Isaiah 62:7

Isaiah 62:7 is a powerful call to persistent prayer and intercession, specifically concerning the future glory and establishment of Jerusalem. It continues the theme of God's unwavering commitment to His chosen city and people, as expressed throughout the preceding verses in Isaiah chapter 62.

Context

This verse is part of a prophetic passage (Isaiah 62:1-12) that speaks of God's intense desire and determination for Zion's restoration and exaltation. The Lord declares He "will not hold His peace" (Isaiah 62:1) until Jerusalem's righteousness and salvation shine forth. Immediately preceding verse 7, God states in Isaiah 62:6 that He has "set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night." Verse 7 then becomes a direct instruction to these watchmen, and by extension, to all who pray for God's purposes: to give God "no rest" in their supplications.

Key Themes

• Persistent Intercession: The core message is the necessity of unceasing prayer. The phrase "give him no rest" (Hebrew: damam, meaning to be silent, to rest, to be still) is a vivid metaphor for fervent, relentless petition until God's promises are fully realized. It's not about forcing God's hand, but aligning human will and prayer with God's already declared divine purpose. This echoes the teaching on persistent prayer found in the New Testament, such as the parable of the persistent widow.
• God's Unwavering Purpose for Jerusalem: The verse highlights God's steadfast commitment to establish Jerusalem and make it "a praise in the earth." This refers to its ultimate spiritual and physical restoration, when it will be a center of worship and a beacon of God's glory to all nations. This divine intention is a recurring theme in prophetic literature, looking forward to a time when Jerusalem truly shines with God's light and honor.
• Divine-Human Partnership: While God has declared His will, He invites and requires human participation through prayer. The "watchmen" are agents in bringing about God's eschatological plan, demonstrating that prayer is a vital component in the outworking of God's kingdom on earth.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "rest" in "give him no rest" is damam (דָּמַם), which means to be silent, to be still, to cease, or to rest. In this context, it implies a continuous, unceasing petition. The goal is to make Jerusalem "a praise" (Hebrew: tehillah, תְּהִלָּה) in the earth, signifying universal renown, glory, and worship directed towards God through His established city.

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 62:7 serves as a powerful encouragement for fervent and persistent prayer for God's kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. It reminds us:

• The Power of Persistent Prayer: Our prayers are not insignificant. God invites us to participate in His plans through intercession. We are to pray without ceasing for spiritual awakening, justice, and the spread of His truth in our communities and globally.
• God's Ultimate Victory: This verse instills hope, reminding us that God's purposes for His people and His creation will ultimately prevail. Just as Jerusalem is destined to be "a praise in the earth," so too will God's glory be fully revealed throughout the world.
• Our Role as Intercessors: We are called to be spiritual "watchmen," continually lifting up prayers for our communities, nations, and the global church, until God's kingdom is fully established and His name is glorified everywhere.