A Royal Diadem in the Hand of Your God
A Look at the word pictures in Isiah 62
“For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch. The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate, but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married, for the LORD delights in you.” (Isaiah 62:1-4 ESV)
Notice that God is not wearing this crown on his head. That comes much later. Instead, he is holding it in his hand in admiration and satisfaction. As he did in the original creation, so with his new creation, he rejoices in what he has made.
To understand the picture in these words of Isaiah, let’s act it out.
You will play the part of God and hold the diadem in your hands. Isaiah pictured his own city and nation being transformed from forsaken desolation into God’s personal delight. You will hold a diadem that represents you as a new creation of God through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Tell us some things about how God now views you as righteous by union with Christ.
Okay, I will try. This is awkward. I will try to be humble. “As I look at this crown, I see God’s handiwork. He has taken wires of different metals and has shaped them into a work of art. I see the brightness of God himself reflected in the shining of the diadem. He has performed a miracle in me.
“It’s like that line in C. S. Lewis’s dream of visiting heaven in ‘The Great Divorce.’ After seeing a man trying to impress other people with his goodness by showing off his own fleshly abilities, Lewis observed, ‘Brass is mistaken for gold more easily than clay is.’ But God started with clay. He shaped it into a form and breathed his own life into me. God is continuing to change me and refine me into pure gold.”
Remember, now, you are playing the part of God. You are not the speaking for the crown. So describe what you see as God would describe it while he looks at you.
All right. Start over. “This person was designed to bear my own image. I started with base metals that were good, but not God-like. The original creation, including human beings, I declared to be good. Very good, in fact. And even though they rebelled and disobeyed, I provided a way of restoration through the Incarnation and the Cross. And look how beautiful my new creation is becoming. As I look at the curves and figures of the diadem, I see symbols of eternity, of goodness and beauty, of holiness even. I see more than an individual child of God in this crown. Notice the intertwining of the parts, the connectedness, and the overall unity of the decoration.”
Imagine that you are talking together as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. What do you say within the Godhead about the person who is you?
“Well when Jesus prayed to the Father he said, ‘The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one.’ So, I want everyone to notice that this is a glorious crown. I not only can see my own reflection in its shining surface, but I have put my own glory within it. This crown of beauty displays glory and unity, along with righteousness and truth. I see it as a fitting crown for my own head.”
We know that the crown is not completed yet. It is still being transformed. Can you tell us anything about how it will grow in beauty and glory? What will be added to it? Will there be gemstones or purple velvet or other adornments?
“Well, certainly, there will be more added. But remember that each redeemed person is unique and individual. Like snowflakes, no two are exactly alike. This crown, for example, will probably be enhanced with fur rather than jewels. He is especially marked by softness and gentleness. People will seek him for comfort. Another diadem will be loaded with diamonds, to symbolize the hardness and durability required by her calling to go into the hard places with my presence, hope, and patience. She won’t easily give up on anyone. And another one will be decked in gems of all colors to show the multi-faceted pattern of wisdom and inclusiveness. No one model can exhibit the entirety of the image of God.
So do you imagine that you, as the crown in this little play, have some choice in the outcome of your own transformation? Or, do you, as God in the play, determine everything for each believer?
“There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit, and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord, and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God that empowers them all in everyone.’ So as the maker of the diadems, I make sure they turn out right. But that does not leave my people as puppets. ‘Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.’ As my people with unveiled faces behold the glory of the Lord, they are changed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. Otherwise, how could anyone with a sinful background ever be called a delight to a holy God?”
Now, before we end this exercise of acting out this diadem beauty drama, would you place the diadem on your head and look at yourself in the mirror?
“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flaming fire and on his head are many diadems.” (Revelation 19:11-12 ESV)