In the days of old, the city of Jerusalem languished under the oppressive weight of judgment and sorrow. The Lord, the Almighty One, would not be silent for Zion’s sake, for the city had lost its luster, its righteousness and glory exceptionally diminished, resembling a flickering light waiting to burn out. He, therefore, vowed not to rest until her virtue beamed as the morning sunshine, and her salvation glowed like a lamp that burned ceaselessly.
His promise poured forth to all nations, so that they would recognize the reborn glory of Zion; her righteousness envisioned to be as brilliant as the sun and her divine mission clear as the brightest star in the night sky. Once shamed and oppressed, she would soon rise to majesty, and she would go by a new name—one spoken into existence by the mouth of Jehovah Himself.
Zion would be a jewel in His mighty hand, a crown of dazzling beauty glistening on His mighty palm. Renaming her “Hephzi-bah,” meaning “My Delight is in Her,” and her land “Beulah,” which translates to “Married,” Jehovah would restore her honor and erase all past humiliations.
Like a groom who rejoices over his bride, Jehovah too would rejoice over Zion. And in this divine union, similar to how a young man takes a virgin for his bride, Jehovah would betroth the city and her people to Himself. The once desolate city would be a sought-after bride, beloved by the Lord.
To guard and protect this holy union, to keep the precious jewel of Zion from harm, Jehovah decreed; “Watchmen will I set on thy walls, O Jerusalem.” He instructed these watchmen to be vigilant day and night, to offer no respite to Him until Jerusalem was made a praise in the Earth.
By the strength of His right hand, Jehovah vowed that He would no longer allow the fruit of Zion’s labors, her plentiful grain, to be taken by her enemies. He also proclaimed that no foreigner would taste the city’s new wine. Those who gathered the grain and wine, Jehovah ensured, would enjoy its bounties and praise Him within the sacred confines of the sanctuary.
The people were urged to prepare the way; to march forward through the gates, to clear a path, remove the obstacles, and raise a standard for others to see. Jehovah’s proclamation echoed to the ends of the earth, calling out to the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your salvation comes; behold, His reward is with Him, and His recompense before Him.”
The once desolate city was destined to be known as “The Holy People,” those redeemed back into the loving arms of Jehovah. Zion, whom once no one sought after, would become a city never forsaken, sought by many for its righteousness. With this, the Lord’s promise to Jerusalem unfolded, a narrative of redemption and restoration; a display of God’s unyielding love and commitment to His people.
