Isaiah Chapter 60
This chapter may intrigue us by the use of many interesting phrases such as
“Multitudes of camels shall cover the land, the dromedaries of Midain and Ephah.”
“All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together.”
“The rams of Nebaith shall minister to you”
“The glory of Lebanon shall come to you, the cypress, the pine and the box tree.”
“the sun shall no longer be your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you”
And we wonder what all these may mean.
If we recall the latter part of chapter 59, the Lord proclaimed that “the Redeemer will come to Zion” and “My Spirit who is upon you”. This we know refers to Jesus our Messiah and the downpour of the Holy Spirit. Hence in this light, chapter 60 should be read as a continuation from the previous chapter. Taking note that the passages should not be read in the literal sense but rather in rhetoric.
In John 1, we see that at the appointed time of God, Jesus (the light of man), brought the long awaited light to the world enveloped in darkness (the sin and depravation of mankind). With this light, He not only gave comfort, hope and warmth, to those who receive Him, He gave them the power to become the sons of God, delivering man doomed to destruction, the grace and blessing of eternal life. Violence, waste (decay and decomposition) and destruction will be a thing of the past. In its place, there will be joy, gladness and growth.
Jesus, our light, is steadfast and sure. An everlasting light and glory, unlike the uncertain and transient hope that man clutches vainly onto in this world, just like the sun and moon that may give us temporal comfort that lasts only for a moment.
The coming of the Messiah also brings great news not only to the chosen people of God, but to all gentiles (all men). Just as God has foretold to Abraham, that through his Seed, all nations shall be blessed. With the coming of the anointed One, the King of Kings, all people of all nations and all races will pay obeisance, as mentioned in Phil 2:10, that at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow.
We the church, as the bride of the Lord, His body, shall also share in the same glory, honour and joy. Thus as Paul made this cry to us in Rom 8:38 – 39, do not let anything separate us from the love of Christ. Let us always abide in Him and never let go.
