Isaiah 60 is phenomenal!

One of the greatest chapters so far, in all the Isaiah Corpus.

For this reason, I plan to invest several Lessons covering these 22 verses. All of which are well worth studying.

But for today, just verse 1.

“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.” This was one of my “memory verses” as a boy, back when we were taught to “hide” God’s Word in our hearts.

I guess that Statement (a compound sentence) could be made by everyone who has ever been saved, in a sense.

The “Light” came to me, for sure!

God’s “Glory” arose!

Both Terms being names/titles for Jesus Christ my Saviour!

But “in context” (in its proper, overall setting in the Book of Isaiah) the verse refers to the little nation of Israel. Maybe even to Jerusalem particularly.

One commentary I noticed says the verse heads a chapter mostly concerned with “Zion’s Glory.” Remember Isaiah 59:20 … “The Redeemer shall come to ZION.”

Upcoming verse 14 also says: “… and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The ZION of the Holy One of Israel.”

Wow!

The Text again: “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.”

God’s “Glory” is well defined as “the sum total of all His Essence, His Attributes!” His Mega-Majesty … visible to human sight!

And God’s Glory in Scripture generally “radiates” Light, great Light! As in the future New Jerusalem … “And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them LIGHT: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 22:5

In view of such great Jesus “Light” and “Glory” … what is Israel to do?

“Arise!”

No longer be lethargic. Get busy for the Lord! The command also has the inherent idea of being “established, confirmed” in what one believes and does.

But also “shine!”

Certainly implying that God’s Light is so influential, so penetrating … that we share in its luminosity!

It (He) changes us!

Recall 2 Corinthians 3:18 here. “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, ARE CHANGED into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

In conclusion …

Two clear imperatives … “arise” and “shine” … duties which are resultant upon God’s Glory coming to mankind, to lost souls.

Oh Jerusalem, what a “bright” future you have … all because of Jesus!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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