Reflections on Isaiah 60

Isaiah 60 (Contemporary English Version)
1. Jerusalem, stand up! Shine! Your new day is dawning. The glory of the LORD shines brightly on you.
   
2. The earth and its people are covered with darkness, but the glory of the LORD is shining upon you.
   
3. Nations and kings will come to the light of your dawning day.
   
4. Open your eyes! Look around! Crowds are coming. Your sons are on their way from distant lands; your daughters are being carried like little children.
   
5. When you see this, your faces will glow; your hearts will pound and swell with pride. Treasures from across the sea and the wealth of nations will be brought to you.
   
6. Your country will be covered with caravans of young camels from Midian and Ephah. The people of Sheba will bring gold and spices in praise of me, the LORD.
   
7. Every sheep of Kedar will come to you; rams from Nebaioth will be yours as well. I will accept them as offerings and bring honor to my temple.
   
8. What is that sailing by like clouds or like doves flying home?
   
9. On those distant islands your people are waiting for me, the LORD. Seagoing ships lead the way to bring them home with their silver and gold. I, the holy LORD God of Israel, do this to honor your people, so they will honor me.
   
10. Jerusalem, your city walls will be rebuilt by foreigners; their rulers will become your slaves. I punished you in my anger; now I will be kind and treat you with mercy.
    
11. Your gates will be open day and night to let the rulers of nations lead their people to you with all their treasures.
    
12. Any nation or kingdom that refuses to serve you will be wiped out.
    
13. Wood from Lebanon's best trees will be brought to you-- the pines, the firs, and the cypress trees. It will be used in my temple to make beautiful the place where I rest my feet.
    
14. The descendants of enemies who hated and mistreated you will kneel at your feet. They will say, "You are Zion, the city of the LORD, the holy God of Israel."
    
15. You were hated and deserted, rejected by everyone. But I will make you beautiful, a city to be proud of for all time to come.
    
16. You will drain the wealth of kings and foreign nations. You will know that I, the mighty LORD God of Israel, have saved and rescued you.
    
17. I will bring bronze and iron in place of wood and stone; in place of bronze and iron, I will bring gold and silver. I will appoint peace and justice as your rulers and leaders.
    
18. Violence, destruction, and ruin will never again be heard of within your borders. "Victory" will be the name you give to your walls; "Praise" will be the name you give to your gates.
    
19. You won't need the light of the sun or the moon. I, the LORD your God, will be your eternal light and bring you honor.
    
20. Your sun will never set or your moon go down. I, the LORD, will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will come to an end.
    
21. Your people will live right and always own the land; they are the trees I planted to bring praise to me.
    
22. Even the smallest family will be a powerful nation. I am the LORD, and when the time comes, I will quickly do all this.

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Israel's glory, described in this chapter, is in stark contrast to her sinful condition described in the previous two chapters. Chapters 58 and 59 are addressing Israel in Isaiah's time and chapter 60 addresses Israel in the Millennium under the reign of the Messiah. Also in contrast is God's blessing on Israel during this time as opposed to Isaiah's time when He brought judgment on the nation. The attitude of all other nations toward Israel is also a contrast. During much of Israel's history since her pinnacle under the reign of king David and his son, Solomon, other nations of the world have looked down on Israel and sought to put her down. This is true even today. But in the Millennium it will be vastly different. Other nations will actually help Israel rebuild Jerusalem and the Lord's sanctuary, bringing gold and other fine metals along with timber from Lebanon.

During the time of the Millennium, Israel will return to the Lord and the Lord will richly bless her. Israel's children will come from all the places around the world to which they have been scattered, returning to their homeland. Israel will know peace and will be able to leave the gates of Jerusalem open both day and night for there will be no danger of attack. Instead, people of other nations will come at all times bringing their wealth to Jerusalem and the gates will remain open to receive them. God promises that "Violence will never again be heard of in your land; devastation and destruction will be gone from your borders. But you will name your walls salvation, and your gates praise." (60:18)

Not only will God be Israel's protector, He will be their light - literally. In place of the sun and moon, the Lord "will be your everlasting light." (60:19) Thus, the "sun will no longer set, and your moon will not fade; for the LORD will be your everlasting light." (60:20) Finally, God's plan for Israel will be accomplished. All her people will be righteous and Israel will possess the land forever. All of this so that the Lord "may be glorified." (60:21)