January 22: WORDS FROM HEAVEN
For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace, And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, Until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, And her salvation as a lamp that burns. Isaiah 62:1
The speaker is the Spirit of Christ, in a perfect continuation from chapter 61. In His omniscience, He sees a glorious future for His people, both before His coming — helping to prepare the world for His arrival — and for eternity. Today’s verse points toward earth’s last days. The darker the world becomes, the brighter the light of Christ will appear to lost souls.
The Hebrew meaning of the name Zion is highest point, citadel, or fortress. It is rooted in the Hebrew word Tsiyon, which refers to a specific hill in ancient Jerusalem that was captured by King David (2 Samuel 5:6-7) from the taunting Jebusites. From that pivotal event, Jerusalem was built as Israel’s capital. This name is a compound word. Yeru means foundation, and shalem means wholeness/completeness. A widely accepted translation for Jerusalem is city of peace.
If we combine the concepts behind these two terms (Zion and Jerusalem), we might say “the highest point of completeness”. God’s last-day people have the decided advantage of hindsight. Though the earthly Jerusalem is a picture of neither peace nor rest (for Satan loves to make a mockery of every symbol God has chosen to represent heavenly perfections), God’s people have access to the whole of Scripture, and therefore understand that there really is a City of Peace, and it is the dwelling place of our Heavenly Father. It is the location of His throne (see Revelation 11:19), and, even now, all who have a Covenant relationship with Him are viewed as citizens there (see Philippians 3:20).
In today’s verse, Jesus is expressing His zeal for His beloved bride. She has been lied to by the archenemy, almost since the beginning of earth’s history. Our risen Savior serves as High Priest, the Mediator of the new covenant* — the covenant whereby He writes His law upon the hearts of His people. He is the “groom” who imparts His righteousness to His “bride”, and she accepts it willingly. Therefore, His righteousness becomes her righteousness. His salvation is graciously provided, and when she accepts it, it becomes her salvation.
The phrase as a lamp that burns is a reference to the seven-branch lampstand, located in the Holy Place of God’s temple. It is fueled by pure olive oil, a symbol for the Holy Spirit’s presence. Oh, beloved, let all of us help and encourage each other to shine brightly for our Savior!
* But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant . . . See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven. Hebrews 12:22-25
Broaden your understanding: Genesis 3:4; Exodus 27:20-21; Leviticus 24:2-3; Jeremiah 31:31-33; Matthew 25:3-4; Hebrews 10:16; Revelation 3:12; 21:2, 9-10
Note: The only difference between the old covenant and the new covenant is the location of the writing.