Attributed commentary excerpt
John Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 62:4
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
Thou shall no more be termed Forsaken, &c.] That is, of the Lord her God, as she had seemed to be to others, and thought to be so by herself, (<234914>Isaiah 49:14), not having so much of his gracious presence as is desirable; sensible communion with him being withheld; the word and ordinances not owned and blessed, or very little; and few souls converted; and the interest of Christ, labouring under many difficulties and discouragements, under the reproaches and persecutions of men, and so looked as if forsaken of God; but in the latter day all these complaints shall be removed; and the presence of God will be very manifest in his churches, and among his people; and they will appear to be his care and charge; (see <236015> Isaiah 60:15): neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate; as the Gentile world was before the preaching of the Gospel in it; and as the land of Israel now is, and the Jewish people are, having rejected the Messiah, and continuing in impenitence and unbelief; and as the church of Christ is, when the word and ordinances are neglected, or little success attends them; but now more shall be the children of the desolate than of the married wife; many souls shall be born again in Zion, and many sons and daughters brought there, and brought up there, and therefore shall not be called desolate, (<234919>Isaiah 49:19-21 54:1): but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah; the former of these was the name of Hezekiah’s mother, (<122101>2 Kings 21:1) and a fit name for the church of Christ, who is pleasant to him for delights, (<220706>Song of Solomon 7:6) and the latter well agrees with her being married to Christ. The meaning of these names is explained in the next clause; or the reason of their being given: for the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy land is married; the former explains “Hephzibah”, which signifies “my delight is in her”; Christ delighted in his church from everlasting, as they were the objects of his own and his Father’s love; as chosen in him, and given to him as his spouse and bride, (<200831>Proverbs 8:31) and he delights in them in time, as clothed with his righteousness, washed in his blood, and adorned with the graces of his Spirit; he delights in their company, to hear their voice, and see their countenance; they are the excellent in the earth, in whom is all his delight, (<191602>Psalm 16:2), and he will delight in them hereafter, in the spiritual reign, when he will glorify and beautify them, and make them an eternal excellency, (<236007>Isaiah 60:7,13,15), and in the personal reign, when they shall be as a bride adorned for her husband, and his tabernacle shall be among them, and he will reign with them, and they with him; during which time he will be presenting them to himself, and delighting in them, as a glorious church, without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, (<662102>Revelation 21:2,3 <490527>Ephesians 5:27) and in heaven to all eternity. The latter clause explains “Beulah”, which signifies “married”, as the church secretly was to Christ from all eternity; in the latter day the espousals of her to him will be more open and manifest; then the marriage of the Lamb will be come, and it will more clearly appear that she is in such a state, by the numerous converts in her, or sons and daughters that will be born in her to Christ, both of Jews and Gentiles, (<661907>Revelation 19:7,8 <236608>Isaiah 66:8).
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