Isaiah 60:8-22

8 What are these ships that skim along like clouds, Like doves returning home?

9 They are ships coming from distant lands, Bringing God's people home. They bring with them silver and gold To honor the name of the Lord, The holy God of Israel, Who has made all nations honor his people.

10 The Lord says to Jerusalem, "Foreigners will rebuild your walls, And their kings will serve you. In my anger I punished you, But now I will show you my favor and mercy.

11 Day and night your gates will be open, ¹ So that the kings of the nations May bring you their wealth.

12 But nations that do not serve you Will be completely destroyed.

13 "The wood of the pine, the juniper, and the cypress, The finest wood from the forests of Lebanon, Will be brought to rebuild you, Jerusalem, To make my Temple beautiful, To make my city glorious.

14 The descendants of those who oppressed you will come ² And bow low to show their respect. All who once despised you will worship at your feet. They will call you "The City of the Lord,' "Zion, the City of Israel's Holy God.'

15 "You will no longer be forsaken and hated, A city deserted and desolate. I will make you great and beautiful, A place of joy forever and ever.

16 Nations and kings will care for you As a mother nurses her child. You will know that I, the Lord, have saved you, That the mighty God of Israel sets you free.

17 "I will bring you gold instead of bronze, Silver and bronze instead of iron and wood, And iron instead of stone. Your rulers will no longer oppress you; I will make them rule with justice and peace.

18 The sounds of violence will be heard no more; Destruction will not shatter your country again. I will protect and defend you like a wall; You will praise me because I have saved you.

19 "No longer will the sun be your light by day ³ Or the moon be your light by night; I, the Lord, will be your eternal light; The light of my glory will shine on you.

20 Your days of grief will come to an end. I, the Lord, will be your eternal light, More lasting than the sun and moon.

21 Your people will all do what is right, And will possess the land forever. I planted them, I made them, To reveal my greatness to all.

22 Even your smallest and humblest family Will become as great as a powerful nation. When the right time comes, I will make this happen quickly. I am the Lord!"

Isaiah 60:8-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 60

.

As, in the two preceding chapters, the hypocrisy and formality, the profaneness and immorality, that should abound in the latter day, and even among professors of religion, are prophesied of; so, in this, a very ample account is given of latter daylight and glory; of both the spiritual and personal reign of Christ, with the latter of which it concludes. The light and glory of the church, in the spiritual reign, are described, Isa 60:1-3 the numerous conversions of persons to it from all quarters, east and west particularly, are prophesied of, Isa 60:4-8, the great usefulness those should be of unto it, in enriching it, and building it up, and in glorifying it, is declared, Isa 60:9-13, as also the subjection of enemies to it; the favours it should receive from kings, and the fame and renown of it through all nations and ages, Isa 60:14-16, its riches, prosperity, peace, and safety, Isa 60:17,18 and the chapter is concluded with an account of the more perfect state of the church in the personal reign of Christ, when there will be a perfection of light and righteousness; and the number of God's elect will be complete, and they will be all together, Isa 60:19-22.

Cross References

• 1. 60.11Revelation 21.25, 26.
• 2. 60.14Revelation 3.9.
• 3. 60.19Revelation 21.23; 22.5.