Rescuing The Nation
November 15, 2019
Commentary
What the prophet Isaiah speaks about when he writes in this chapter is much different (v. 1). What God’s Word talks about here is a different kind of light, and a different kind of darkness. The glory of the Lord is contrasted with the darkness of the hour that will precede His coming (v. 2). And when this special light that God speaks about begins to shine through that ugly darkness, the results are much more spectacular and joyful than anything you could experience in northern Alaska. God pictures our world as a very dark place. Spiritually dark. You can see evidence of spiritual darkness by looking around you. Look around you, watch people, listen to them talk, see what they do, and it will become very clear to you that our world is a very dark place spiritually. All of the nations of the earth will be attracted to the Light (vv. 3-5).
These verses contain a listing of all of the gifts and wealth that will be brought to Israel. This is a beautiful poetic description of millennial blessings, when Israel will be the head of the nations (vv. 6-9) and Jerusalem will be rebuilt (vv. 10-14). The verses describe in detail the worship which is performed in Jerusalem. Special attention is centered around the sanctuary where this worship takes place. The chapter closes with language very reminiscent of the book of Revelation. All of God’s promises to Israel will be fulfilled to the letter. These great passages in Isaiah look forward to that time of earthly glory, when Israel shall be the foremost of the nations. It shall all come to pass, exactly as recorded here.
Application
As I read these promises, I long for their fulfillment. But I must patiently wait for God’s timing.
Isaiah 60:1– 14 (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.’