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Isaiah
62:6-7
[6] I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem;
they will never be silent day or night.
You who call on the Lord,
give yourselves no rest,
[7] and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem
and makes her the praise of the earth. (NIV)
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In the ancient world watchmen were stationed on city walls
(often in towers) to watch for any approaching enemy. While on guard
they were never to sleep. Righteous Israelites, like watchmen, were to
be alert on Jerusalem’s behalf.
The “watchmen” were to hold God to His promises, knowing that is
what He desires. God’s people should pray for things even when they
know God has promised them. Jesus made this clear when He taught His
disciples to pray that the kingdom will come (Matt. 6:10). When
Jerusalem is restored, it will never again fall to its enemies (Isa.
62:8-9). God has assured it by oath (sworn by His right hand) and
by His power.
--Bible
Knowledge Commentary
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We
should have Isaiah’s zeal to see God’s will done. This is what we
mean when we pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as
it is in heaven.” It is good to keep praying persistently for others.
--Life
Application Notes
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God’s professing people must be a praying
people. It is a sign that God is coming to a people in mercy, when he
pours out a spirit of prayer upon them.
See
also God’s mercy in giving plenty, and peace to enjoy it. Let us
delight in attending the courts of the Lord, that we may enjoy the
consolations of his Spirit.
--Matthew
Henry
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God gave His people leaders to guide them, but they
were not faithful (56:10). Now He gives them faithful watchmen, who
constantly remind God of His promises. “Give Him no rest till He
establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth” (62:7,
NIV). What an encouragement to us to “pray for the peace of
Jerusalem” (Ps. 122:6).
--Warren
Wiersbe in “Be Comforted”
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Out of concern for his people, the Lord has appointed
watchmen (62:6–12). The watchmen are not needed for the
protection of the city, for Yahweh makes his people secure. The watchmen
pray day and night for the full restoration of the people of God. The
Lord responds to the prayer by an oath of assurance that he will never
again do what he has done to his people. Redemption is certain to come
and the prophet calls the people to prepare themselves for the
Savior’s coming.
--Evangelical
Commentary
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God’s perservering grace guarantees that this
beauty will be conferred on Israel at Christ’s second advent. Faithful
and diligent prophets who call to mind God’s words (remembrancers,
ASV) will persist in preaching and prayer until Messiah’s earthly
kingdom is established. From that time on, no invasions will lay waste
the crops of Palestine (a prediction which can only be fulfilled by an
earthly Millennium).
--Wycliffe
Bible Commentary
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Now I saw in my dream, that by this time the pilgrims
were got over the Enchanted Ground, and entering into the country of
Beulah, whose air was very sweet and pleasant, Isaiah 62:4-12; Song
2:10-12; the way lying directly through it, they solaced themselves
there for a season. Yea, here they heard continually the singing of
birds, and saw every day the flowers appear in the earth, and heard the
voice of the turtle in the land. In this country the sun shineth night
and day: wherefore this was beyond the Valley of the Shadow of Death,
and also out of the reach of Giant Despair; neither could they from this
place so much as see Doubting Castle. Here they were within sight of the
city they were going to.
--Pilgrim’s
Progress
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