Isaiah 62:12
And they shall be called The Holy People, The Redeemed of the LORD; and you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse emphasizes a profound shift: once seen as "forsaken," Zion will be "Sought Out" and, by extension, a place people actively seek. This highlights that God's people aren't just objects of His rescue, but become so vibrant and valuable that they draw others in.
Isaiah's prophecy is building towards a future restoration where Zion (representing God's people) is no longer desolate but a vibrant center of worship and life. After describing the preparation of a highway for the returning exiles and God's unwavering commitment, this verse reveals the new identities and honor that will be bestowed upon God's people. It reverses the shame and neglect of their past, proclaiming their cherished status as holy, redeemed, sought-after, and never abandoned.
Ever feel like you have to earn God's favor? This verse flips that idea on its head.
Isaiah 62:12 declares God's people will be called "The Redeemed of the LORD." This isn't about what we do, but about what Christ has done. Redemption here points to being bought back, rescued from sin and its consequences. It’s a powerful reminder that our standing with God isn't based on our performance, but on Jesus' finished work on the cross. He paid the price, securing our freedom and belonging.
Imagine being so forgotten that no one even looks for you. This verse promises the exact opposite for God's people.
The verse contrasts two names: "A City Not Forsaken" and "Sought Out." Historically, God's people (Zion/Jerusalem) had been abandoned and neglected. But the prophecy declares a radical reversal. God Himself will actively seek them out, care for them, and value them. This isn't just about God finding us; it's about Him making us a city that others will seek out. It signifies restoration, divine attention, and a renewed attractiveness that draws others in, all because God first cherished and pursued them.
What does it really mean to be 'holy'? It's more than just a title; it's an identity God assigns.
"The Holy People" is a profound declaration. Holiness, in the biblical sense, means being set apart for God's purposes. It's not about achieving a perfect moral record on our own, but about belonging to God, who is Himself holy. Through Christ's sacrifice and the Spirit's work, God declares His people holy. This identity is foundational, shaping how they are to live and how they are to be viewed – as distinct, consecrated, and belonging entirely to the Lord.
Understand the original words
qodesh · Hebrew Adjective
To be set apart for God’s exclusive use and purpose, signifying moral purity, consecrated status, and the reflection of God’s own character in His people.
ga’ul · Hebrew Adjective/Participle
Refers to those who have been liberated or bought back from slavery, bondage, or exile by the payment of a price, representing God’s intervention to reclaim His own from the consequences of sin.
This prophecy from Isaiah offers a vision of ultimate restoration and divine affirmation for Jerusalem and its people, contrasting sharply with periods of exile, destruction, and foreign domination, particularly highlighting the rebuilding of the walls under Nehemiah as a step towards this promised future.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Empire's Dominance
The powerful Assyrian Empire dominated the ancient Near East, often subjugating the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. This era saw significant political upheaval and threats of exile.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Under Nebuchadnezzar II, Babylon conquered Judah, leading to the first wave of exiles, including members of the royal family and the educated elite, to Babylon.
587/586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple, a catastrophic event that left the Judean people scattered and without their central place of worship and national identity.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great's Conquest
Cyrus the Persian conquered Babylon. His famous Edict of Cyrus allowed the exiled Judeans to return to their homeland and rebuild their Temple.
This passage directly contrasts the future description of Zion as 'Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken' with its former state where 'no man seeketh after' it, highlighting the dramatic restoration prophesied in Isaiah.
Hosea 2:16-17This passage beautifully illustrates the reversal of names and fortunes, similar to Isaiah 62:12, where God promises to remove the names of Baalim (shameful lords) and call His people 'My Husband' and 'Not My Beloved' to 'Loved,' mirroring the idea of a forsaken city being cherished.
1 Peter 2:9-10This New Testament passage echoes the identity ascribed in Isaiah 62:12, calling believers 'a holy nation, a royal priesthood' who were once 'not a people' but are now 'the people of God,' directly connecting the 'holy people' and 'not forsaken' themes to the redeemed.
Ephesians 1:7-8This passage emphasizes the concept of redemption through Christ's blood, aligning with Isaiah's description of 'The Redeemed of the LORD.' It speaks to the profound spiritual work that underpins this new identity.
Isaiah 43:20-21This earlier prophecy from Isaiah speaks of God preparing a way for His people in the wilderness and providing water, ultimately leading to them praising Him. This foreshadows the 'Sought Out' aspect, as God actively provides and restores a people who will declare His praise.
gillIsaiah 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."
And they shall call them the holy people,.... For whom the way is prepared, to whom the standard is lifted up, and the proclamation made, and who upon it are gathered in to Christ the Saviour, and to the church: these shall be called, by men that know them, have a spirit of discerning, and are capable of judging, "the holy people"; a people separated an…
pulpitIsaiah 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."
Verse 12. - They shall call them; or, men shall call them, equivalent to "they shall be called." The holy people. The Persians in some degree recognized this character in the Israelites (Ezra 1:2, 3; Ezra 6:8-12: 7:12-26). So did Alexander, according to Josephus. The Romans, on the contrary, regarded them as the votaries of a degrading superstition. Sin…
The verse emphasizes a profound shift: once seen as "forsaken," Zion will be "Sought Out" and, by extension, a place people actively seek. This highlights that God's people aren't just objects of His rescue, but become so vibrant and valuable that they draw others in.
Isaiah's prophecy is building towards a future restoration where Zion (representing God's people) is no longer desolate but a vibrant center of worship and life. After describing the preparation of a highway for the returning exiles and God's unwavering commitment, this verse reveals the new identities and honor that will be bestowed upon God's people. It reverses the shame and neglect of their past, proclaiming their cherished status as holy, redeemed, sought-after, and never abandoned.
Isaiah's prophecy is building towards a future restoration where Zion (representing God's people) is no longer desolate but a vibrant center of worship and life. After describing the preparation of a highway for the returning exiles and God's unwavering commitment, this verse reveals the new identities and honor that will be bestowed upon God's people. It reverses the shame and neglect of their past, proclaiming their cherished status as holy, redeemed, sought-after, and never abandoned.
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c. 516 BC
Completion of the Second Temple
The Temple in Jerusalem was rebuilt, symbolizing a restoration of religious life, though it was a more modest structure than Solomon's original Temple.
c. 445-430 BC— this verse
Nehemiah Rebuilds Jerusalem's Walls
Nehemiah led the effort to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, a crucial act of defense and symbolic restoration that brought a renewed sense of security and order to the city.
Early 1st century AD
Roman Rule in Judea
After centuries of varying foreign rule, Judea came under direct Roman administration, creating a complex political and social environment for the Jewish people.
"And they shall be called The Holy People, The Redeemed of the LORD; and you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken." — The verse emphasizes a profound shift: once seen as "forsaken," Zion will be "Sought Out" and, by extension, a place people actively seek. This highlights that God's people aren't just objects of His…
