What is the meaning of Isaiah 66:10? Be glad for Jerusalem “Be glad for Jerusalem” (Isaiah 66:10a) begins with a clear command, not a suggestion. The Lord is calling His people to celebrate His chosen city, recognizing that its story—past, present, and future—is woven into His redemptive plan. • Psalm 122:6 urges, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may those who love you prosper,” linking our joy to earnest prayer and practical concern. • Isaiah 62:6-7 shows watchmen stationed on Jerusalem’s walls until God “makes her the praise of the earth,” underscoring that our gladness rests on God’s sure promise of restoration. Because Scripture is accurate and literal, we anticipate a tangible fulfillment: Jerusalem will be center stage in God’s coming kingdom (Zechariah 14:16-17). and rejoice over her “and rejoice over her” (Isaiah 66:10b) repeats the theme, turning inner gladness into outward celebration. Joy here is demonstrative—songs, testimony, and worship that draw attention to God’s faithfulness. • Zephaniah 3:14 calls, “Shout for joy, O Daughter Zion… the LORD has removed your punishment,” foreshadowing the day when sin and judgment are fully lifted. • Revelation 21:2 pictures “the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,” reminding us that rejoicing now previews eternal rejoicing then. all who love her Isaiah narrows the audience: “all who love her.” Love for Jerusalem is love for what God loves. • Psalm 137:5 pledges, “If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand cease to function,” reflecting covenant loyalty. • Galatians 4:26 identifies believers with “the Jerusalem above,” so affection for the earthly city naturally aligns with affection for the heavenly. Those who delight in the city’s destiny demonstrate commitment to God’s promises, whether Jew or Gentile grafted in (Romans 11:17-18). Rejoice greatly with her “Rejoice greatly with her” (Isaiah 66:10c) intensifies the call: our joy is to be abundant, shared, and overflowing. • Isaiah 12:6 commands, “Cry aloud and shout for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst.” • Romans 12:15 adds the principle, “Rejoice with those who rejoice,” inviting us to enter Jerusalem’s future celebration as if already present. Believers rejoice not only for what God will do for themselves but for what He will do for His city—a selfless, communal joy. all who mourn over her Finally, God addresses “all who mourn over her” (Isaiah 66:10d). Tears for Jerusalem’s past desolations position hearts to receive comfort in her coming glory. • Psalm 102:13-14 notes the favor God grants those who “cherish her very dust,” validating grief over her ruins. • Matthew 5:4 promises, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted,” applying directly to those whose sorrow aligns with God’s heart. • Isaiah 61:2-3 foretells the Messiah’s mission “to comfort all who mourn… to give them a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair,” a promise guaranteed by Christ’s first coming and consummated at His return. summary Isaiah 66:10 is a summons to active, wholehearted participation in God’s plan for Jerusalem. We are commanded to: • Celebrate the city God exalts. • Express joy that showcases His faithfulness. • Cultivate love that mirrors His covenant. • Share exuberant rejoicing rooted in future restoration. • Transform mourning into hope-filled anticipation of comfort. Taken literally, the verse assures that God will honor Jerusalem, turning today’s prayers and tears into tomorrow’s songs. Loving, praying, and rejoicing over Jerusalem aligns us with the Lord’s own purposes and readies us for the day when “all flesh shall come to worship before Me, declares the LORD” (Isaiah 66:23). |
    |