“I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem, they shall never hold their peace day or night: you that make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest, till He establish, and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” (vv.6-7)
Here in chapter 62 we find God speaking to His people through the prophet Isaiah words of encouragement concerning their restoration; 1) He will not rest until the task is complete (v.1), and 2) He will set watchmen over them who will keep perpetual watch day and night, who will not hold their peace, or keep silence, but ever intercede with God for them until Jerusalem is restored for which all the world will praise Him. (vv.6-7)
Who are these “watchmen,” these “guardians of the walls” who will act as intercessors, who will not keep silent day or night?” Are they the priests and Levites who kept watch in the temple in prayer? Are they the prophets, or maybe "angelic beings" like the "angel of Jehovah" in Zechariah 1:12, or simply the people themselves who would constantly pray for their own restoration?
I tend to believe it’s all of them, and us as well. As God’s people (Jew or Gentile), we intercede to God for others requesting His mercy, His peace, His comfort, His guidance. We make mention day and night for the longings of our hearts, for healings, restorations, salvation, etc. And while it may take some time to see those prayers come to completion, we, like the prophets and priests of old, are the “watchmen” the “guardians” of His church until the New Jerusalem is established.
The Truth: “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.’ (Hebrews 13:17)
Here in chapter 62 we find God speaking to His people through the prophet Isaiah words of encouragement concerning their restoration; 1) He will not rest until the task is complete (v.1), and 2) He will set watchmen over them who will keep perpetual watch day and night, who will not hold their peace, or keep silence, but ever intercede with God for them until Jerusalem is restored for which all the world will praise Him. (vv.6-7)
Who are these “watchmen,” these “guardians of the walls” who will act as intercessors, who will not keep silent day or night?” Are they the priests and Levites who kept watch in the temple in prayer? Are they the prophets, or maybe "angelic beings" like the "angel of Jehovah" in Zechariah 1:12, or simply the people themselves who would constantly pray for their own restoration?
I tend to believe it’s all of them, and us as well. As God’s people (Jew or Gentile), we intercede to God for others requesting His mercy, His peace, His comfort, His guidance. We make mention day and night for the longings of our hearts, for healings, restorations, salvation, etc. And while it may take some time to see those prayers come to completion, we, like the prophets and priests of old, are the “watchmen” the “guardians” of His church until the New Jerusalem is established.
The Truth: “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.’ (Hebrews 13:17)
