“Walking in the Lord’s Light”

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-6, 15

As you know, Isaiah is a book of prophecy. Much of it speaks of Israel’s failure to love the Lord, but parts actually tell of God’s love for the people and how he reaches out to them, to protect them, to sustain them, to enrich them, and to care for their future. But the nation always seemed to take God’s providence for granted. After all, they were the “chosen” people, and believed that God would never let them down.

So the prophet’s words of doom generally fell on deaf ears. Abandon them? Leave them at the mercy of a conqueror? Never! After all, they were also hearing about a Messiah who would come to free them from assaults and oppression by the tribes of earth. Messiah would be their savior. The only questions were when he would come to relieve them from the persecution that others inflicted on their lives, what he would be like, and how it would all come together.

They would have to continue to wonder, for today’s text addresses a whole other aspect of Messiah that they had also misinterpreted.

Read Isaiah 60:1-3

Much of what Isaiah had been warning the nation about was centered on the issue of “darkness”. In Isaiah 8:21-22, he warns the people that either they will look up toward God, or they will continue to fix their gaze in the darkness of earth; either they will seek the glory that their God offers, or they will continue to be immersed in the distress and anguish that exists in that darkness. In Isaiah 42:16-18, the people are compared to the blind being lead down a road that they have never been on before, and that the Lord will turn their darkness into light – IF they will follow him. He tells those who trust in idols and images for their hope, that they will be put to shame – unless they stop looking down toward earth, and begin looking up toward him.

But this chapter seems to take a different tact. Isaiah begins setting warnings about the penalties of living in darkness aside, and tells the people that the light will prevail in their lives, that the darkness of earth will be defeated. No options, no alternatives, no words of condemnation – just promises of the glory that will come from their Jehovah God. But the one aspect that differs from their previous understanding is that this glory, this wonderful light, won’t come to them from other nations. This glory will come directly from the Lord, and they will be given the blessing of sharing in it. Both the Lord, as well as the Light, will rise upon them.

But will it be theirs to keep? Will it be given solely for their benefit? Not at all. By their witness, others will be able to come near to this divine canopy - it will be an opportunity to bring other nations, other leaders, into the light of Israel’s Almighty God. They would no longer have exclusive access to Messiah God! And why must this be? Verse 2 reminds them, and us, that darkness will still cover the earth, and that, without the light of God, it will still cover the people. And by implication, this is not the will of the Lord.

Light always overcomes the darkness. The darkness doesn’t have a choice; the darkness can’t be strengthened to be above the light; the darkness will never survive the presence of the light. Israel had also been promised that, because they were far from God, that their God would come to them, and that they would reveal his goodness to the rest of earth. (Isaiah 40:1-5) What a responsibility! What an opportunity – to be the means of spreading the Lord’s glory to the rest of earth, that others might know this divine light. But how will that happen?

Read Isaiah 60:4-6

Israel is to lift their eyes, and look around them. Interestingly, looking up makes it difficult to guide your own steps and direction. You need other guidance to stay on the right track. The Lord wants them to look up to him for hope and direction in their lives, and when they do, they will see the truth of what Jehovah is doing for them. This passage begins with a reference to Isaiah 49:18, in which two images are presented, with the first being that of a homecoming. But it wouldn’t be the traditional one, an earthly one of physical relocation, but rather that of a spiritual return to the ways of Almighty God. The second reference is to the adornment relative to a wedding. The bride would be beautifully dressed in the finest jewelry that her family might possess. She would never wear them again, but on the day of her wedding, she would be presented in a royal way.

In putting these two images together, we see that Israel would, one day, return to the Lord’s way, and the “marriage” - the relationship - would be restored. But the beauty of that day would never end – the glory of God would become theirs forever. And the blessings wouldn’t end there. Two more images are raised up.
“The wealth on the seas would” be given to them. The image of water, and more specifically, stormy waters, were a sign of chaos and sin. In the story of creation, we read, regarding the Second Day, that the “waters” were divided to allow an “expanse” to exist within it. The waters represented chaotic, or disorganized existence, and the “expanse”, or “firmament”, to be the created order of God. The darkness would still exist, but there would be light to hold it back (Genesis 1:1-8). But in Isaiah, we discover that God’s light will also effect the “chaos” of the spiritual seas – that it will be changed into blessings for Israel.
“The riches of the nations” will also pale in comparison to what Israel will receive. Of course, this won’t be monetary riches for the people – it will be the earth’s offerings presented at the Lord’s altar.
It is about the blessings that come in faith. Herds of camels, gifts of gold and silver, were all signs of great wealth, and all will be presented to God on behalf of Israel. And the gifts won’t only be Israel’s to give – all the earth will come to make offerings to the God of Glory.

Consider what this may mean for the Church of today. By faithful obedience to God’s call, and by his faithfulness to us, others, who have yet to know and honor him, will present their own lives to him. This is the true gift, the true sacrifice that the Lord is seeking. Romans 12:1-2 tells us that the sacrifice that the Lord desires is that we “offer [our] bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is [our] spiritual act of worship.” The camels and gold and silver that Isaiah speaks of are simply representative of the worth that our surrender to the Lord’s way embodies.

Read Isaiah 60:15

Israel never actually had the respect of other nations – there were times, especially during Solomon’s reign, when others honored the power and majesty of Israel. But it was based more on submission to power, than it was in the offer of respect. But as time went on, they lost any majesty and authority that others had granted to the nation. They would experience the animosity that others felt toward them, and they would feel forsaken by both the world and by God.

But the prophet tells them that they will become the “everlasting pride and joy” of all nations and all generations. But would it be Israel itself who would be that pride and joy? I believe that it is referring to the gift of salvation that comes through Jesus Christ. Jesus would be God’s gift to Israel, and in turn, he would be that same gift to the world.

“Joy and Pride”? The words hardly seem adequate! But they will be credited to Israel, none the less. And why? Because the day will come when they will recognize and receive the salvation that Christ offers them. Through the gift of Jesus to God’s people, other peoples will also become the “children of God”, and will know his salvation, too.

But even though the light has come into the world, there will still be some who will decide to remain in darkness. But those who strive to do what is true will come to the light, and will bathe in its glow. John 3:19-21 tells us that the deeds that people of the light do are done in God, and not in and of themselves.

“Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” These words were given to Israel, but the word is also for all who “come to the light” of Christ. Are you ready for that glory? Are you prepared to give your life and all that you do to the glory of our Almighty and Gracious and Loving God?

Our “Light has come” – and if we walk in it, and live in it, and truly understand what that means for each of our lives, how can we give him any less?