This chapter tells us that Zion will be glorified in her New state, that is, the church.
De Hoff, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The glory of the church of our Blessed Lord is outlined in this chapter. The picture is of the city of Zion radiant in the glory of the Palestinian morning with the sun bursting over the highlands while darkness still lingers in the deep valleys. The golden city of Jerusalem is high on the hill for all to see. This highly poetic language pictures to the Jew the glory of the rebuilt Jerusalem and, to all mankind, the glory of the New Testament church’.
It begins by telling that Zion shall be the light for the world, Isaiah 60:1. The light that comes first to Jerusalem, will then go into the world for the salvation of all men, John 8:12. The light first breaks upon the tops of the mountains, but it will go into all the world, Isaiah 60:2.
Darkness may be upon other nations and may rest in the valley but the dawn has now come, Isaiah 60:3 / Galatians 4:26. The light will go from Israel and spread to all humanity, Matthew 28:19-20 / Mark 16:15-16. The Gospel is now preached to both Jew and Gentile.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The birth of Christ did indeed occur at a time of universal spiritual darkness of the human race.’
1. The Gentile nations were sunk in the grossest and most shameful idolatry.
2. The Jewish nation was in no better position, despite their possession of God’s Law, which they had formalized and perverted and by their transgression of it dishonoured God, leading to the blasphemy of God on their account by the whole Gentile world, Romans 2:23-24.
3. The vain philosophy of the Greeks and Romans provided no relief from the awful darkness of that era.
Here we read that all blessings shall be found in Zion, Isaiah 60:4 / Hebrews 10:1. The Gospel is sent out across the land and from the entire world, those that dwell in darkness shall come to Zion, Isaiah 60:4 / Isaiah 2:1-4.
Ellicott, in his commentary, says the following, concerning Isaiah 60:5.
‘The riches of the Western isles, with which the new Jerusalem was to be filled, as Tyre and Zidon had been of old, Ezekiel 27:1-25.’
Dummelow, in his commentary, says the following, concerning Isaiah 60:6-7.
‘The nations are pictured as coming in a long train, to bring their riches for the service of the sanctuary. Ephah, a Midianite tribe, Genesis 25:4. Sheba, Psalms 72:10. Kedar, Isaiah 21:17. Nebaioth a tribe allied to Kedar, descended from Ishmael, Genesis 25:13.’
The ships with sails spread speed over the waters, like doves to their nest, Isaiah 60:8.
Ellicott, in his commentary, says the following, concerning Isaiah 60:8.
‘The vision of the prophet brings before him the cloud-like sails of the ships that. are bringing back the exiles over the Mediterranean and the Red Seas, hastening to their home like doves to their dove-cote, Hosea 11:11.’
The ‘ships of Tarshish’, Isaiah 60:9 / Isaiah 2:16 / 1 Kings 10:22 / 1 Kings 22:48, were deep sea ships which eventually used to carry the Gospel of Christ to distant lands.
Here we read that the government of Zion is universal. As the Old Testament temple was the house of God, the New Testament church is now the Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
Ellicott, in his commentary, says the following, concerning Isaiah 60:10.
‘Either as willing proselytes or as being brought into subjection, Zechariah 6:15. To build the temples or palaces of conquerors was, as in the case of the Egyptian and Babylonian bondage, the almost inevitable lot of the conquered.’
Mercy will replace wrath, Isaiah 60:10, and the gates of the city will continually be opened, Isaiah 60:11 / Revelation 3:7 / Revelation 21:25-26, to receive others, to receive trade and to receive the homage of every nation, Isaiah 60:11. Anyone who doesn’t serve will perish and be destroyed, Isaiah 60:12.
Ellicott, in his commentary, says the following, concerning Isaiah 60:13.
‘The prophet sees in the new Jerusalem a revival of the glories of the days of Solomon. The cedars of Lebanon, and other trees of the forest, are to furnish timber for its buildings, or even to be planted in the courts of the Temple, or in its open places and streets, Psalms 52:8 / Psalms 92:12-13 / Isaiah 35:2.’
Those who once despised Israel would pay homage to her, Isaiah 60:14.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘People represented here as bowing down to the soles of the feet of the Old Israel is fulfilled in the person of the Ideal Israel, who is Jesus Christ. Since Christ is the New Israel, all of his followers being ‘in him’ and part of him, all who worship Christ are, in that act, bowing down to Israel, not to the old, wicked Israel, of course, but to Christ the True Israel. The Biblical confirmation of this principle is seen in Revelation 3:9.’
The new Zion will be glorified beyond imagination, Isaiah 60:15. The city that was once rejected by the nations becomes the focal point of their spiritual interest, Isaiah 60:16. When God does this, then they will know that God is Saviour, their Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob, Isaiah 60:16.
Here we read that wealth would replace poverty, Isaiah 60:17 / Matthew 5:1-9. Justice would be restored, Isaiah 60:17, peace would administrate between the citizens of the city, Isaiah 60:17, and righteousness would oversee all relationships. Injustice would cease between citizens, Isaiah 60:18. The defence of the city would be its salvation and its strength would be the praise of God, Isaiah 60:18.
The Lord is the bright and shining light, Isaiah 60:19, none other is needed, Isaiah 60:20 / Revelation 21:23. Righteousness will dwell within the city, Isaiah 60:21, for all those who are citizens will have submitted to the will of God, Revelation 21:27. In the future, one is spiritually born into the city, Jeremiah 31:31-34 / John 3:1-21.
The ‘land’, Isaiah 60:21, is metaphorical of the eternal possession that the righteous receive upon their obedience to the Gospel. The least of them will become a thousand, Isaiah 60:22, that is, spiritual Israel by faith, the church, would grow far beyond physical Israel. The church will be a strong nation, Isaiah 60:22, and was reminded that God will always keep His promises.