Isaiah 62:11
Behold, the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your salvation comes; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.”
The phrase “daughter of Zion” (bat tzion in Hebrew) is one that appears numerous times throughout the Bible. “Zion” refers to the “City of David”—Jerusalem—and it later came to represent Israel. “Daughter of Zion” serves as metaphor for Israel.
This passage is often used during Lent and Advent. In the season of Lent, we often cite Zechariah 9:9: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold your King comes to you; He is righteous and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.” What I love here is how beautifully these passages from Isaiah and Zechariah stand together as pillars for two of the most powerful seasons of the church, and their message (whether during Lent or Advent) is one of hope!
I cannot help but feel the excitement around the coming of the Messiah! Both passages immediately grab our attention with energetic verbs: Behold, rejoice, shout! We are told that the King’s reward is with him—salvation. This is a gift that is impossible to measure, but it is proclaimed to the ends of the earth.
Every year, we get an entire season to imagine what it was like:
- the people living in great darkness needing God’s light,
- an angelic annunciation,
- a long journey to Bethlehem by Mary and Joseph,
- shepherds watching over their flocks by night,
- a host of angels appearing,
- a star shining bright,
- a baby in a manger bringing hope, joy, peace, and love.
It makes my heart full. This is the advent of Jesus Christ!
Contributed by Isaac Thomas