Isaiah 60 - Introduction

In this chapter there is commenced a most glowing and beautiful description of the ‘golden age’ under the Messiah. The description is continued to the close of Isaiah 62:1. It is adorned with the highest ornaments of poetry; the future glory of the church is displayed under the most splendid colors, and with every variety of imagery. It is designed to set forth the glory of that time when the Gentries shall be gathered into the church, and when the whole world shall become tributary to the Messiah, and be illuminated with the light of Christian truth. The main design of the chapter is to foretell the conversion of the pagan world, and the happy and peaceful times which shall exist when that has occurred. In doing this, the highest beauties of prophetic imagery are introduced, and the powers of the inspired prophet seem to have been taxed to the utmost to convey a just view of the glory of the scene. That it refers to the time of the Messiah no one can doubt who reads it. And that it refers to events which have not yet fully occurred is, I think, equally clear, and will be made apparent in the notes. In accordance with the usual mede in Isaiah (see the Introduction, Section 7, 4), the prophet throws himself into the midst of the future scene Isaiah 60:1, and the events are described as passing in vision before his eyes. He sees the light as already shining, and the glory of Yahweh as actually arisen upon the church; he sees the Gentiles flocking to the Redeemer, and bringing their most valued and precious objects, and laying them at his feet.

The chapter may, for convenience, be regarded as consisting of three parts:

I. An invocation to the church to arise, and to enjoy and diffuse the light which had risen upon her Isaiah 60:1, the earth elsewhere was enveloped in deep darkness, but the light of Messiah’s reign and of truth was with her.

II. The declaration that the Gentile world would be converted to the true religion, and would participate in the blessings of the reign of the Messiah.

1. The assurance that this event would occur Isaiah 60:3.

2. The church directed to look around, and behold the multitudes that were flocking to her Isaiah 60:4.

3. Specifications of those who would come and participate in the benefits of the reign of the Messiah.

(1) The abundance of the sea would come.

(2) The wealth of the Gentiles Isaiah 60:5.

(3) The camels and dromedaries from Midian, Ephah, and all they who resided in Sheba would come with their gold and incense Isaiah 60:6.

(4) The flocks of Kedar, and the rams of Nebaioth would be offered Isaiah 60:7.

(5) The multitude would be so great as to excite astonishment: and lead to the inquiry who they were. They would come like clouds; they would fly for safety as doves do to their windows in an approaching tempest Isaiah 60:8.

(6) The distant islands - the pagan coasts, would wait for the gospel; and the commerce of the world be made tributary to the spread of truth Isaiah 60:9.

(7) The sons of strangers would be employed in defending Zion, and kings would become the servants of the churchIsaiah 60:10.

4. So great would be the anxiety to embrace the provisions of mercy, and so numerous the converts from the Pagan world, that the gates of Zion would never be closed day or night Isaiah 60:11.

5. The nation that refused this homage would be certainly destroyed Isaiah 60:12.

6. Then follows a beautiful poetical description of the conversion of the Pagan world, and of the fact that the most valued and valuable objects of the Gentiles would be consecrated to the church, under the image of bringing the beautiful trees of Lebanon to adorn the grounds around the temple Isaiah 60:13.

7. Zion would be made an eternal excellency Isaiah 60:15.

8. There would thus be furnished the fullest proof of the faithfulness of God, and of the fact that Yahweh was the Redeemer and Saviour of his people.

III. The happy state of the church in those times.

1. It would be an age when peace and justice would characterize the rulers Isaiah 60:17.

2. Violence, contention, wasting, would be known no more Isaiah 60:18.

3. There would be uninterrupted prosperity, and the constant reign of truth Isaiah 60:19.

4. The people would be all holy Isaiah 60:21.

5. Their numbers would be greatly augmented, as if a small one should become a strong nation Isaiah 60:22.