‘Jehovah Has Taken Delight in You’

9. Describe the transformation of Zion.

⁹ The giving of a new name is part of the delightful transformation of heavenly Zion as represented by her earthly children. We read: “No more will you be said to be a woman left entirely; and your own land will no more be said to be desolate; but you yourself will be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Owned as a Wife. For Jehovah will have taken delight in you, and your own land will be owned as a wife.” (Isaiah 62:4) Earthly Zion has been desolate since her destruction in 607 B.C.E. Jehovah’s words, however, assure her of the restoration and repopulation of her land. Once-ravaged Zion will no longer be a woman left entirely, and her land will no longer be desolate. The restoration of Jerusalem in 537 B.C.E. means a new condition for her, in complete contrast with her formerly ruined state. Jehovah declares that Zion will be called “My Delight Is in Her,” and her land, “Owned as a Wife.”​—Isaiah 54:1, 5, 6; 66:8; Jeremiah 23:5-8; 30:17; Galatians 4:27-31.

11. How do the Jews take ownership of their mother as a wife?

¹¹ Stressing further the new, favored position of his people, Jehovah declares: “Just as a young man takes ownership of a virgin as his wife, your sons will take ownership of you as a wife. And with the exultation of a bridegroom over a bride, your God will exult even over you.” (Isaiah 62:5) How can the Jews, the “sons” of Zion, take ownership of their mother as a wife? In that Zion’s returning sons released from Babylonian exile take possession of their old capital city and settle in her once again. When that happens, Zion is no longer desolate but filled with sons.​—Jeremiah 3:14.

“Let There Be No Silence on Your Part”

13, 14. (a) In ancient times, how does Jerusalem become a city providing safety? (b) In modern times, how has Zion become “a praise in the earth”?

¹³ The figurative new name given by Jehovah makes his people feel secure. They know that he acknowledges them and that they are owned by him. Now using a different illustration, Jehovah speaks to his people as to a walled city: “Upon your walls, O Jerusalem, I have commissioned watchmen. All day long and all night long, constantly, let them not keep still. You who are making mention of Jehovah, let there be no silence on your part, and do not give him any silence until he fixes solidly, yes, until he sets Jerusalem as a praise in the earth.” (Isaiah 62:6, 7) In Jehovah’s due time after the return of the faithful remnant from Babylon, Jerusalem does become “a praise in the earth”​—a walled city providing safety to her inhabitants. Day and night, watchmen on those walls are alert to ensure the security of the city and to relay warning messages to her citizens.​—Nehemiah 6:15; 7:3; Isaiah 52:8.

Service to God Will Be Rewarded

17, 18. (a) In what way can inhabitants of Zion expect to enjoy the fruits of their labor? (b) How do Jehovah’s people today enjoy the fruits of their labor?

¹⁷ The new name Jehovah gives his people reassures them that their efforts are not in vain. “Jehovah has sworn with his right hand and with his strong arm: ‘I will no more give your grain as food to your enemies, nor will foreigners drink your new wine, for which you have toiled. But the very ones gathering it will eat it, and they will be certain to praise Jehovah; and the very ones collecting it will drink it in my holy courtyards.’” (Isaiah 62:8, 9) Jehovah’s right hand and strong arm are symbols of his power and strength. (Deuteronomy 32:40; Ezekiel 20:5) His swearing by these shows that he is determined to change Zion’s state of affairs. In 607 B.C.E., Jehovah permits Zion’s enemies to rob her and plunder her belongings. (Deuteronomy 28:33, 51) But now, Zion’s possessions will be enjoyed only by those who have a right to them.​—Deuteronomy 14:22-27.

19, 20. (a) How is the way cleared for the Jews to return to Jerusalem? (b) How in modern times has the way been cleared for meek ones to come into Jehovah’s organization?

¹⁹ The new name also makes Jehovah’s organization attractive to honesthearted people. Multitudes flock to it, and the way is kept open for them. Isaiah’s prophecy states: “Pass out, pass out through the gates, you men. Clear the way of the people. Bank up, bank up the highway. Rid it of stones. Raise up a signal for the peoples.” (Isaiah 62:10) In the first instance, this call likely refers to passing out of the gates of the cities of Babylonia in order to return to Jerusalem. The returnees are to clear stones out of the way to make the journey easier and to raise up a signal to show the way.​—Isaiah 11:12.

21, 22. What signal has Jehovah established for those leaving false religion, and how do we know?

²¹ In 537 B.C.E., Jerusalem became the signal that beckoned the Jewish remnant to return and rebuild the temple. (Isaiah 49:22)

“Your Salvation Is Coming”!

23, 24. How is salvation being brought to those having faith in God?

²³ The new name that Jehovah grants to his wifelike organization has to do with the eternal salvation of her children. Isaiah writes: “Look! Jehovah himself has caused it to be heard to the farthest part of the earth: ‘Say, you people, to the daughter of Zion, “Look! Your salvation is coming. Look! The reward he gives is with him, and the wages he pays are before him.”’” (Isaiah 62:11) Salvation came to the Jews when Babylon fell and they returned to their homeland. But these words point to something greater. Jehovah’s declaration brings to mind Zechariah’s prophecy regarding Jerusalem: “Be very joyful, O daughter of Zion. Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem. Look! Your king himself comes to you. He is righteous, yes, saved; humble, and riding upon an ass, even upon a full-grown animal the son of a she-ass.”​—Zechariah 9:9.

²⁴ Three and a half years after Jesus was baptized in water and anointed with God’s spirit, he rode into Jerusalem and cleansed its temple. (Matthew 21:1-5; John 12:14-16)