Isaiah 62:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

However, after the remnant embraced faith, after many from the Gentiles were summoned to Him, and the two nations unified into one, and this singular entity was recognized as the Church, may God ensure that it remains free from past iniquity, not to be termed abandoned or desolate. Rather, may it become a source of delight to Him, and be known not as forsaken, but as the earth of the cosmos. We witness this promise fulfilled: the churches thrive in peace and prosperity, the ranks of believers are significantly vast, and they enjoy God’s favor. Although moments of persecution have arisen, they were brief and ultimately served to strengthen the faithful rather than cause them harm; for through their perseverance and patience, they attained glory and intimacy with Christ and were enriched by the honor of martyrdom.

This new identity will extend beyond these designations; the one once labeled forsaken, which in Hebrew is azura, shall be referred to as epi-si-ra, meaning: My will is in it; and the land previously called semema, which signifies desolate, will henceforth be named bula, a term translated by Avila as εοχηαένη, with Simmachus and Theodotion rendering it as ουνωχιοιιιένη, and the LXX as οικουμένη, all conveying the idea of being inhabited and possessed. It is customary in Hebrew culture to assign names to things, particularly in significant contexts. For example, Abram, originally known as the father of the high places, became Abraham when he received the promise, “And all the Gentiles shall be blessed for thy seed” (Genesis 22:18), thereby being called the father of many nations. Moreover, the Lord Savior is attributed the title of soon captivate, defiantly plunder (Isaiah 8:3). The sons of Zebedee, to whom it could be loudly proclaimed, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1), were designated as Babanerem, meaning sons of Thunder (Mark 3:17). Consequently, the phrase “for you have become acceptable to the Lord, and your land shall be inhabited” is omitted by the Seventy, who offered explanations on why it is referred to as ephsi and bula—indicating that the Lord has favored Zion and rendered its land suitable for habitation, which had previously been deserted due to Jewish transgressions. This can also be interpreted in relation to the Church, which once was overrun by idols and had been forsaken by God.

There are those who propose that the crown of Christ consists of those who have thrived through Him; the diadem of His reign (Is 62:3) symbolizes the martyrs for His sake, whom the Father, through His choice, has given to the Son as a reward—a multitude of the redeemed through His grace. For their sake, she shall receive a new identity, no longer referred to as forsaken or desolate, but rather My will (Is 62:4, LXX), indicating alignment with My purpose. This highlights that she, who was once desolate, will become treasured in place of those who turned away from Christ; yet, with the remnant now saved, they find unity with Him. By "will," it signifies those who adhere to His purposes, whom He loves as a groom cherishes his bride (Is 62:5). He preserves her purity, as referred to in the mystery Paul articulates concerning Christ and the Church (Eph 5:32). Furthermore, it reflects the current condition of the Churches, where the priests tirelessly lead the people who do not know God, creating an unassailable barrier (Is 62:6) that prevents the degradation brought by the devil.