Isaiah 62:1-7

¹ For Zion’s sake I will not be quiet, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not stay still, until her righteousness shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a blazing torch. ² The nations will see your righteousness, and all their kings your glory; and you will be called by a new name that the mouth of Yahveh will decide for you. ³ You will be a beautiful crown in the hand of Yahveh, and a royal headband in the hand of your God. ⁴ You will no more be said to be Abandoned, and your land will no more be said to be Desolate; but you will be called My Enjoyment Is in Her, and your land Married; because Yahveh enjoys you, and your land will be married. ⁵ Because like a young man marries a young woman, so will your builder marry you, and like the bridegroom enjoys the bride, so your God will rejoice because of you. ⁶ Upon your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted sentinels; all day and all night they shall never be quiet. You who remind the LORD, take no rest, ⁷ and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem, glorifying it in the land.

insomniac sentinels

Who are these insomniac sentinels that Isaiah has posted on the walls of Jerusalem? Lots of Christians interpret this image as a call for constant prayer. I’m not so sure that is what Isaiah was getting at. I’m wondering if there were some actual objects or names associated with the walls or gates that were to be a constant reminder to Yahveh that he has promised to marry his betrothed, and enjoy her. At any rate, I am pretty sure that the point is not that God’s people need to pray. We do need to pray without ceasing, but what Isaiah is saying here is that God is not going to forget his promise. The very walls himself remind him of his covenant, as if someone had posted sentinels on it who cannot sleep at night, because they are constantly reminding him of his engagement to his beautiful bride.

LORD, come and take your bride, and enjoy us forever.