Isaiah 60
Summary for Isa 60:1-3: 60:1-3 a God will come to be with his people and will transform Zion’s destiny from the darkness as black as night caused by sin and judgment.60:3 b The transformation of all nations and mighty kings will be so radical that all kingdoms will take notice and be drawn to God through his people (see also Rev 21:24 c).
Summary for Isa 60:5-7: 60:5-7 d Zion’s losses from warfare will be restored by the wealth of many lands; foreign nations will be eager to make a contribution (60:11 e; 61:6 f; 66:12 g; see Rev 21:26 h).
60:6 i Midian and Ephah were Midianite tribes located southeast of Israel.
• Sheba was a region in southern Arabia (see 1 Kgs 10:1-2 j) famed for frankincense (Jer 6:20 k).
• These were real nations—the restoration would be a historical reality, not just an idealistic vision. Many nations would submit themselves to and worship the Lord.
60:7 l Kedar was a tribe in Arabia (21:16-17 m).
• Nebaioth was an Ishmaelite tribe.
• I will make my Temple glorious: The glory of God will be even more evident than it was in Solomon’s Temple (see 6:1-5 n; Hag 2:9 o; Rev 21:11 p, 22 q).
60:9 r filled you with splendor: See Rev 21:26 s.
Summary for Isa 60:10-16: 60:10-16 t Those who previously oppressed the people of God will one day participate in restoring the holy city (see 2:2-4 u; 19:18-25 v; Neh 2:8 w; Amos 9:12 x). 60:10 y their kings will serve you: God’s people who were previously humiliated (2:11 z) will be exalted.
60:11 aa There are two likely reasons for why the gates are not closed at night (see also Rev 21:25 ab): (1) So much traffic will be coming into the city (Isa 60:8-10 ac) that the gates will need to be open. (2) The citizens of Zion will no longer need to fear enemies because the Lord is their protector (60:18 ad); the nations that remain will be serving the Lord and his people (60:9 ae, 12 af).
60:12 ag In the coming age, nations that refuse to obey God will be destroyed.
60:13 ah The Temple was God’s sanctuary, the symbol of his presence on earth. Believers now are the temple of God by the indwelling Spirit (1 Cor 3:16 ai). We still await the fullness of God’s presence (Rev 21:22 aj).
60:15 ak beautiful forever, a joy to all generations: This would be radical change from the conditions of the Exile in Babylon. Fulfillments of this prophecy include the Jews’ restoration from exile, the coming of Jesus Christ, and the inclusion of the Gentiles in the church. The final fulfillment awaits the glorious second coming of Jesus Christ, which will usher in the new Jerusalem.
Summary for Isa 60:17-20: 60:17-20 al These verses portray Zion’s future grandeur (cp. Rev 21:10–22:4 am). 60:17 an gold ... silver ... bronze ... iron: These metals are for adornment and strength (cp. 54:11 ao; Rev 21:15-21 ap).
• Peace and righteousness will bring harmony and blessing among people and with God.
60:18 aq praise will be on the lips of all who enter there (literally they will call your gates “praise”): Entrance into the city of salvation will be through the metaphorical gates of praise to the Lord for his great salvation.
Summary for Isa 60:19-20: 60:19-20 ar Natural sources of light such as the sun and the moon will be as nothing in comparison to the brightness of God’s presence (see also 9:2 as; 30:26 at; Zech 2:5 au; Rev 21:23-24 av).
60:21 aw The citizens of Zion will be righteous, enjoying a right relationship with God and with others (Rev 21:27 ax).
• their land: Or the entire earth (Isa 54:5 ay; 62:7 az; 65:17 ba; 66:22 bb).
60:22 bc I, the Lord: The Lord identifies himself as the covenant God of Israel. His identity ensures that he will make it happen (see 27:3-4 bd).
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