A New Name

“I will not keep silent because of Zion, and I will not keep still because of Jerusalem, until her righteousness shines like a bright light and her salvation, like a flaming torch. Nations will see your righteousness and all kings, your glory. You will be called by a new name that the Lord’s mouth will announce. You will be a glorious crown in the Lord’s hand, and a royal diadem in the palm of your God. You will no longer be called Deserted, and your land will not be called Desolate; instead, you will be called My Delight is in Her, and your land Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land will be married. For as a young man marries a young woman, so your sons will marry you; and as a groom rejoices over his bride, so your God will rejoice over you.” (Isaiah‬ ‭62‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭HCSB‬‬)

Last week we talked about how God’s glory is displayed through all of the things He created. We look at the heavens on a cloudless night and marvel at the beauty of the stars and we see God’s glory. We look out across the grassy plains and the sea of wildflowers and we rejoice in the beauty of God’s creation. But we should rejoice even more about the beauty of His salvation for us. God didn’t just create a world filled with incredible beauty and diversity, He created a world full of beautiful and diverse people made in His image that He gave His Son to redeem! This week, we will delve deeply into the passion that God has for us.

At first glance, it may appear as though Isaiah is the one speaking in our opening verses. But if the obedient Servant is truly the one speaking in chapter 61 – as Jesus attests in Luke 4, then it only makes sense that He’s the one speaking here. But I think there’s even more evidence for that when you pay attention to what is said, “I will not keep silent because of Zion, I will not keep still because of Jerusalem, until her righteousness shines like a bright light and her salvation, like a flaming torch.” He speaks salvation and He will not be silent until all of His people are gathered in. He works His righteousness in them and He will not be still until their righteousness is like a bright light.

“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of His nature, sustaining all things by His powerful word [emphasis added]. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” (Hebrews‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭HCSB‬‬)

The idea in that opening verse is continuous speaking and ongoing action in the pursuit of salvation and righteousness in God’s people. Without a doubt, Isaiah is called by God to proclaim these very things (see Isaiah 6:8). He has been sent to proclaim God’s work of redemption among and righteousness in God’s people. While Isaiah is certainly capable of telling us about God’s work of salvation and righteousness, he’s wholly incapable of achieving it. That is only something God can do and He’s doing it through the only One sent to bring salvation and pour out His righteousness on us. In that opening verse, Jesus is the very Word of God being spoken in the fulfillment of our salvation and righteousness. When God speaks, His Word goes forth and achieves His purpose (see Is. 55:11). God has spoken salvation and righteousness over His people and Jesus will see to it that those things are fulfilled in us.

Read that last sentence, again. Jesus will not stop declaring salvation over us and pursuing righteousness in us until God’s purpose has been fulfilled. God’s salvation in us and His righteousness shining through us is the very light Jesus declared we would be. “You ARE the light of the world… (Matt. 5:14).” But let me ask a very direct and blunt question: Is the church shining bright in a dark world? Now, let me make it a bit more personal: Are you a bright, shining light in this dark world?

It feels like we spend more time complaining about the condition of our world than we spend trying to be a light in it. Notice verse 2: “Nations will see your righteousness and all kings, your glory.” You and I can choose today whether we will be critics or lights. There’s only one person in this world that I can change, me. There are a lot of things in the world that I don’t like. In fact, there are some things that I absolutely despise. But the world doesn’t change when I just walk around criticizing and complaining about its condition. However, it might be a bit brighter if I walk around displaying God’s light by loving someone like Jesus does.

I can’t solve world hunger, but I can feed one hungry man, woman or child today. I can’t usher in world peace, but I can sit with someone who is hurting and care about them and for them. I can’t save every child who is facing loneliness and a broken home, but I can be a place of safety and a voice of sanity in their chaos. I can’t do everything, but I can do something. I can’t change the world, but I can change me and how I respond. I can’t dispel worldwide darkness, but I can be a light right where I’m standing.

We can have the greatest news the world has ever heard but they won’t hear it until we sit with them in their tears and walk with them in their pain. Isaiah says that nations will see our righteousness and all kings, our glory. That’s Old Testament language for: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.” (Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭37‬-‭40‬ ‭HCSB‬‬) When God’s people begin to respond in obedience to God’s Word and His will then we will begin to shine like bright lights in a dark world.

You and I are known by our names, but Isaiah says that when we begin to live in obedience and God’s light is on display through our lives then we will be given a new name. He also describes us as a “glorious crown” in God’s hand (v. 3). We’re used to the idea out of Paul’s writing about being given a crown, but in this picture we ARE becoming the crown. The idea of the crown being in His hand is that it is about to be placed on His head. We are given a new name and we are being made into a glorious crown that God will wear. A new name and a glorious purpose.

Note: As I wrote the words above, I was contacted about a need in our church. Are we willing to be available and obedient when God moves in ways we can’t imagine or understand? It is NEVER enough to simply say that this is something we ought to do. We MUST be willing to step out of the realm of possibilities and into the realm of reality; we must let our intent and our words become action. It is as if God was telling me, don’t just write about it – DO IT! So, I’m telling you, don’t just read about it – DO IT!

We will no longer be called “deserted” and the land will no longer be called “desolate.” It is obvious that the immediate reference for these words is the desertion and desolation of Jerusalem at the end of the exile. However, the breadth and depth of God’s promise is SO much bigger than just the restoration of Jerusalem and the return of His people to their land. The new names given have been translated in our text, but the words are Hephzibah (I delight in her) and Beulah (married). God’s delight is not in an earthly city with massive stone walls, gates that can protect her from attack, a magnificent temple built in His honor, and a land that is lush, green and productive. His delight is in a people; a people who love Him, who trust Him, who walk with Him and in obedience to His Word. That’s why He uses these words as our new name, words that speak of an intimate, loving relationship.

Perhaps you need to let that thought settle in on you, a bit. God delights in us, His people. He intends to make us into a beautiful crown that He will wear for all to see. A people whose righteousness shines like a bright light. A people no longer deserted, but a people whom He loves and desires deeply – Hephzibah, she is My delight! If you aren’t getting this, WE are His bride! I won’t desert them, I will draw them close to Me and delight in them and call this place “married.” He is making a marriage covenant with us and He expects us to keep our part of that covenant just as He promises to keep His part of it.

There’s an old gospel song called Sweet Beulah Land written by Squire Parsons. I love that song, but the words in that song make it sound like it is all a promise still waiting to be realized. While the completion of God’s promise is certainly still waiting to be fully realized, we must begin now to live in the reality of God’s power and presence. As Paul says, “we eagerly wait for it [the redemption of our bodies] with patience” but God is at work in all things now to “conform us to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers (see Rom. 8:18-30).” A new name implies a new direction, a new purpose and a new destiny. The road we were on led us to desertion and desolation, but the new road we walk, the highway of holiness, leads us to be God’s crowning glory. It leads us to becoming His bride in whom He delights. 

But there’s one last part of this that I really need you to see. The marriage analogy includes not only God’s rejoicing over His bride but our marriage commitment to her (see v. 5). Just how committed are you to the people of God? How closely connected are you to His church? Are you just attending or are you committed enough to “marry” her? Is it a temporary relationship or are you sold out to the relationship? God’s marriage covenant is not just about what God will do for His people when everything is finished. It’s about what He wants to do in them right now as He makes them into that crown of glory. His intent is that you must be a vital part of that process.

Churches used to have “covenants” that members read, agreed to and signed as a pledge of commitment to each other. While we may have abandoned that practice, it is still a vital and important part of the relationship. We must be willing to make a binding pledge to each other and to stick together in a world that is often hostile towards God and His Word. God keeps His promise to us, we must strive to keep our promise to Him and to each other. 

Today, we tend to “shop” for a church. We look around for the best bargain for our money, so to speak. That tends to promote a consumer mentality and approach to what is intended to be family. Being family is not easy and is never a bargain. When we’re family, we bind ourselves to one another even when things don’t go exactly as planned, even when it costs us more than we want to pay. But that doesn’t mean we take advantage of the family relationship, it just means we’re willing to work through any issues that might come up. Yes, many families are dysfunctional and that is often reflected in our churches. But that is just indicative of the brokenness God is redeeming in us. Families of faith are called to live redeemed lives and to acknowledge, repent and confess our sin.

We’re given a new name because our old name doesn’t reflect our new life. We’re no longer abandoned and no longer live in a desolate place, we live in a place and with a family who have a commitment from God and are committed to Him. If you don’t have a family of faith to gather around you, we’d love for you to come join us. 

Now, go… be a light in someone’s life.