By Eugene Garner

ISAIAH - CHAPTER 60

THE GLORY OF THE LORD IN ZION

    Since it is impossible to ignore the similarities between this chapter and Revelation 21 and 22, interpretation is not as simple as one might desire. Some things seem more appropriately applied to the nation; others to the church. Perhaps the most prudent course is to view the blessings portrayed in this passage as belonging to covenant-community of saints from ALL AGES and ALL NATIONS (all of them children of Abraham through a faith that obeys) - united in Christ (Eph. 1:3-14), and exalted to share the eternal pleasures at His right hand.
    As in this age the Lord's church is the earthly manifestation of God's fullness (Eph. 1:20-23; 3:19; 4:13), and the reflector of His glory (II Cor. 3:18); so, in the millennial age, Israel - restored to fellowship with God - will reflect His glory to the ends of the earth. But again, I would submit that it is dangerous to over-simplify this prophecy, or to attempt too sharp a delineation between the peoples involved. Creaturely finiteness requires such humility before this glorious prophecy as faithfully awaits its full unveiling at the appearing and kingdom of our Lord Jesus, the Christ. This, obviously, involves the restoration of the Theocracy.

   Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

    1. Here is a call for the people of God to "Arise and Shine" - experiencing the fullness of a NEW LIFE in the kingdom of God, (52:1-2; comp. Col. 1:12-13).
      a. The Light of Israel has come, (58:8; Mal. 4:2; comp. Isa. 10:17).
      b. The glory of the Lord has risen upon Zion, (24:23; 35:2; 58:8; comp. Rev. 21:9-11) - the abode and representative of the elect covenant-community destined to share the divine fullness of Messiah's millennial rule.
    2. Though thick darkness has enveloped the earth (and all nations), His light and glory are seen shining upon His people, (vs. 2; comp. 2:19, 21; 24:23; 35:1-2; 40:5; Matt. 16:27; 24:29-31; 13:43; etc.).
    3. Nations will come to walk in her light - kings desiring a share in her dawning radiance, (vs. 3; comp. 2:3; 45:14, 22.25; 49:23).

   Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side. Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall show forth the praises of the LORD. All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory. Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.

    1. One of the basic purposes of the New Covenant community, in this age, is to call out from among the Gentiles a people for Messiah's name and kingdom, (Acts 15:13-18).
    2. Here is the gathering of these elect ones to Zion, (vs. 4-5).
      a. Sons and daughters, whom he has never known, are seen coming to her from afar, (vs. 4; 43:6-7; 49.18-22).
      b. Thus will Zion be "enlarged" - as with radiance, and overflowing heart, she welcomes her dear ones home, (vs. 5a; Psa. 34:5; 36:9).
      c. To her shall flow the abundance of the sea (23:18; 24:14-16), and the "wealth of nations" (comp. Prov. 13:22; Isa. 61:6); so will she be greatly enriched, (vs. 5b).
    3. Homage and tribute will be paid her from the East, (vs. 6-7).
      a. Multitudes will come from Midian, Ephah and Sheba - bringing gold and frankincense, and extolling the name of Jehovah, (vs. 6; 42:10).
      b. The sons of Ishmael (the Arabs) will approach her, in such humble readiness to serve, as to find acceptance at God's altar, (vs. 7; comp. Gen. 25:13).
      c. So will the Lord glorify Zion - the house of His glory! (Psa. 132:13-14; Zech. 8:3; Mic. 3:12; 4:1-2; Isa. 2:2; Jer. 3:17; comp. I Cor. 3:9; Eph. 2:19-22; I Tim. 3:15; I Pet. 2:4-10).
    4. Fleets from the West are hastily bringing her children home! (vs. 8-9).
      a. The multitude that the prophet envisions is likened unto a cloud of doves, (vs. 8).
      b. "The Isles" are pictured as waiting for the Lord; the ships of Tarshish foremost to bring His people to Zion - with great riches, (vs. 9a).
      c. This is for the name of Zion's God, the Holy One of Israel, who has glorified her, (vs. 9b; 55:5).

   And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee. Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought. For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted. The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious. The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

    1. Under the smile of divine favor, Zion will be built up by strangers - their kings joyfully serving her, (vs. 10; 54:7-8; 14:2; 61:5; 49:23).
    2. The Prince of Peace having come, Jerusalem will have such peace that her gates will never be shut - the wealth of nations flowing to her in a steady stream, and their kings yielding themselves as her willing subjects, (vs. 11; 26:1-3; Psa. 49; comp. Rev. 21:24-25).
    3. The nation or kingdom that refuses to pay homage to her will perish, (vs. 12; comp. Zech. 14:17).
    4. The "glory of Lebanon" (her most celebrated produce) will be utilized to adorn the Lord's sanctuary and to beautify the place of His feet, (vs. 13; 35:1-2; I Chron. 28:2; Psa. 99:1-5).
    5. The descendants of those who once opposed the people of God will humbly bow their feet - recognizing them as constituting "The City of the Lord", the Zion of the Holy One of Israel, (vs. 14; 45:14, 23).

   Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations. Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob. For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness. Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time.

    1. Jerusalem is to be an eternal city, (vs. 15-16).
      a. Though once despised and forsaken (1:7-9; 6:11-13; Jer. 30:17; Isa. 66:5; 33:8-9), God will make her an eternal excellency wherein many generations will find unbounded joy, (vs. 15; 4:2; 65:18).
      b. No longer identified with a single nation, she will draw upon the resources of all nations - conscious that Jehovah, the Saviour, Redeemer and Mighty One of Jacob, has made it possible, (vs. 16; 66:10-12; 43:3, 11; 45:21; 59:20; 63:16).
    2. This city will experience the fullness of peace and prosperity, (vs. 17-18; 1:26; 32:1) - the evils of her former state being done away, and everything changed for the better, (54:14; 26:1).
    3. God Himself is seen as the eternal light and glory of His people, (vs. 19-20; 2:5; 9:2; Rev. 21:23; 22:5); here they will have no more darkness, no more mourning and no more tears, (65:19; Rev. 21:4).
    4. As the branch of the Lord's planting, and work of His hand, (26:12; 29:23; 64:8), Zion will be inhabited by a new people (pure and holy, 45:24-25; 52:1), and will enter into the blessedness of a glorious new age (57:13b; 61:7; Psa. 37:11, 22) with marvelous possibilities, (vs. 21-22; 44:23; 51:1-3).