Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryIsaiah 60

Arise, shine. Isaiah here proceeds to describe a glorious work to be accomplished by Israel, on the assumption that a reformation, in harmony with ch. 58:6–14, has taken place. Chapters 60–62 describe this great work. Such was the divine plan for ancient Israel. But as a nation they failed in the work of reformation within, and God was unable, therefore, to deliver them from their enemies without or to make them His agents in bringing salvation to the Gentiles (see pp. 26–30). Accordingly, the covenant privileges and responsibilities were transferred to spiritual Israel. Hence, the bright picture of the glorious triumph of the gospel outlined in chs. 60– 62 clearly belongs to God’s people today (see pp. 35, 36). Thy light. Light was ever a symbol of the divine presence (DA 464; see on Gen. 3:24). Christ came to earth as the light of life (John 1:4, 5; 3:19; 8:12; 9:5; 12:35, 36, 46; see on Isa. 9:2). Those who received Him and believed on His name (John 1:9, 12) were, in turn, to let their light shine forth in glory to God (see on Matt. 5:14–16; 1 Peter 2:9). Before the return of Christ the gospel message is to be proclaimed with such power that the whole earth will be ablaze with the light of truth (Rev. 18:1).

Ellen G. White

Darkness. That is, spiritual darkness (see on ch. 9:2). Men have ever tended to love “darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). The world is dark with a misunderstanding of God and His love. Evil men cannot comprehend good in others. They fail to recognize the light of heaven when it shines upon them (John 1:5, 10, 11). His glory. It is the reflected light of God’s glory that is to “be seen” upon God’s people. When men seek honor for themselves they eclipse the glory of God. When they are willing to efface self and to let God have first place in their hearts and in their lives

Nichol, F. D. (1978). The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary : The Holy Bible with exegetical and expository comment. Commentary Reference Series (Is 52:14). Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association.

His glory can be seen in them. For the way in which the glory of God was to have been seen on ancient Israel see pp. 27–30.

Ellen G. White

The Gentiles shall come. The reflection of the divine character through Israel, together with the manifest blessing of Heaven upon them as a nation, was to have attracted the Gentiles and convinced them of the superiority of the worship and service of Jehovah (see pp. 28–30; cf. ch. 49:6, 22). In the providence of God this promise is to be fulfilled to the church in our day (see pp. 35, 36; see on v. 1). And kings. The glory of God revealed in His people and church will attract not only the humble but the great men of earth. Even kings will be drawn to the light streaming forth from Zion (see chs. 49:23; 52:15).

Lift up thine eyes. God summons Israel to behold the glorious prospect depicted in vs. 1–3. The church today should raise its eyes from its usual round of activity in order to catch a glimpse of the hour of destiny soon to come, and having done so, set earnestly about the task of preparing for it. Thy daughters. The last clause of v. 4 reads literally, “your daughters shall be tended at [your] side.”

Flow together. Heb. nahar, which also means “to beam [with joy].” The context favors this meaning. Fear. Literally, “tremble,” that is, with joy (see Jer. 33:9). Israel would thrill at the realization of her glorious destiny. Dead Sea scroll 1QIs omits the word translated “fear.” The abundance of the sea. An allusion to the international sea trade of Isaiah’s day, which brought wealth to those who engaged in it. The forces. Heb. chel, “wealth.” Converted Gentiles would make generous contributions to advance and thus hasten the proclamation of the gospel (see p. 29).

The multitude of camels. The previous verse refers to “wealth” coming by sea. Here caravans, commerce by land, are pictured. Midian. A region in the desert of Arabia (see on Ex. 2:15). Ephah. A Midianite tribe (Gen. 25:4; 1 Chron. 1:33), and here the region they inhabited. Sheba. Probably a reference to a region in southern Arabia (Gen. 10:7, 28). Compare the visit of the queen of Sheba to Solomon (1 Kings 10:1–10). In Matt. 12:42 she is called “the queen of the south.” The psalmist foretold a time when the kings of Sheba would offer gifts to Israel’s glorious king (Ps. 72:10, 11).

Kedar. Kedar and Nebaioth were sons of Ishmael who settled in the Arabian Desert (Gen. 25:13). The people of the regions here named were noted for their cattle and camels (Judges 6:5). Acceptance on mine altar. The gifts of the Gentiles would be accepted by the Lord in token of the fact that He also accepted them personally. Isaiah again pictures a great ingathering of souls from foreign lands (see on v. 1).

Fly as a cloud. The figure changes, and the Gentiles gathering to Jerusalem are pictured as great flocks of birds.

The isles. That is, “the coastlands.” Distant peoples would acknowledge the message of God’s grace (see on ch. 42:4). Today multitudes in all parts of the earth wistfully look upward, anxiously longing for the hope and peace that only the gospel can bring to their troubled hearts.

Ships of Tarshish. Ships used in the metal trade (see on ch. 2:16). The psalmist foretold a time when “the kings of Tarshish and of the isles” would “bring presents” to Israel’s king (Ps. 72:10). Their silver. In speaking of the coming of “the desire of all nations,” Haggai declared that all the silver and the gold belong to the Lord (Haggai 2:7, 8). The psalmist foresaw kings bringing their presents to the Temple (Ps. 68:29–31). See on Isa. 60:5. Men who are truly converted bring to God their richest treasures.

Sons of strangers. That is, Gentiles (see on ch. 56:6). Build up thy walls. In ancient times city walls afforded protection and represented the strength of the city. Thus, to “build up” the walls of Zion meant to increase the strength of the city. The Gentiles would assist the Jews in the proclamation of the gospel. I smote thee. A reference to the Babylonian captivity (see on ch. 54:7).

Open continually. City gates were closed at night as a safety measure. Gates open at night would thus imply peace and security. However, as here stated, the chief reason for leaving them open at night would be to accommodate the endless procession of Gentiles coming up to Jerusalem to present their gifts to the Lord in token of their love and devotion. Forces. See on v. 5. Brought. Or, “led in procession” (RSV). Gentile monarchs would approach Jerusalem in regal splendor, accompanied by their servants and courtiers (cf. Rev. 21:24).

The nation. “Those nations that rejected the worship and service of the true God were to be dispossessed. … As the numbers of Israel increased they were to enlarge their borders, until their kingdom should embrace the world” (COL 290; see pp. 28–30). The failure of Israel to cooperate with God’s plan for them as a nation made impossible the fulfillment of this picture. In principle, however, it will be realized by the church today, in the glorious triumph of the gospel and the return of Jesus to this earth (see pp. 35, 36). Eventually the God of heaven will “set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed” and which will “break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms” (Dan. 2:44; cf. Dan. 7:27; Rev. 11:15).

The glory of Lebanon. Lebanon was noted for its beauty, particularly for its tall cedars. Cedars of Lebanon had been used in Solomon’s Temple (Kings 5:6–10), but Isaiah foresaw a new temple that would surpass it in glory. Ezekiel was given detailed instructions for the erection of this new temple, which, however, was never built (see Eze. 40 to 44). The fir. For the trees here listed see on ch. 41:19. Place of my feet. Zion is said to be the Lord’s “footstool” (1 Chron. 28:2; Ps. 99:5).

Come bending. That is, in voluntary submission the nations would acknowledge the infinite superiority of those who loved and served the true God (see pp. 28, 29). Compare ch. 62:4, 5, 7, 11.

Thou hast been forsaken. See on ch. 54:7, 8. Like a forsaken wife, Zion has become an object of scorn and reproach to all her neighbors (see Lam. 2:15). She would, however, be restored to her former position and again become the delight of the Lord (Isa. 62:4). Had Israel proved faithful to God, Jerusalem would have stood forever, the glorious metropolis of the earth (DA 577; GC 19).

The milk. Isaiah introduces another figure for the wealth and resources of the Gentiles, which would flow to Jerusalem in a steady stream (see on vs. 5–7, 11).

Compare chs. 49:23; 61:6; 66:12. Upon leaving Egypt the children of Israel were to receive gifts from their erstwhile masters (see on Ex. 3:22). Upon their return from Babylonian captivity the Jews received voluntary gifts of silver and gold from their neighbors and friends, and also from the royal treasury (Ezra 1:6; 7:15, 16, 21–23). Thou shalt know. See on Eze. 6:7.

For brass. As gold was of far greater value than brass, and silver more precious than iron, so the Lord would increase the wealth of Israel (see p. 28). Anything they gave up in sacrifice for Him would eventually be amply repaid. Whatever we devote to the service of God will be repaid beyond our fondest expectations (see on Eccl. 11:1; Matt. 19:29). Thy officers. The leaders of Israel would be men of “peace.” The word “peace” is no doubt here used in its broad sense of general well-being. The leaders of Israel would lead it on to success and prosperity. Exactors. Heb. nogeśim, which in the plural, as here, means “authorities.” Righteousness. Heb. ṣedeq, which sometimes means “success.” Governmental policy would be in harmony with divine principles, and therefore successful.

Violence. The thought of v. 17 is continued. Instead of oppression, brutality, and strife (see ch. 59:3–15), principles of brotherly love, benevolence, and mutual consideration would rule. Thy walls Salvation. The presence and blessing of God will be Jerusalem’s best walls and bulwarks (see Zech. 2:5), and acclamations of praise and thanksgiving will replace gates and bars. See Isa. 26:1–3.

No more. The sun will not cease to exist when the earth is restored, but the city will no longer need it (Rev. 21:23; 22:5). Everlasting light. All Hebrew words following this phrase up to and including the same words in v. 20 are missing in Dead Sea scroll 1QIs. This is a clear case of a frequently occurring scribal error, called homoeoteleuton. The eye of the scribe unwittingly switched from the first occurrence of this repeated phrase to the second, and thus missed all the words between. The Dead Sea scroll 1QIs has this passage.

Thine everlasting light. As long as man is in this world there is alternate sunshine and shadow, light and darkness, laughter and tears. But in the Holy City God will be the constant light and joy of His people. See on v. 1. Thy mourning. See on ch. 59:9–11.

All righteous. Righteousness is the personal goal for each of God’s people. In the new earth the ideal of Ps. 15; 24:3–5 will be realized. It will be a world “wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13), because all its inhabitants are righteous. Sorrow will be no more, because there is no more sin (see Rev. 21:27). Compare also Isa. 52:1; Zech. 14:16. Inherit the land. The promises made to the fathers will be fulfilled in due time (see Gen. 12:7; Dan. 7:18; Matt. 5:5; Rev. 21:3, 4, 7). The branch. The “men of Judah” were God’s “pleasant plant” (Isa. 5:2, 7; cf. Isa. 29:23; Eph. 2:10). His likeness is imparted to His people, and His law is placed within their hearts (Jer. 31:33, 34). Gradually they are to grow up into His likeness and “be like him” (1 John 3:2; cf. Eph. 4:15). The Hebrew word neṣer, “branch,” “sprout,” “shoot,” is omitted in the Dead Sea scroll 1QIs.

A little one. Meaning, “an insignificant person.” Become a thousand. That is, “become [a group, or clan, numbering] a thousand.” Compare ch. 54:1–3. Christ compared the kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed that became a great tree (Mark 4:31, 32).