John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 62:4

"Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzi-bah, and thy land Beulah; for Jehovah delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married." — Isaiah 62:4 (ASV)

Thou shalt no more be called forsaken. He addresses a difficulty that might occur to the minds of believers. Since they were forsaken and abandoned, while at the same time they were called a “diadem” and a “crown,” this might seem contradictory.

Given that they were hated and abhorred by all nations, and sometimes even lay prostrate at the feet of their enemies with no assistance of any kind visible, it might appear ridiculous that they should receive these names and thus be elevated to heaven and placed in the hand of God.

He therefore means that the people, though for a time they resemble a divorced and forsaken woman, will yet be restored so as to change their condition and name. It is as if he had said, “This divorce will not be perpetual; God will eventually receive you to Himself.”

Thus, although the Church seems to be “forsaken” and has the appearance of a divorced woman, the Lord will put an end to her afflictions and miseries.

For they shall call thee, My good-pleasure in her. He teaches that this proceeds from the “good-pleasure of God”—that is, from His undeserved favor—so that nothing may be ascribed to the merits or excellence of men, as he says in Hosea:

I will espouse thee to me in mercy and compassions. (Hosea 2:19).

And thus he shows that they will be prosperous for no other reason than because God, out of His infinite goodness, will graciously condescend to receive into favor those whom He had abandoned.

Although this relates strictly to the Church, yet let us learn in general that it is by the favor and bounty of God that cities and kingdoms are restored to their former condition, which, while He was angry and offended, appeared to be ruined.

The Prophet, therefore, presents to the Jews the source of all the calamities they had suffered, testifying that when God is reconciled to them, they will be happy. For from this we may gather that God was formerly angry with them when their condition was wretched and miserable.

And thy land shall be married. This metaphor, by which he denotes the restoration of the people, is highly beautiful and conveys twofold instruction. He shows that the state of variance between God and the Church will be terminated: first, because she will be received as a wife by her appeased husband; and secondly, because the multitude of people will take away the reproach of widowhood. The earth is, in some sense, married to its inhabitants, as trees are to vines; and, on the other hand, when it is stripped of its inhabitants, it is said to be a widow.

For the good-pleasure of Jehovah is in thee. He again repeats and confirms what has already been said: that it is due to the undeserved kindness of God that the Church is restored, that she remains in her condition, and that the earth receives its inhabitants. For when God turns away His face and is angry with us, nothing but destruction can be anticipated, and nothing can be expected from the aid or strength of men.