Service to God Will Be Rewarded

The new name Jehovah gives his people reassures them that their efforts are not in vain.  "Jehovah has sworn with his right hand and with his strong arm:  'I will no more give your grain as food to your enemies, nor will foreigners drink your new wine, for which you have toiled.  But the very ones gathering it will eat it, and they will be certain to praise Jehovah; and the  very ones collecting it will drink it in my holy courtyards.' " (Isaiah 62:8, 9) Jehovah's right hand and strong arm are symbols of his power and strength.  (Deuteronomy 32:40; Ezekiel 20:5)  His swearing by these shows that he is determined  to change Zion's state of affairs.  IN 607 B.C.E., Jehovah permits Zion's  enemies to rob her and plunder her belongings.  (Deuteronomy 28:33, 51)  But now, Zion's possessions will be enjoyed only by those  who have a right to them.-Deuteronomy 14:22-27.

In the modern-day fulfillment of this promise, Jehovah's restored people experience great spiritual prosperity.  They fully enjoy the fruits of their labor-an increased number of Christian disciples and an abundance of spiritual food.  (Isaiah 55:1, 2; 65:14)  Because his people are faithful, Jehovah does not let their enemies interfere with their spiritual prosperity or rob them of the results of their whole-souled service. None of the work that is done  in the service of Jehovah  is in vain. -Malachi 3:10-12; Hebrews 6:10. 

The new name also makes Jehovah's organization attractive to honesthearted people.  Multitudes flock to it, and the way is kept open for them.  Isaiah's prophecy states:  "Pass out, pass out through the gates, you men. Clear the way of the people.  Bank up, bank up the highway.  Rid it of stones.  Raise up a signal for the peoples."  (Isaiah 62:10) In the first instance, this call likely refers to passing out of the gates of the cities of Babylonia in order to return to Jerusalem.  The returnees are to clear stones out of the way to make the journey easier and to raise up a signal to show the way. -Isaiah 11:12.

Next time: Conclusion of Service to God Will Be Rewarded

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, Volume II, 2001