God’s unbreakable bond with His people is ultimately seen in how He calls them holy and redeems them to stand as a testament of His glory to the world.
Isaiah, who prophesied in Judah between approximately 740-686 BC, delivers a divine promise of restoration and honor to God’s people in this passage. The prophet assures them that despite periods of exile and despair, the Lord will renew them so that others will recognize the special relationship they share with Him. Drawing attention to the holy status of the people and the renewed reputation of their city, Isaiah highlights God’s plan to transform their former shame into a testimony of His faithfulness. He proclaims, “And they will call them, ‘The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD’; And you will be called, ‘Sought out, a city not forsaken.’” (v.12) Although the verse itself does not name the city, its context makes it clear that Jerusalem (located in the hill country of Judah, just west of the Dead Sea) is in view, representing the center of worship and God’s divine presence among His chosen people.
This promise of being called “holy people” and “redeemed of the LORD” underscores how God’s grace not only claims them but also sets them apart for His service. Isaiah uses this language to reveal how the Lord’s redemption redefines Israel’s identity. Being “redeemed” means God personally intervened to buy them back from bondage, as He did throughout Israel’s history—such as leading them from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 20:2) and restoring them after exile. The affirmation “Sought out” reflects God’s pursuit and unwavering commitment to restore His own. This portrayal of redemption foreshadows the spiritual deliverance offered through Jesus the Messiah, who redeems all believers from the bondage of sin (Ephesians 1:7).
Adding “a city not forsaken” assures God’s people that His protection and care remain steadfast: once desolate and seemingly abandoned, their city is now recognized as upheld by God’s covenant faithfulness. Isaiah’s message goes beyond the physical place of Jerusalem, extending to the spiritual reality that God’s chosen ones will not remain in spiritual devastation. In the New Testament, believers are likewise referred to as “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9), showing the continuity of God’s plan to set His people apart for a holy purpose.
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Isaiah 62:12 meaning
Isaiah, who prophesied in Judah between approximately 740-686 BC, delivers a divine promise of restoration and honor to God’s people in this passage. The prophet assures them that despite periods of exile and despair, the Lord will renew them so that others will recognize the special relationship they share with Him. Drawing attention to the holy status of the people and the renewed reputation of their city, Isaiah highlights God’s plan to transform their former shame into a testimony of His faithfulness. He proclaims, “And they will call them, ‘The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD’; And you will be called, ‘Sought out, a city not forsaken.’” (v.12) Although the verse itself does not name the city, its context makes it clear that Jerusalem (located in the hill country of Judah, just west of the Dead Sea) is in view, representing the center of worship and God’s divine presence among His chosen people.
This promise of being called “holy people” and “redeemed of the LORD” underscores how God’s grace not only claims them but also sets them apart for His service. Isaiah uses this language to reveal how the Lord’s redemption redefines Israel’s identity. Being “redeemed” means God personally intervened to buy them back from bondage, as He did throughout Israel’s history—such as leading them from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 20:2) and restoring them after exile. The affirmation “Sought out” reflects God’s pursuit and unwavering commitment to restore His own. This portrayal of redemption foreshadows the spiritual deliverance offered through Jesus the Messiah, who redeems all believers from the bondage of sin (Ephesians 1:7).
Adding “a city not forsaken” assures God’s people that His protection and care remain steadfast: once desolate and seemingly abandoned, their city is now recognized as upheld by God’s covenant faithfulness. Isaiah’s message goes beyond the physical place of Jerusalem, extending to the spiritual reality that God’s chosen ones will not remain in spiritual devastation. In the New Testament, believers are likewise referred to as “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9), showing the continuity of God’s plan to set His people apart for a holy purpose.