Isaiah 60:1-22
Q.1. What promise did God make for Israel’s future? Has this been fulfilled with their regathering to the Land? Is this a time of blessing for the surrounding nations? How will they view Israel? – (Isa.60:1-9)
Isaiah had prophesied about the coming judgment of Israel and Judah. However, he also brought consolation, as he described the coming of the Messiah, His atoning death, and His ultimate triumph. The best way to interpret this chapter is to understand it as a description of the Millennial Reign of Christ from Zion (Isa.60:13-14 c.f. Ezk.chpts.40-48). The gloom and darkness will give way to the light and glory of the Lord (Isa.60:1-2 c.f. Isa.9:2-3). Miraculously, Isaiah predicted – A multitude of camels will cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba will come; they will bring gold and frankincense and will bear good news of the praises of the Lord (Isa.60:6). This was fulfilled with the arrival of the magi from the east, seeking to worship the baby Jesus (Mt.2:1-2). Upon finding Him – they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh (Mt.2:11). After His first coming, and when He reigns as King of kings and Lord of lords – Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising (Isa.60:3 c.f. Isa.2:3-4). I have seen the miraculous regathering of Israel as a nation in May 1948 in my lifetime, of which God declared – they will no longer say – ‘As the Lord lives who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt’, but ‘As the Lord lives, who brought up and led the descendants of the household of Israel from the north land and from all the countries where I had driven them’. Then they will live in their own soil’ (Jer.23:7-8). However, it is clear that the Lord was particularly speaking about a future time when Israel – will know that I, the Lord, am your Saviour and your Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob (Isa.60:16 c.f. Jer.23:5-6; Rom.11:25-27). During this time, the surrounding nations – will bear good news of the praises of the Lord (Isa.60:6). These nations will acknowledge the Lord, and also the elevated place He has assigned to Israel – … For the name of the Lord your God, and for the Holy One of Israel because He has glorified you (Isa.60:9).
Q.2. How will the nations regard Israel at this time? What changes will God make to the Land? What will happen to His sanctuary? How will Zion be regarded by the nations? – (Isa.60:10-14 c.f. Mic.4:1-7)
Israel will be esteemed as – you will see and be radiant, and your heart will thrill and rejoice; Because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you, the wealth of the nations will come to you … Men will bring to you the wealth of the nations, with their kings led in procession (Isa.60:5, 11). Nations will acknowledge the real reason Israel was chastised. It was – … in My wrath I struck you, and in My favour, I have had compassion on you (Isa.60:10). All believers will share in Christ’s Thousand Year Reign. During that time, many will be born among the nations, who will not believe or accept the Lord (Isa.60:12 c.f. Zech.14:16-19). Mount Zion will be raised above the mountains of earth, and will be completely re-landscaped and beautified – The glory of Lebanon will come to you, the juniper, the box tree, and the cypress together, to beautify the place of My sanctuary; And I shall make the place of My feet glorious … And they will call you the city of the Lord, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel (Isa.60:13-14 c.f. Isa.2:2; Mic.4:1).
Q.3. How will the nations treat Israel? How will Israel view the Lord? Who will bring these changes? How far-reaching will the reversals be for Israel? When will these changes be accomplished? – (Isa.60:15-22)
Attitudes towards Israel by other nations are usually based on political and economic considerations. However, during Christ’s reign, these prejudices will be removed. – Whereas you have been forsaken and hated with no one passing through, I will make you an everlasting pride, a joy from generation to generation (Isa.60:15). Israel also will have a changed heart – Then you will know that I, the Lord, am your Saviour … Then all your people will be righteous … (Isa.60:16, 21 c.f. Zech.12:10-13:1). All this will be accomplished by the Lord, as He completely changes the fortunes of His people (Isa.60:15-18). This is clearly future and speaks of a permanent state of blessedness – 19 … for you will have the Lord for an everlasting light, and your God for your glory. 20 Your sun will no longer set, nor will your moon wane; For you will have the Lord for an everlasting light, and the days of your mourning will be over (Isa.60:19-20). Truly, the best is yet to come, as – The smallest one will become a clan and the least one a mighty nation. I, the Lord, will hasten it in its time (Isa.60:22). Best of all, God does it to draw attention to His wisdom, so – that I may be glorified (Isa.60:21).