Israel was to rise, shine in splendor. Darkness as black as night was to cover the rest of the world. Their hearts and minds were darkened because of blindness. From Zion rays of light flowed to other nations. Their sons and grandchildren were brought back by their captors. Merchants from around the world would be trading with Israel. Caravans and traders from Sheba and Midian came with their wares for trade, tribal leaders from Kedar brought sacrifices to Jerusalem. Ships sail into the ports like clouds—vessels from the islands, and ships from Spain are bringing their sons and daughters home with a cargo of trade. Foreigners will help in their building projects.
Israel’s gates were open for tourists and trade. The gates shall be open continually means that they were closed at night for protection and opened in the day for visitors and trade. See the books of Nehemiah and Ezra for the building of these gates and how they were guarded. Cyrus, king of Persia, made a decree that bullocks, rams, lambs, wheat, salt, wine, oil, and tribute be brought to the Jews that were rebuilding Jerusalem and in the decree declared that any nation refusing to do so would be destroyed. This decree is found in Ezra 6:3-12. Zion is a boom town and no longer despised. She is called, “the city of the LORD.” Zion had been an animal sanctuary for 70 years, and is now being inhabited and a joy to all nations. Israel was trading on the world market—brass for gold—iron for silver—stones for iron. The good news was the lack of violence and border security. Their days of mourning were over—a new day had arrived—they were walking in the light of the LORD. As long as God’s people would do good and live right the land would remain theirs forever. God had planted them in their homeland like a garden in springtime. The prophet forecasts a population explosion. More insight is in the commentary section.
Witness the Splendor of Zion's Glorious Restoration
Isaiah 60:1
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
Rise in splendor clothed in light—they were called upon to rise from the depression in which they had been held. Zion was the recipient and the reflector of God’s light.
Cross References
- Luk 1:78-79 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
- Luk 2:32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. Read: Isa 9:2
Isaiah 60:2
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.
Similar to the dark ages—their mind was darkened—the whole world was walking in darkness, they were alienated from God and had no true knowledge of the LORD. Their foolish heart was darkened because of the blindness of their heart. The light of the word of God brought enlightenment.
Cross References
- Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
- Eph 4:17-18 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Read: Act 26:18; 2Co 4:4-6
Isaiah 60:3
And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
Rays of light flowed from Zion—kings from other nations paid them a visit and brought gifts.
Cross References
- Psa 68:29 Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.
- Rev 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Isaiah 60:4
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.
Their grand and great grandchildren were brought home by their captors.
Cross References
- Isa 49:20-22 The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, shall say again in thine ears, The place is too strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell. Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where had they been? Thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.
Isaiah 60:5
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.
They will be thrilled when their relatives are returned like the flow of a mighty stream—the sea shall be converted unto thee meaning that their relatives who had been sold on the slave market were now returning to Zion along with the wealth of other nations.
Cross References
- Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. Read: Act 10:45; Isa 24:15
Isaiah 60:6
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 shew forth the praises of the LORD.
Caravans and traders from Sheba, which was renown for wealth, and incense, and gold from Midian. They came with gifts, trade, and praise.
Cross References
- 1Ki 10:2 And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart. Read: Isa 45:14; Mal 1:11
Isaiah 60:7
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.
Flocks from Kedar will be brought by the tribal leaders and offered in sacrifice at Jerusalem.
Cross References
- Hag 2:7-9 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts. The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts. Read: Isa 56:7
Isaiah 60:8
Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?
Ships are going to roll into port like clouds—their sails resemble fast moving clouds, and birds returning to their roosts.
Cross References
- Luk 13:29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
- Rev 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
Isaiah 60:9
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.
These vessels assembling from coast lands and islands led by the ships from Spain will bring your sons and daughters, silver and gold and other precious cargo for trade and all because God has glorified Israel.
Cross References
- Isa 66:19-20 And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles. And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.
- Zep 2:11 The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen.
Isaiah 60:10
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.
Sons of foreigners with their building skills will help build their walls—kings will wait on you. I struck you down now I am lifting you up.
Cross References
- Isa 61:5 And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.
- Ezr 6:3-12 In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem... Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this. And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.
Isaiah 60:11
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.
The gates shall be open continually means that they were closed at night for protection and opened in the day for visitors and trade. See the books of Nehemiah and Ezra for the building of these gates and how they were guarded.
Cross References
- Dan 2:35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together... and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.
- Dan 2:44-45 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed...
Isaiah 60:12
For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.
Cyrus, king of Persia, made a decree that bullocks, rams, lambs, wheat, salt, wine, oil, and tribute be brought to the Jews that were rebuilding Jerusalem and in the decree declared that any nation refusing to do so would be destroyed. This decree is found in Ezra 6:3-12. Quoted in verse ten.
Cross References
- Pro 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
- Ezr 7:27 Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem:
Isaiah 60:13
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.
Cyrus gave orders to the forester in charge of the forests of Lebanon to supply all the materials necessary for this rebuilding project.
Cross References
- Isa 35:2 It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.
- Hos 14:6-7 His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon. They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.
Isaiah 60:14
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.
The tables are turned—masters became servants—Zion is no longer despised but called “the city of the LORD.”
Cross References
- Isa 62:12 And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.
- Isa 14:1-2 For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob...
Isaiah 60:15
Whereas thou has been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations.
This land and city had been an animal sanctuary while they were in exile. Now they were a joy to Jacob and the pride to other nations.
Cross References
- Jer 33:11 The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness... For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.
- Lam 1:1-2 How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! how is she become as a widow! she that was great among the nations...
Isaiah 60:16
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.
The term suck the milk of Gentiles, and suck the breast of kings is figurative language, representing the great wealth that would come to them.
Cross References
- Isa 66:11-12 That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory...
Isaiah 60:17
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.
They would barter brass for gold, iron for silver, wood for brass, and stones for iron. They were importing and exporting the aforementioned items.
Isaiah 60:18
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 news of the day will not be violence nor ruin and wreck of your borders. Your walls will be named salvation and your gates praises.
Cross References
- Psa 72:3-4 The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness...
- Mic 4:3 And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off...
Isaiah 60:19
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.
Your days of mourning will end—grieving has come to an end—you are a permanent possession in the land and your sun will never go down and your moon will never fade. You will be walking in God’s sunlight all of your journey.
Cross References
- Psa 36:9 For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
- Rev 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
- Luk 2:32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
Isaiah 60:20
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.
From a poetical standpoint the prophets saw God as their sun and shield and a fountain of water.
Cross References
- Psa 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
- Mal 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings...
- Isa 30:19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more...
- Isa 35:10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads... Read: Rev 7:15-17
Isaiah 60:21
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.
My people shall live right and do good and the land shall always be theirs. I have planted them back in their homeland and they will grown up like plants in a garden.
Cross References
- Zec 14:20-21 In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD...
- Isa 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes... that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Isaiah 60:22
A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time.
It would be a time of population explosion for Jacob.
Cross References
- Isa 66:8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.
- Rev 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;