He is waiting patiently for us to repent and return to Him. We cannot remain quiet . . . we must boldly proclaim the TRUTH and point people to the One who is worthy of our praise.
Discussion Questions
1. Why did Jesus need to post watchmen on the walls? Where were the leaders of the day? What had happened to them? Read 2 Timothy 2:2.
2. What can we do to be vigilant that the same cannot be said of us? Read 1 Peter 3:15.
3. What does is mean to you to help build the highway? How can you determine what "your section of the road" should look like? Hint: Know who God is (Philippians 3:10), know your gifts (1 Peter 4:10), and listen to the counsel of community (Proverbs 19:20-21 & 13:20).
4. Are you praying expectantly? Mark Buchanan in his excellent book The Rest of God reminds us that we should start with God. Survey what He has made. Recite what HE has done. Proclaim who HE is. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
ISAIAH 61-65 (MAR 28-APR 1)
Read Isaiah 61:1-3.
Who is this passage about? Go read Luke 4:18-21. How great is that!
What did Jesus come to do?
Activity: Family Relay
Needed Items: hat, cup of vegetable oil, and a sweat suit.
(The hat represents a crown of gladness; the cup of vegetable oil, oil of gladness; the sweat suit, garment of praise.) Put on the hat and the sweat suit, and carry the oil as you run to and around a tree in your front yard. Run back and have the next family members in order put on the hat and sweat suit and carry the oil as they run around the tree and back. Repeat until everyone has run. Time yourselves and see how quickly you can do it.
After the activity: Discuss how God's grace is a crown of beauty, forgiveness is an oil of gladness, and salvation is a garment of praise.