PROPHETIC CONTEXT - According to one commentator that I’ve reviewed, the proclaimer should consider the parameters for this lesson from chapter 59 to 65. Given such boundaries then, the context suggests that the prophet has confronted people with their sin/s as enumerated in 59:1-8. Immediately following the confrontation the people confess their transgressions (59:9-15) and finally, God plans to rescue these oppressed people.

DAWN OF A NEW RELATIONSHIP - Seems we are in an ancient wedding ceremony between God and God’s people. This is especially apparent in the name change-old names are cast aside-Forsaken / Desertedwife, to be replaced with names that now suggest a new status, beginning, and level of intimacy: Godispleasedwithher ("Hephzibah") and Happilymarried ("Beluah").

PUTTING GOD ON NOTICE - The prophet here takes measures to put God on notice. This . . . marks a critical moment in our struggles for faith . . . God cannot work with those who reject words of promise and turn to their own ways. The middle course we see here: persistent reminding of God, carrying-in penitence and in boldness-our concern that the divine word accomplish every good thing God has promised and intends. This too belongs to the way of the righteous. [1]

Do you know the meanings of your names? Is there a story behind any of your names? Whom were you named after? What about nick-names?

What are some of the names that our culture labels people with?

What does each new name indicate about God’s new relationship with God’s people?

I think I would play with the idea of name changes that occur in this lesson. What did such a practice mean then-in the ancient Middle Eastern culture? What does a name-change mean today? Sometimes people don’t like their name, so they change it; sometimes people in government relocation programs must change their names to avoid getting snuffed out by the bad guys. In marriage name-changes are common: one or both persons assume something of the other’s name in theirs. In John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, Pilgrim’s name ("Pilgrim") is changed to "Christian."

What does a name change mean to a change in status? How does that new name claim a new level of relationship-rights and responsibilities-between two people? What can we learn of the inhabitants of Israel and God through the old and new names? What name change in our communities would free us to a new level of relationship with God and neighbor?

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[1] The New Interpreter’s Bible VI (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1999), page 517.