Isaiah 60:3

Commentary on Isaiah 60:3

“The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.”

🌟 Introduction

Isaiah chapter 60[i] is a prophetic vision of the future glory of Zion, a chapter saturated with eschatological hope and divine promise. Verse 3 stands as a pivotal declaration of the global reach of God’s redemptive plan. This verse is interpreted not merely as a historical or nationalistic promise to Israel, but as a typological and Christocentric prophecy pointing to the expansion of the Church and the triumph of the gospel.

🔍 Exegesis of Isaiah 60:3

Isaiah 60:3 follows the dramatic call in verse 1: “Arise, shine; for your light has come!” The “light” is not self-generated but is the glory of the Lord rising upon Zion. Verse 2 contrasts this divine illumination with the darkness covering the earth, setting the stage for verse 3’s declaration: the Gentiles (nations) and kings will be drawn to this light.

This light is understood as the revelation of Jesus Christ, the true Light of the world (John 8:12). The nations coming to the light symbolise the calling of the Gentiles into the covenant community, a theme echoed in Isaiah 49:6 and fulfilled in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20).

John Calvin interprets this verse as a prophecy of the gospel’s expansion beyond Israel. He writes, “The Church shall be restored to such splendour that she shall attract the eyes of all nations.” This aligns with the sovereignty of God in salvation and the irresistible draw of divine grace.

🕊️ Theological Teaching

Isaiah 60:3 teaches several key doctrines central to Christianity:

• Universal Scope of Redemption: The inclusion of Gentiles reflects God’s plan to redeem people from every tribe and tongue (Revelation 7:9). Salvation is not ethnocentric but Christocentric and global.
• Effectual Calling: The nations do not merely observe the light; they come to it. This movement reflects the doctrine of effectual calling, where God’s grace draws sinners irresistibly to Himself (Romans 8:30).
• Christ as Light: The light to which the nations are drawn is ultimately Christ Himself. Isaiah’s imagery anticipates the incarnation, where the glory of God is revealed in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6).
• The Church as Witness: Zion, typologically representing the Church, is called to “arise and shine.” The Church is not passive but active in reflecting the glory of God to the world. This aligns with the Church’s role in proclaiming the gospel and discipling the nations.

🧭 Application to Modern Christian Living

For believers today, Isaiah 60:3 offers both encouragement and exhortation:

• Missional Living: Christians are called to be bearers of the light of Christ. In a world shrouded in moral and spiritual darkness, the Church must arise and shine, proclaiming the gospel with clarity and compassion.
• Hope in Evangelism: The promise that “nations shall come” assures believers that gospel proclamation is not in vain. God is drawing people to Himself, and the Church participates in this divine mission.
• Dignity of the Church: Even kings are drawn to the brightness of Zion’s rising. This affirms the dignity and authority of the Church, not in worldly power, but in spiritual influence through the gospel.

---

[i] Isaiah 60

New King James Version

The Gentiles Bless Zion

60 Arise, shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
3 The Gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.

4 “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 nursed at your side.
5 Then you shall see and become radiant,
And your heart shall swell with joy;
Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you,
The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you.
6 The multitude of camels shall cover your land,
The dromedaries of Midian and Ephah;
All those from Sheba shall come;
They shall bring gold and incense,
And they shall proclaim the praises of the Lord.
7 All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together to you,
The rams of Nebaioth shall minister to you;
They shall ascend with acceptance on My altar,
And I will glorify the house of My glory.

8 “Who are these who fly like a cloud,
And like doves to their roosts?
9 Surely the coastlands shall wait for Me;
And the ships of Tarshish will come first,
To bring your sons from afar,
Their silver and their gold with them,
To the name of the Lord your God,
And to the Holy One of Israel,
Because He has glorified you.

10 “The sons of foreigners shall build up your walls,
And their kings shall minister to you;
For in My wrath I struck you,
But in My favor I have had mercy on you.
11 Therefore your gates shall be open continually;
They shall not be shut day or night,
That men may bring to you the wealth of the Gentiles,
And their kings in procession.
12 For the nation and kingdom which will not serve you shall perish,
And those nations shall be utterly ruined.

13 “The glory of Lebanon shall come to you,
The cypress, the pine, and the box tree together,
To beautify the place of My sanctuary;
And I will make the place of My feet glorious.
14 Also the sons of those who afflicted you
Shall come bowing to you,
And all those who despised you shall fall prostrate at the soles of your feet;
And they shall call you The City of the Lord,
Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

15 “Whereas you have been forsaken and hated,
So that no one went through you,
I will make you an eternal excellence,
A joy of many generations.
16 You shall drink the milk of the Gentiles,
And milk the breast of kings;
You shall know that I, the Lord, am your Savior
And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.

17 “Instead of bronze I will bring gold,
Instead of iron I will bring silver,
Instead of wood, bronze,
And instead of stones, iron.
I will also make your officers peace,
And your magistrates righteousness.
18 Violence shall no longer be heard in your land,
Neither [a]wasting nor destruction within your borders;
But you shall call your walls Salvation,
And your gates Praise.

God the Glory of His People

19 “The sun shall no longer be your light by day,
Nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you;
But the Lord will be to you an everlasting light,
And your God your glory.
20 Your sun shall no longer go down,
Nor shall your moon withdraw itself;
For the Lord will be your everlasting light,
And the days of your mourning shall be ended.
21 Also your people shall all be righteous;
They shall inherit the land forever,
The branch of My planting,
The work of My hands,
That I may be glorified.
22 A little one shall become a thousand,
And a small one a strong nation.
I, the Lord, will hasten it in its time.”

Footnotes

Isaiah 60:18 devastation