The NASB section title is The Glory of Israel in the Millennial Kingdom...I am quite intrigued.
“Arise, shine; for your light has come,
Isaiah 60: 1-3 NASB 95 biblegateway.com
And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
2 “For behold, darkness will cover the earth
And deep darkness the peoples;
But the Lord will rise upon you
And His glory will appear upon you.
3 “Nations will come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.
What a glorious promise. From Babylon captivity to drawing kings and nations. Israel, and Jerusalem specifically, is such a special place. We should never underestimate its place in the world. A small remnant to rise to such an honorable place. unearned, undeserved, but all glory to God when it happened.
MacArthur and Ryrie point out that Gentiles are specifically included in verse 3.
We can take heart in that. We are often the small minority, narrow is the way. But unearned and undeserved we will experience the full fulfillment of all of this.
- All ill gather there. Sons and daughters returned.
- We will be radiant
- We will be thrilled and rejoice
- the abundance of the sea will be turned to us
- The wealth of nations.
- Verses 6 and 7 promises all have a middle eastern reference, making me think He will even redeem Israel's most vicious enemies from there.
- I could be stretching here but verse 8 makes me think many will come by plane and verse 9 by boat- bringing riches and people.
Verses 6-9 can even be see today. And verse 10 also.
“Foreigners will build up your walls,
Isaiah 60:10
And their kings will minister to you;
For in My wrath I struck you,
And in My favor I have had compassion on you.
Foreigners did build up her modern "walls". She has amazing technology protecting her. and Jews and non-Jews alike pour into Israel. Many stay. They were dispersed and now they have a home, for those who seek it. They were brushed for many centuries, but now God has brought them home and shined upon them- in agriculture-reclaiming the ground; in technology and entrepreneurship; and in victory over many enemies.
The MacArthur Bible Commentary points out that in the prequel version of this story, when Israel returns from Babylonian captivity, the Persian king helped rebuild.
Verse 11 talks about their gates being open continually, to allow nations to bring their wealth. That's partially fulfilled, but will be fully fulfilled when Jesus returns.
Verses 12 and 13 promise to fully rid her of enemy nations and turn that land into a prosperous, beautiful footstool for the Lord. Amen.
- Those who despised her will turn. (v. 14)
- Previously forsaken and hated, everlasting pride and joy is coming (v.15)
- Resources will come from other nations and their kings
And here's a really essential part of all of this:
Then you will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
Isaiah 60: 16b
If you don't understand that last part, it may seem odd that God would show Israel (and Christians) this kind of unearned and undeserved grace, generosity, and glory. He loves us and wants good things for us; but this generosity is for HIS NAME'S SAKE. His Glory. His demonstration of His covenant faithfulness.
It is utterly essential to remember that.
For
HIS
NAME'S
SAKE.
Yes, it shows love for us. But that love shows who He is. It's the same message from the beginning.
- He describes good things coming, material things, along with peace and righteousness. (v.17)
- The end of violence and devastation- salvation and praise. (v18) That has to bring much comfort to those currently in Israel living in the constant reality of violence from nations all around them and Muslims from within, especially so close to the massacre on October 7, 2023- with hostages still being tortured and enslaved.)
“No longer will you have the sun for light by day,
Isaiah 60: 19
Nor for brightness will the moon give you light;
But you will have the Lord for an everlasting light,
And your God for your glory.
Oh. Glorious. Day!!!!!!!!!!!
No more sunsets or waning moons. No more mourning. Just the everlasting light of the Lord for eternity.
Oh. Glorious. Day!!!!!!!!!!!
“Then all your people will be righteous;
Isaiah 60:22
They will possess the land forever,
The branch of My planting,
The work of My hands,
That I may be glorified.
22 “The smallest one will become a clan,
And the least one a mighty nation.
I, the Lord, will hasten it in its time.”
I am so looking forward to being righteous. Incorruptible. What a relief that will be.
I'm looking forward to glorifying God for eternity. The only one worthy of my praise.
Oh glorious day. Amen.
A little P.S. today. In Warren Wiersbe's commentary on Isaiah, Be Comforted, he has a concise and interesting summary of God and His expression of His Glory.
- First, (in the post-Exodus world) He expressed His Glory in the tabernacle, which He departed due to their sin
- Then He expressed His glory in the temple, which He departed due to their idolatry
- Then He expressed Hi glory by sending His Son, whom they murdered
- Now He expresses His glory in His church body, in His believers as the new temple.
What is our response to that?
I'm looking forward to the glory He describes in the chapter above.