Rescuing The Nation
November 15, 2019
Commentary
Isaiah writes about a different kind of light (v. 1). The glory of the Lord is contrasted with the darkness of the hour that will precede His coming (v. 2). All the nations of the earth will be attracted to the Light (vv. 3-5). During the millennium, Israel will be at the head of the nations (vv. 6-9), and Jerusalem will be rebuilt (vv. 10-14). The future worship to be performed in Jerusalem in described in detail.
In contrast with Israel having been forsaken and hated, God will cause others to take pride in her (vv. 15-16). Israel will now have an eternal excellency (v. 15). Much as a nursing child gets sustenance from its mother, so Israel will be sustained by the wealth of the nations (v. 16). There will be both outward beauty and inward stability in this city (vv. 17-18) Wealth brought to Jerusalem will include not only gold and silver, but also bronze and iron. God will bring peace to the government. Violence and the resulting waste and destruction will be eliminated. The very walls of the city will be called Salvation, and the gates Praise.
The city will be filled with the brightness and glory of the Lord (vv. 19-22). No other gods will be worshiped. The inhabitants of the city will be a branch of God’s planting and the work of His hands, implying that they will receive care and nourishment from God Himself. He promises them numerical increase and an expansion of joyous fellowship. All of God’s promises to Israel will be fulfilled to the letter.
Application
As I read these promises, I long for their fulfillment. But I must patiently wait for God’s timing. I should not be discouraged when I look around and see so few people turning to the Lord. One day people throughout the earth will recognize Him as the one true God.
Isaiah 60:1–22 (NET)
1 “Arise! Shine! For your light arrives! The splendor of the Lord shines on you!
2 For, look, darkness covers the earth and deep darkness covers the nations, but the Lord shines on you; his splendor appears over you.
3 Nations come to your light, kings to your bright light.
4 Look all around you! They all gather and come to you— your sons come from far away, and your daughters are escorted by guardians.
5 Then you will look and smile, you will be excited and your heart will swell with pride. For the riches of distant lands will belong to you, and the wealth of nations will come to you.
6 Camel caravans will cover your roads, young camels from Midian and Ephah. All the merchants of Sheba will come, bringing gold and incense and singing praises to the Lord.
7 All the sheep of Kedar will be gathered to you; the rams of Nebaioth will be available to you as sacrifices. They will go up on my altar acceptably, and I will bestow honor on my majestic temple.
8 Who are these who float along like a cloud, who fly like doves to their shelters?
9 Indeed, the coastlands look eagerly for me; the large ships are in the lead, bringing your sons from far away, along with their silver and gold, to honor the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has bestowed honor on you.
10 Foreigners will rebuild your walls; their kings will serve you. Even though I struck you down in my anger, I will restore my favor and have compassion on you.
11 Your gates will remain open at all times; they will not be shut during the day or at night, so that the wealth of nations may be delivered, with their kings leading the way.
12 Indeed, nations or kingdoms that do not serve you will perish; such nations will definitely be destroyed.
13 The splendor of Lebanon will come to you, its evergreens, firs, and cypresses together, to beautify my palace; I will bestow honor on my throne room.
14 The children of your oppressors will come bowing to you; all who treated you with disrespect will bow down at your feet. They will call you, ‘The City of the Lord, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.’
15 You were once abandoned and despised, with no one passing through, but I will make you a permanent source of pride and joy to coming generations.
16 You will drink the milk of nations; you will nurse at the breasts of kings. Then you will recognize that I, the Lord, am your Deliverer, your Protector, the Powerful One of Jacob.
17 Instead of bronze, I will bring you gold; instead of iron, I will bring you silver; instead of wood, I will bring you bronze; instead of stones, I will bring you iron. I will make prosperity your overseer, and vindication your sovereign ruler.
18 Sounds of violence will no longer be heard in your land, or the sounds of destruction and devastation within your borders. You will name your walls, ‘Deliverance,’ and your gates, ‘Praise.’
19 The sun will no longer supply light for you by day, nor will the moon’s brightness shine on you; the Lord will be your permanent source of light— the splendor of your God will shine upon you.
20 Your sun will no longer set; your moon will not disappear; the Lord will be your permanent source of light; your time of sorrow will be over.
21 All your people will be godly; they will possess the land permanently. I will plant them like a shoot; they will be the product of my labor, through whom I reveal my splendor.
22 The least of you will multiply into a thousand; the smallest of you will become a large nation. When the right time comes, I the Lord will quickly do this!”
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