Again in today’s Lesson/Text … God (through His Prophet Isaiah) is speaking to Israel:
“Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.” Isaiah 62:4-5
“Forsaken” and “desolate,” what bleak adjectives. Yet they accurately describe Israel’s history for many a year.
But, because of Calvary, because of God’s deep Love for those people we call the Jews … soon they will be called “Hephzibah” (meaning “a delight”) and their land will be known as “Beulah” (meaning “married”) … what a reversal of circumstances!
God is excited about Israel’s “conversion!”
As we shall soon see, Isaiah 66:8 pictures the Salvation Event coming to Israel some day. “Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? OR SHALL A NATION BE BORN AT ONCE? for as soon as Zion travailed (came under Holy Ghost conviction), she brought forth her children.”
Wow, the equivalent of the “New Birth,” in New Testament language! “In one Day” as well! The Day Jesus comes again to earth, His Second Coming, riding that that white horse of victory so well described in Revelation chapter 19.
But just HOW EXCITED is God?
Verse 5 of our Text tells us: “For as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.” Wedding language! Depicting one of the happiest days of any young man’s life!
Makes me think: God wants sinners saved far more than any sinner ever wanted to be saved! As in “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16, maybe the best known verse in all the Bible.
One more note, the first clause of verse 5 above … “For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee.” This implies that Israel has many sons who have turned away from her. Have been ashamed of their heritage. Many so-called Jews in America today (liberals, especially politicians it seems) appear to “hate” the little nation of Israel! And the current Prime Minister of Israel (as I write this anyway) is hated by multitudes in that fair Land!
BUT THIS SAD CONDITION TOO IS GOING TO CHANGE IN THE FUTURE, IN THE MILLENNIUM! When all Israel’s progeny (her sons) will “marry” their homeland. Will again be sympathetic (fall in love) with Israel!
Oh Lord, Thy Will be done!
As I said in the Lesson’s title … “and the good news just keeps coming” .. for saved Israel!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
Truly, Hallelujah!
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