Isaiah 60:1-5
And nations shall come to your light,and kings to the brightness of your rising. – Isaiah 60:3
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The Lord spoke to His people through the prophet Isaiah, saying, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you” (v. 1). God’s earlier promise was finally being fulfilled. “A Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression” (59:20). This was the moment when the people of Israel would be brought out of darkness and despair into light and hope.
Just before this, Isaiah described the condition of God’s people: “Their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; desolation and destruction are in their highways. The way of peace they do not know, and there is no justice in their paths…” (59:7–8). Their ways were utterly contrary to the will of God. Without God’s intervention and redemption, they would be doomed to eternal ruin.
Yet into this deep darkness, God promises, “For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and His glory will be seen upon you” (v. 2). God’s glory, as in the days of the Exodus (Exodus 10:23), would shine uniquely upon Zion marking the beginning of the end of the world’s darkness (Isaiah 9:2). Through Zion, this glory would extend to the nations: “And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising” (v. 3). This was the fulfilment of God’s promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:3). The lives of God’s people who were once walking against His ways would be completely transformed.
When we fail to take God seriously, when our self becomes larger than God, our lives inevitably drift away from His will. Whether in daily decisions, within society and nations, in tragic events, or in wars around the world, we witness countless examples of humanity moving against the Creator’s intentions. When we see too much of this, do we feel helpless or numb? Our Lord Jesus warned, “Because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12).
During this Advent season, let us remind one another: although darkness seems to cover the earth and thick darkness the peoples, the Lord says, “The LORD will arise upon you, and His glory will be seen upon you.” Advent points us to what the risen Christ will accomplish in the future. He will judge and defeat all wickedness. Advent celebrates God’s promise that Christ will one day end everything that opposes the Father’s will. The resurrection of Jesus was the first and decisive sign that the power of death has been destroyed. It is the beginning, pointing toward the fullness that is to come. With this understanding, we are moved to give thanks for the Father’s gift of the incarnate Christ and to rejoice in Christmas truly.
“Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip” (v. 4). Isaiah paints a beautiful picture: both the nations and the sons and daughters of Zion together form the people of God. No distance, no physical limitation can prevent them from coming home to the Shepherd’s fold and to the Father’s embrace. They are people who carry a glorious hope.
Reflection:
The Israelites were once trapped in sin, living in darkness and despair until God intervened and saved them. Has your faith journey ever experienced something similar? Where are you today? Take some time to reflect and pray for yourself.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, You see how humanity continually turns away from Your will, yet Your love for the world never changes. Your eyes have never turned away from us, and You never slumber. Thank You for Your intervention and Your salvation. Thank You for allowing me to walk in Your light, with a glorious hope. Guard my thoughts and my steps, that I may follow the Lord Jesus closely all my life. Make me a useful vessel for You, displaying Your beauty and bringing blessing to others. In the victorious name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
Click to Read
The Lord spoke to His people through the prophet Isaiah, saying, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you” (v. 1). God’s earlier promise was finally being fulfilled. “A Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression” (59:20). This was the moment when the people of Israel would be brought out of darkness and despair into light and hope.
Just before this, Isaiah described the condition of God’s people: “Their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; desolation and destruction are in their highways. The way of peace they do not know, and there is no justice in their paths…” (59:7–8). Their ways were utterly contrary to the will of God. Without God’s intervention and redemption, they would be doomed to eternal ruin.
Yet into this deep darkness, God promises, “For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and His glory will be seen upon you” (v. 2). God’s glory, as in the days of the Exodus (Exodus 10:23), would shine uniquely upon Zion marking the beginning of the end of the world’s darkness (Isaiah 9:2). Through Zion, this glory would extend to the nations: “And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising” (v. 3). This was the fulfilment of God’s promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:3). The lives of God’s people who were once walking against His ways would be completely transformed.
When we fail to take God seriously, when our self becomes larger than God, our lives inevitably drift away from His will. Whether in daily decisions, within society and nations, in tragic events, or in wars around the world, we witness countless examples of humanity moving against the Creator’s intentions. When we see too much of this, do we feel helpless or numb? Our Lord Jesus warned, “Because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12).
During this Advent season, let us remind one another: although darkness seems to cover the earth and thick darkness the peoples, the Lord says, “The LORD will arise upon you, and His glory will be seen upon you.” Advent points us to what the risen Christ will accomplish in the future. He will judge and defeat all wickedness. Advent celebrates God’s promise that Christ will one day end everything that opposes the Father’s will. The resurrection of Jesus was the first and decisive sign that the power of death has been destroyed. It is the beginning, pointing toward the fullness that is to come. With this understanding, we are moved to give thanks for the Father’s gift of the incarnate Christ and to rejoice in Christmas truly.
“Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip” (v. 4). Isaiah paints a beautiful picture: both the nations and the sons and daughters of Zion together form the people of God. No distance, no physical limitation can prevent them from coming home to the Shepherd’s fold and to the Father’s embrace. They are people who carry a glorious hope.
Reflection:
The Israelites were once trapped in sin, living in darkness and despair until God intervened and saved them. Has your faith journey ever experienced something similar? Where are you today? Take some time to reflect and pray for yourself.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, You see how humanity continually turns away from Your will, yet Your love for the world never changes. Your eyes have never turned away from us, and You never slumber. Thank You for Your intervention and Your salvation. Thank You for allowing me to walk in Your light, with a glorious hope. Guard my thoughts and my steps, that I may follow the Lord Jesus closely all my life. Make me a useful vessel for You, displaying Your beauty and bringing blessing to others. In the victorious name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.