Isaiah
60 reminds me of my youth, but it is really the story of my present.
I was small and shy and tried to hide, never standing out from the
crowd. One person had an impact on my life. He made me reluctantly
stand in public and ultimately accept my responsibility. Isaiah is
speaking of the tiny nation of Israel at a time before Babylonian
captivity but he is also talking about a time yet to come. He
begins, “Arise,
shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD rises upon you… darkness covers the
earth… but
the LORD rises upon you and His glory appears over you“.
Can you see the nation scrunching down in their seat and asking,
“Who me?”. He continues, “Nations
will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn“.
This country surrounded by enemies, weak and scared hears the prophet
speak words that seem impossible. “Lift
up your eyes and look… All assemble and come to you … you will
look and be radiant… and swell with joy“.
I’m sure they thought, “Coach, you have the wrong guy”. But
Isaiah continues, “bearing gold
and incense and
proclaiming the praise of the
LORD… and I will adorn My glorious temple… bringing your children
from afar, with their silver and gold, to the honor of the LORD your
God“. Did you know God can
use you too?
Isaiah
talks of regathering and rebuilding God’s chosen nation,
“Foreigners will rebuild your
walls, and their kings will serve you“.
And he describes God’s discipline, “in
anger I struck you, in favor I will show you compassion… Your gates
will always stand open, they will never be shut“.
God makes Israel a promise, “The
nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be
utterly ruined“. I believe
this is literal, nations that stand with Israel and the God of Israel
will be blessed. Isaiah explains both, “The
children of your oppressors”
and “all who despise you“,
“will bow down at your feet“.
God makes it clear, “Although
you have been… hated… I
will make you the everlasting pride and the joy of all generations“.
God explains His motivation, “Then
you will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior, your Redeemer“.
How did Israel miss Christ as their
Redeemer? Isaiah also spoke about the second coming. Jesus first
came as a sacrifice for our sin, but He will return to reclaim the
earth. This is what many of the Jews were expecting of Messiah, “I
will make peace your governor and well-being your ruler… No longer
will violence be heard in your land“.
They were looking for an earthly king to crush the Romans, but
instead He was hung on the cross. Isaiah closes with the kingdom
that will be established, “The
sun will no more be your light by day… the LORD will be your
everlasting light… Your sun will never set again… and your days
of sorrow will end“. He
describes that day, “Then all
your people will be righteous and they will possess the land
forever“. So what of today?
What about the meantime? In Acts chapter 2, Peter (who had been
hiding just days earlier) told all the people of Jerusalem, “You…
put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross. But God raised Him from
the dead… God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord
and Messiah… Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name
of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit“.
People will see the reflection of the God of Salvation in you, “the
shoot I have planted, the work of My hands, for the display of My
splendor“. Will you stand and
accept your role and reflect His mercy?