Thursday
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light and kings to the brightness of your dawn. . . .
Although you have been forsaken and hated, with no one traveling through, I will make you the everlasting pride and the joy of all generations. You will drink the milk of nations and be nursed at royal breasts. Then you will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
Instead of bronze I will bring you gold, and silver in place of iron. Instead of wood I will bring you bronze, and iron in place of stones. I will make peace your governor and righteousness your ruler.
No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin of destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise.
The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light.
(Isaiah 60:1-3, 15-20, NIV)
As we noted yesterday, the second part of the book of Isaiah has been described as “the book of comfort.” Although Isaiah pronounces harsh judgment on Israel and repeatedly refers to the “fire” of God’s rebuke, he also expresses the compassion of God and describes the restoration of Zion. Judgment is coming, but so is deliverance. False worshipers will receive punishment, but true worshipers will be blessed (chapter 66).
The prophet Isaiah describes a glorious future kingdom in chapter 60, a place where all the nations of the world bring their homage and proclaim the praise of the Lord. This “peace picture” again reveals the heart of God and the desire he has for his creation. Although sin has destroyed what God originally intended, Isaiah’s prophecy tells us that God will make things right again.
When Isaiah describes the way in which this future kingdom will operate, he declares “peace” as the governor and “righteousness” as the ruler. It will be a kingdom where no violence will take place and where no destruction will occur. The days of sorrow will be over. What a glorious vision of our future!
Prayer
Almighty God, we thank you for the promise that we will share a restored Zion with you and enjoy an eternity without war, violence and sorrow. You are a God of peace and harmony and we praise you. Amen.