As a Bridegroom Rejoices Over His Bride... (Isa 62:1-63:14)

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Isa 62:1-12 explains why the future of Zion, of God's redeemed people, is so very bright. God's redemption (of Israel) is through wrath (upon Edom) (Isa 63:1-6). How sweet it is to always recall the mercies of God upon us (Isa 63:7-14).

God will Delight in His Redeemed People of God (Isa 62:1-12) [God Will Not Be Silent For the Sake of Zion]

Everything God does is "for Zion's sake" (Isa 62:1), that is, the redeemed people of God. God will glorify himself through the renewed and increased glory of his people. The world will see God through them, their "new name" (Isa 62:2), their renewed restored relationship with God. God will make them beautiful (Isa 62:3), reverse their situation of being forsaken (Isa 62:4, 60:15, 49:14), and rejoice over them "as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride" (Isa 62:5) as part of God's great plan of salvation. "Watchmen" (Isa 62:6), the prophets, will watch and pray until God "establishes Jerusalem" (Isa 62:7) by his merciful restoration that is not based on the curses of the old covenant (Isa 62:8,9; Lev 26:14-39; Deut 28:15-68; Judg 6:1-6). This blessing of salvation, which is to become a part of Zion and be called "the Holy People" and "the Redeemed of the Lord" (Isa 62:12) is extended to everyone (Isa 62:11). Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem in Matt 5:12, which quotes Zec 9:9, may also have alluded to Isa 62:11.

God, who is Mighty to Save, is also the God of Vengeance, Wrath and Anger (Isa 63:1-6)

Edom (Isa 63:1), the unbelieving nation S-E of Jerusalem, typifies the world in its contempt for the promises of God (Gen 25:29-34,27:41; Isa 34:1-7; Lam 4:21,22; Eze 35:1-15; Joel 3:19; Mal 1:2-4). She will face God's vengeance, anger and wrath, while Israel will be redeemed (Isa 63:1-6). God's redemption always involves wrath.

Recalling God's History of Mercies (Isa 63:7-14)

God is so good to his people and even suffered with them (Isa 63:7-9). "Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit" (Isa 63:10, 1:2, 66:24; Ps 78:1-72; Acts 7:51). {In Eph 4:30 Paul warns against grieving the Holy Spirit.} Yet God was faithful to restore them (Isa 63:11-14).

Practical Application: God's joy over us is our strength for our life.

I Can Only Imagine: Can we ever fathom the delight of a bridegroom over his bride on their honeymoon? Can we imagine that God delights in his people in such a way? (Isa 62:5)