Isaiah 62:6,7

In ancient times, official *look-outs stood on city walls. Their duty was vital. It was to warn the inhabitants when any danger approached. Or to signal urgent messages to another city. In this verse, ‘*look-outs’ is picture language for people who send urgent messages to God by prayer. They want him to carry out his promises for *Jerusalem’s wonderful future (see verse 1, above; see also Isaiah 60:3).

• God’s intention is that people will know his power. It is only God’s work that makes it possible for people to rebuild *Jerusalem. But many inhabitants of *Jerusalem had a more selfish attitude. They wanted other nations to see what a splendid city they themselves had built.

God’s promise about *Jerusalem

v8 The *Lord has made a serious promise to you. And by his power he will carry it out. He will never again give your crops to your enemies to eat. And foreigners will not drink the wine for which you have worked so hard. v9 Those who harvest the grain will eat it. And they will praise the *Lord for it. And those who gather the *grapes will themselves drink the wine in my *Temple.