January 23: RESPONSIBILITY OF OWNERSHIP

The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, And all the kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name . . . [and] be a . . . royal diadem in the hand of your God. . . you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; For the LORD delights in you, and your land shall be married. Isaiah 62:2a, 3b, 4b

Righteousness, like beams of light streaming forth and going out in all directions, is the LORD’s vision for His people. Those who have yet to know Him will see the reflection of His character and be drawn to Him. It is the LORD’s glory that radiates through His faithful ones that will attract Gentiles from every walk of life, including the top echelons of leadership in the world, even kings.

The Gentiles had looked upon God’s disobedient nation as Forsaken and her land as Desolate (4a), for they (the children of Israel) had placed themselves under the covenant curses (see Deuteronomy 28).

Ever since man fell into sin, God’s vision has consistently been one of restoration (see Genesis 3). He is the One who will bestow new names, befitting of the reality of His people who choose to respond to His promises, many of which are of a conditional nature (look for the keyword “if”). The name Hephzibah literally means “My delight is in her”, and the name Beulah literally means “possessed” in the sense of belonging. In the intimacy of marriage — with which the LORD often compares His relationship to His people — there is a sense of ownership, or taking possession, between the two covenant partners of each other (see Song of Solomon 6:3; 7:10; 1 Corinthians 7:3-4). Such language expresses the wonder and joy of truly belonging, in vivid contrast to the sense of detachment and loss that accompanies holding on to sin, not only in the loss of a relationship with the LORD, but loss of an eternal place to live.  

For as a young man marries a virgin, So shall your sons marry you [Jerusalem]; And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, So shall your God rejoice over you. Isaiah 62:5

Before He can rejoice over you (or me), He must be satisfied that He could take away all of our temporal possessions and so-called wealth without us failing to cite Him as the Source of all blessings, tangible and intangible. If His power, grace, and majesty are not being exhibited in us, know that He holds us responsible, for God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8).

The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself. Proverbs 11:25

Keep growing: Psalm 87:5-6; Jeremiah 31:12; Zephaniah 3:12-17; Zechariah 9:16; Revelation 2:17; 21:5, 11