The Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 62:10-12

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

God's summons to the enslaved.

Taking the language of the tenth verse as an energetic address to the captive people of God to "go through" the gates of Babylon, and make their way with all diligence to Zion, the home of freedom and sacred joy, we have—

I. A DIVINE SUMMONS TO THE ENSLAVED. To the individual soul, that has been brought into some spiritual bondage, perhaps under the tyranny of some enslaving habit; to the Christian Church, which has allowed itself to become subject to some outside power other than that of its Divine Lord; to the betrayed and subjected nation, which has enjoyed and is capable of an independent government,—comes the summons from above; "Call forth all thy powers, leave no means untried, prepare the way, make a supreme and sacrificial effort to break the bonds, to walk in the way, to reach the goal of a true and lasting liberty."

II. THE REWARD OF OBEDIENCE. "His reward is with him," etc. The first recompense is found in:

1. A blessed sense of deliverance from bondage. The man, or the Church, rejoices greatly that he is one of the "redeemed of the Lord." The fact that God has struck off his shackles and made him breathe the sweet air of freedom, the consciousness that iniquity "has no dominion over him," is the greatest and happiest of all facts to him. Life holds no heritage which is equal to the "salvation" which has come to his heart, to his life.

2. A restored reputation. He did belong to the unholy, the guilty, perhaps to the vicious or to the violent; now he is one of "the holy people" whom all men honour. This conducts to:

3. Communion and friendship with the best and worthiest; with the Highest himself, and with the wise and good among men; he is among those who are "sought out," "not forsaken." Other rewards accompany obedience, not here stated or hinted. We may suggest:

4. Capacity for usefulness to others, occupying a position in which he (or it, the Church) may lead other enslaved ones into spiritual freedom (Psalms 51:12, Psalms 51:13; John 21:15; Acts 26:18; James 5:19, James 5:20).

5. A good hope of an inheritance where perfect freedom dwells.—C.

HOMILIES BY R. TUCK

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