From Azubah to Hephzibah: From Forsaken to My Delight Is In Her

2 Samuel 5:6–9 (LSB) Then … king David and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, and they said to David, “You shall not come in here, but the blind and lame will turn you away”; thinking, “David cannot enter here.” 7 Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion, that is the city of David. 8 And David said on that day, “Whoever would strike down the Jebusites, let him reach the lame and the blind, who are hated by David’s soul, through the water tunnel.” Therefore they say, “The blind or the lame shall not come into the house.” 9 Then David lived in the fortress and called it the city of David. And David built all around from the Millo and inward.

Of course Jerusalem reached its zenith under the reign of David’s son, Solomon, who built a Temple, a permanent replacement for the Tabernacle in the wilderness.

It was in this Temple where God’s Presence, His sekinah-glory was manifested.

2 Chronicles 5:13–14 (NLT) The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the LORD with these words: “He is good! His faithful love endures forever!” At that moment a thick cloud filled the Temple of the LORD. 14 The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the LORD filled the Temple of God.

In fact, more important than Jerusalem being the place where the king resided, was that it was the place where GOD resided:

Ezekiel prophesied in Ezekiel 48:35b that the day was coming when Ezekiel 48:35b (LSB) … the name of the city from that day shall be, ‘Yahweh- shammah or the LORD is there.’”

Oh, but most of us know the sad things that happened in later years after Solomon.

There were times when the inhabitants served and worshipped God, like under kings Hezekiah, Jehoshaphat and Josiah.

But more often were the times they compromised and conformed to the pagan cultures around them.

This Wednesday night we will begin a series of studies that link the books of Daniel and Revelation together.

Daniel was a young man who saw Jerusalem brought low because of God’s judgment.

Jerusalem and Judah entered into a 70 year period of captivity.

Daniel and many fine young people were removed from Jerusalem and made to serve in pagan Babylon.

Jerusalem and the Temple were leveled and became a wasteland.

All because the inhabitants of the city would not surrender to the glory of God and worship Him alone.

But in our text, Isaiah writes the proclamation of Messiah.

A Messiah anointed in Isaiah 61 — Jesus spoke the words of the first verse in a synagogue in Nazareth when He began His public ministry as Messiah and Emmanuel.

Here in Isaiah 62 Messiah speaks of Jerusalem’s devastation.

But Messiah declares He will not be silent in the face of that devastation.

He will NOT be quiet.

He will tell us the current names of Jerusalem — but He will not leave it in that condition:

The Anointed One’s concern over Zion will cause Him to keep speaking and acting until Zion’s righteousness shines out with brightness, and her salvation becomes a flaming torch giving light to the world.

Because of its rebellion against God, Jerusalem became known as

az-AB- ah - forsaken

shee - mah- MAH - desolate

But God’s judgment fell upon that city to bring it and and its inhabitants back to relationship with Him.

No longer az-AB-ah and shee-mah-MAH but given new names:

hef-zee-BAH - My delight is in her

Beulah - Married

Nations and kings will see and be attracted to Zion’s righteousness and glory.

The “new names” indicates a new nature and character given by the Lord.

Jerusalem is a type of a people who come to God, broken and desolate

But a city that will experience His salvation.

A city is more than wood, concrete, steel and stone.

A city is its people — the people who inhabit, work and socialize the structures.

Every city has a personality.

Think about Chicago, Atlanta, San Francisco and New York.

May WE Be Hephzibah and Beulah

I’m sure you can see many parallels between the city, Jerusalem, and us.

WE were once pagans, worshipping, conforming to, the gods of this world, at the very least we put self on the throne — exalted self as god..

But the Son of David, Jesus, came into our lives and captured us with His sacrifice and His love.

We were transformed.

We became Jesus’ capital city in our families, in our schools, in our places of work, in our neighborhoods.

That relationship became even more apparent when we were Baptized in the Holy Spirit and became the place of God’s Presence.

1 Corinthians 6:19 (LSB) … do you not know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a notable and visible manifestation of God’s Spirit, God’s Presence living in us, abiding ON us, empowering us for ministry.

And Jesus is still Baptizing in the Holy Spirit.

Come tonight.

There will be those seeking to be Baptized in the Holy Spirit for the first time.

But maybe you need a refilling.

Come seeking God.

As I posted on Instagram and Facebook this morning:

Jeremiah 29:13 (LSB) ‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Come tonight - In these uncertain and chaotic times in which we live, we need the certainty, the power of the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Like Jerusalem of old, some of us have been inconsistent in living for God.

We gave into temptation.

We gave into the seduction of this world and its ways.

Maybe God had to bring correction into our lives.

Which He did because He loves us.

Hebrews 12:5–11 (NLT) … have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the LORD’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. 6 For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” 7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? 10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

Whether we always consistently served God, or even if we backslid, God loves us so much that He changes us, He translates us from…

Az-AB- ah and shee - mah- MAH, forsaken and desolate

“Hephzibah” (“my delight is in her”) and “Beulah” (“married”).

The Lord changes our relationship and our situation.

Give Thanks and Praise to God

This morning, through this prophecy over Jerusalem, I want to us to carry the hope of a happy ending.

Because Jesus died on the Cross we can be transformed from Azubah to Hephzibah,

From being forsaken, cut off because of our sins,

To being the one the Lord says: “My delight is in her,” “My delight is in him.”

Let’s let The Lord’s Supper be a time of giving thanks and praise for what God has done.

For His power working in our lives to change us from glory to greater glory.

As the Worship team comes to the platform this morning.

They will pick up the emblems of the Lord’s Supper on the way.

Let’s all stand and give ourselves afresh and anew to God.

As we seek His face let’s prepare to partake of the Lord’s Supper together by repenting of our sins and surrendering to Jesus being Lord of our lives.

1 Corinthians 11:27–28 (NLT) So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup.

Sing:

You don’t have to be a member.

Come pick up and hold the elements until we can all partake together at the same time.

Bread

1 Corinthians 11:23–24 (NLT) For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread 24 and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Prayer

End prayer with prayer from Seder:

i. Blessed are you, O Lord our God, who brings forth bread from the earth.

Partake

Cup

1 Corinthians 11:25 (NLT) In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.”

Prayer

End prayer with prayer from Seder:

i. Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.

Partake

Jesus is coming back.

1 Corinthians 11:26 (NASB95) For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

Jesus is coming back for those He has redeemed with His Blood. He will take us to be where He is — and what a day of rejoicing that will be!