Sunday Scripture

 

Here's another in my most recent Sunday Scripture series.  I've been posting about my simple study of a little devotional journal titled Reflections: The Woman God Sees., by Jane L. Fryar -- a journal gifted me by some dear young friends   It has a daily devotional one works through -- about a month's worth or so.  It was a blessing to me when I worked through it, so I've been sharing here.  Several readers have told me they're enjoying it, and so we continue.

Today's post is a little bit different in that I don't quite agree with how the author is applying it.   It seems to me that she has lifted the verse out of its context.  (This is why it is so important to rightly divide God's Word.  Don't ever assume that everything you come across in a devotional book is accurate.  Make sure it lines up biblically.)  

The Scripture for today is Isaiah 62:4.  Here's the assignment: "What does your name mean?  Did you know you have another name, too?  One given by your Heavenly Father?  'My Delight Is In Her?'  What will you say to your Lord about that?"  I chose to SOAP Isaiah 62:2-5 as I considered this, in order to get more of  the context.

S= "And the nations shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory; and thou shalt be called by a new name,  which the mouth of the LORD shall name.

" Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD; and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.

"Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken, neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate, but thou shalt be called Hepzibah, and thy land Beulah; for the LORD delighteth in thee.

"... and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.". (Isaiah 62:2-5)

O=  Isaiah chapter 62 is titled by C.I. Scofield, " Divine unrest until Israel restored. "

These verses are clearly written to Israel.  If we look back at verse 1, God says that He will not rest until Israel is restored.

Warren Wiersbe writes, "As an unfaithful wife, Israel was 'forsaken' by the Lord, but not 'divorced'.  Her trials will all be forgotten when she receives her new name ... 'My delight is in her'."

For the phrase "name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name", (verse 2)  a cross reference is Isaiah 62:12  -- " And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and Thou shalt be called, Sought out, a city not forsaken. "

For the phrase "crown of glory" (verse 3) a cross reference is Zechariah 9:16 -- "And the LORD,  their God, shall save them in that day as the flock of His people, for they shall be like the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon His land."

For the phrase "Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken" in verse 4, two cross-references are given:

"Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass that, in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God."  (Hosea 1:10)

"Who in time past were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but have now obtained mercy."  (1 Peter 2:10)

The name "Hepzibah" in verse 4 means "My delight is in her."

A= In response to the assignment: "What does your name mean?  Did you know you have another name, too?  One given by your Heavenly Father?  'My Delight Is In Her?'  What will you say to your Lord about that?" here is what I wrote: 

My name actually means "princess".  Although I knew that, growing up, I never really liked my name.  Since becoming a Christian, though, and recognizing that I truly am a princess -- the daughter of the King of Kings-- my name has become much more meaningful to me.

The verses here are clearly speaking of Israel -- this name "My Delight is in Her" does not really belong to individual believers -- but yet, as Warren Wiersbe notes, "God delights in His people and enjoys giving them His best."

To me the most important thing about my name is that it is written in the Book of Life.

"... but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven."  (Luke 10:20)

There's also a little section called "Seeing Through Jesus' Eyes" in which the author notes, "New names can bring about new attitudes and spark new ventures.  What is your new name creating in your life?  What possibilities might Jesus see?"

I answered: "He has brought about many new attitudes and new ventures in my life over the years I've been a believer.  It continues to be exciting to see new ways in which He is using me in the lives of others as I seek to bring glory to Him with all that He has given me."

P= "Lord, how thankful I am to be one of Your blood-bought, redeemed children!  I thank and praise You that my name is written in heaven!  The work You have done in my life over time is truly amazing, and I can never thank and praise You enough for how You have not only "written my name down in glory", but have transformed my life!  I pray in Jesus' matchless name, Amen."

And there is the Sunday Scripture for this week!  Although it's been a little different than usual, I trust it's been a blessing to someone.