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Scott's Reference Library
Isaiah 60:1 through Isaiah 60:6 (NIV)
1 “Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
2 See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the LORD rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
3 Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
4 “Lift up your eyes and look about you:
All assemble and come to you;
your sons come from afar,
and your daughters are carried on the arm.
5 Then you will look and be radiant,
your heart will throb and swell with joy;
the wealth on the seas will be brought to you,
to you the riches of the nations will come.
6 Herds of camels will cover your land,
young camels of Midian and Ephah.
And all from Sheba will come,
bearing gold and incense
and proclaiming the praise of the LORD.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 1-8
As far as we have the knowledge of God in us, and the favour of God towards us,
our light is come. And if God’s glory is seen upon us to our honour, we ought,
not only with our lips, but in our lives, to return its praise. We meet with
nothing in the history of the Jews which can be deemed a fulfilment of the
prophecy in this chapter; we must conclude it relates principally to future
events. It predicts the purity and enlargement of the church. The conversion of
souls is here described. They fly to Christ, to the church, to the word and
ordinances, as doves to their own home; thither they fly for refuge and shelter,
thither they fly for rest. What a pleasant sight to see poor souls hastening to
Christ!
VERSES 9-14
God will be very gracious. We must begin with his promise, thence all mercies
take rise. Many shall be brought into the church, even from far countries.
Christ is always ready to receive all who come to him; and the gate of mercy is
always open, night and day. All that are about the church shall be made
serviceable to it. But those who will not be subject to Christ’s golden sceptre,
to his word and Spirit, who will not be kept in by the laws and rules of his
family, shall be broken in pieces by his iron rod. The peculiar advantages of
every nation, and of every description of men, shall join to beautify the church
of Christ. We must suppose this to be accomplished in the beauties of holiness,
and the graces and comforts of the Spirit, with which gospel ordinances are
adorned and enriched. Blessed be his name, the gates of Zion are ever open to
returning sinners.
VERSES 15-22
We must look for the full accomplishment in times and things, exceeding those of
the Old Testament church. The nations and their kings shall lay themselves out
for the good of the church. Such a salvation, such a redemption, shall be
wrought out for thee, as discovers itself to be the work of the Lord. Every
thing shall be changed for the better. In thy land shall no more be heard
threats of those that do violence, nor complaints of those that suffer violence.
Thy walls shall be means of safety, thy gates shall be written upon with praises
to God. In the close of this chapter are images and expressions used in the
description of the New Jerusalem, Revelation 21:23; 22:5. Nothing can answer to
this but some future glorious state of the church on earth, or the state of the
church triumphant in heaven. Those that make God their only light, shall have
him their all-sufficient light. And the happiness shall know no change or alloy.
No people on earth are all righteous; but there are no mixtures in heaven. They
shall be wholly righteous. The spirits of just men shall there be made perfect.
The glory of the church shall be to the honour of God. When it shall be
finished, it will appear a work of wonder. It may seem too difficult to be
brought about, but the God of almighty power has undertaken it. It may seem to
be delayed and put off; but the Lord will hasten it in the time appointed by his
wisdom, though not in the time prescribed by our folly. Let this hope cheer us
under all difficulties, and stir us up to all diligence, that we may have an
abundant entrance into this everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ.