Isaiah: God’s Commands, His Coming and His People.

¹⁰ “Go through, go through the gates; prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway; clear it of stones; lift up a signal over the peoples. ¹¹ Behold, the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your salvation comes; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.” ¹² And they shall be called The Holy People, The Redeemed of the Lord; and you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.” (Isaiah 62:10–12)

God’s Word is comprehensive with God’s commandments. His orders are not confined to just ten (Exodus 20) or located in only the Old Testament (Ephesians 4-6). His commands are to be obeyed, especially by His covenant people (Joshua 1:1-9; Romans 1:5).

“Go through, go through the gates; prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway; clear it of stones; lift up a signal over the peoples” (Isaiah 62:10). This verse features a series of urgent commands from God. They focus upon the need for God’s people to be spiritually ready for the LORD’s coming. To lift a signal, or raise a banner, was a way of announcing something in the ancient world. Within this context, these commands announced to all nations that Yahweh was coming.

The LORD continually personifies salvation, or deliverance, of His people from their sin. His people are His exceedingly great reward. God’s people will possess several names and identifying titles.

First, they are called The Holy People. They are positionally, and experientially, to be holy, set apart from sin, as God is holy (Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:1-2; 20:7, 26; 21:8; I Peter 1:15-16).

Second, God’s people are The Redeemed of the LORD. These are they who the LORD has purchased through the kinsmen redeemer, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 2:14-18).

Third, they are the Sought Out. They are the ones who the LORD sought out with care (Matthew 18:11; Luke 19:10).

Finally, God’s people are A City Not Forsaken. God’s people are those who He will never abandon (Hebrews 13:5).

What was true for God’s people in the historical past, is also true in the historical present and will be in the future. The LORD is coming soon and His people are to be ready.

Soli deo Gloria!