Because the “Redeemer will come to Zion” (59:20), Jerusalem has a bright future. Chapter 60 gives an extended celebration of the shining future that awaits “the City of the Lord, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel (14). Here we read a preview of God’s good and glorious plan for Jerusalem and His people.
In contrast to the “thick darkness” that will cover the earth and its peoples, Jerusalem will shine with the brilliant “glory of the Lord” (1). The Lord Himself will “arise” and light up Zion so that “his glory will be seen” (2).
Jerusalem, in stunned amazement, will see blessings streaming its way. It’s scattered, exiled children (“sons” and “daughters”) will be escorted home (“carried on the hip”—4). Ships loaded with “the wealth of the nations” will sail its way (5). Caravans of camels from Midian and Ephah and Sheba (lands to the south) will arrive with treasures of “gold and frankincense”; what’s more, they will bring “good news, the praises of the Lord” (6). Flocks of sheep and rams will be herded to Jerusalem from “Kedar” (land to the east), providing abundant and acceptable sacrifices for the “altar” and making God’s “house” radiant with beauty: “I will beautify my beautiful house” (7).
This influx of people and their possessions headed towards Jerusalem will evidence a spiritual turning in the hearts of kings and countries. The nations will fly “like a cloud” and like “doves to their windows” to hasten to Zion (8). The ends of the earth (“coastlands”) shall “hope” for the “name of the Lord” because “he has made you [Jerusalem] beautiful” (9).
The broken-down walls of the city will be rebuilt by “foreigners” (10), an evidence of the Lord’s “favor” and “mercy” upon the city He had struck down in His wrath (10). While the walls will be built up, they no longer will be needed to keep Jerusalem secure. In fact, the city “gates shall be open continually, day and night they shall not be shut” (11). In this way, the kings and people of the earth my “bring to you the wealth of the nations” (11). In fact, any nation that refuses to serve God’s people “shall perish” and be “laid waste” (12).
More than being study and secure, Jerusalem will become beautiful. The glory of Lebanon—it’s forests, will be once again brought to Jerusalem (as in the days of Solomon—1 Kings 5:6) to “beautify” the place of God’s sanctuary (13).
The descendants of Israel’s oppressors will now come and “bow down” in humility, confessing that Jerusalem is indeed “the City of the Lord, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel” (14). No longer “forsaken and hated”, the rebuilt and beautified city will be “majestic forever, a joy from age to age” (15). Treated with compassion and care by surrounding nations (“you shall nurse at the breast of kings”—16), the people in Jerusalem will know that the Lord, the “Mighty One of Jacob” is their “Savior” and “Redeemer” (16).
Continuing with the glorious theme of the restored city, The Lord promises to upgrade the gifts brought to Jerusalem from bronze to gold, from iron to silver, from wood to bronze, and from stone to iron (17). Instead of being ruled by oppressive, foreign powers, the Lord will now install “peace” (shalom) as the overseer of the city and “righteousness” as its “taskmasters” (18). No longer will the violence and destruction that has marked Jerusalem’s history be part of its future (18). The rebuilt walls will now be tangible reminders of God’s “salvation” and their restored (but open!) gates will be prompts for “praise” (18).
But there’s more! The restored city will now shine with the glory of God’s presence! “The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light; but the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory” (19). The Hebrew word translated “glory” carries the sense of splendor and beauty. God’s permanent presence will bring a glorious beautify to the city a never-ending bright day, filled with joy undimmed by mourning: “for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended” (20).
The result of the restoration of the city and presence of the Lord Himself will be a spiritually transformed people: “Your people shall all be righteous” (21). Never again will they be driven from the land due to their sinfulness; instead, “they shall possess the land forever” (21). Because it will be clear that this is the Lord’s doing (“the work of my hands”—21), He will get the glory (“that I might be glorified”—21). The city will be prosperous and plenteous (“the least one shall become a clan, and the smallest one a mighty nation”—22). All this will happen because the Lord promises to bring it to reality: “I am the Lord; it its time I will hasten it” (22).
Behold Your God
The Lord has stunning plans for the city of Jerusalem. While Jerusalem has known horrific destruction, its story will not end in rubble and ashes. The Lord promises to make it “majestic forever, a joy from age to age” (15). He promises it would be rebuilt, repopulated and resplendent. A century after Isaiah wrote these words, the Babylonian armies would decimate the city and deport the survivors. But the Lord would bring His people home (4, 9) and the walls would be rebuilt with foreign funds (10; Nehemiah 1-6). However, this was only a preview of the ultimate restoration and recreation of the Holy City. Revelation 21-22 pick up on many of the themes from Isaiah 61 to describe the New Jerusalem: glorious walls (21:11-14), gates that never close (21:25), brilliant radiance and splendor (21: 11), royal visitors bringing gifts (21:24), no need for the sun or moon (22:5). In the new heavens and earth, Jerusalem will radiate the glory of God.
The chief glory of the new Jerusalem will be the presence of God. What sets Jerusalem apart and makes it glorious is more than its rebuilt city walls and gates. The glory of the Lord fills the city with His radiance (1-2). The Lord makes the city His dwelling place (“the place of my feet”—13). His glory provides light for the city surpassing the sun or moon (20). As John explains in Revelation 21:22, He becomes the Temple: “And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb.”
The Lord displays His glory and beauty upon and through His people. Jerusalem and its people shine with glory that is not innately their own: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you” (1). Isaiah announces to Jerusalem (both place and people) wondrous news: “his glory will be seen upon you” (2); “your God will be your glory” (19). They because beautifully glorious (the Hebrew פָּאַר stem has both connotations) to showcase the Lord’s glory and beauty: “that I might be glorified (or “display my beauty”—21).
The Lord draws kings and peoples to Himself. From the ends of the earth (“coastlands”—9), kings and their peoples stream towards Jerusalem bearing gifts (5-7, 11-12). Those who refuse to come are “utterly laid waste” (12). However, those who choose to come are welcomed in! Here is another reminder that the Lord shines His glory on Israel to bless the nations (Gen. 12:1-3). As Revelation 21:3 anticipates, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people” (literally, “peoples”).
Here Am I
Along with God’s people, I am to display His glory and beauty. Any glory or beauty the Lord bestows on His people ultimately reflects on Him so the He “might be glorified” (21). If the Lord shines His glory on my life, it’s only a reflection on His glory and beauty. Therefore, I must not seek my own glory or embezzle His (Prov. 25:27). We exist by and for His glory.
Even as the world grows dark, I can look towards a bright future. God’s plan for His people is stunning and glorious. He has promised to rebuild Jerusalem so that is shines with His glory (2) and is “majestic forever” (15; Rev. 21-22). So even though a “thick darkness” covers the world, God’s people shine bright and anticipate a bright future. We know how the story ends—and the ending is glorious!
I stand amazed at how the Bible flows and fits together. The more I study Isaiah, the more I see how New Testament writers address and amply the key themes of the book. The vision of the coming child (7:14) who will both suffer (Isaiah 53) and reign (9:6) prepares us perfectly for the ministry of Christ. The glorious future vision of a restored Jerusalem (60:1-22) fits wonderfully into John’s vision of the new Jerusalem in the new heavens and earth (Rev. 21-22). The Bible is both many books (66 books) and One Book centered on God’s glory and saving work through His suffering, sovereign Servant—the Lord Jesus Christ.
Rick and Linda Reed 