Verse 1
God had called Israel to be a light to the nations (Isaiah 43:10), but presently she was darkness (Isaiah 56:9 to Isaiah 57:13; Isaiah 59:1-15 a). The Lord had promised that He would enable His people to fulfill their calling (Isaiah 57:14-21; Isaiah 59:15-21). Now Isaiah summoned the nation to rise up and shine because her light had arrived (cf. Isaiah 51:17; Isaiah 52:1). God’s glory, rather than His discipline, will rise as the sun upon her. Like a city gleaming in the light of the risen sun, Israel will shine with a glory that is not her own. God will not share His glory with false gods (Isaiah 42:8; Isaiah 48:11), but He will share it with His people through His Servant (Isaiah 11:10; Isaiah 35:2; Isaiah 43:7; John 1:14; John 17:4; John 17:22; Romans 8:17; 2 Corinthians 4:6; 1 Peter 4:13-14).
The first coming of Christ anticipated the dawning of a new day for Israel, but His second coming will see the fulfillment of these prophecies of Israel’s glorification (cf. Revelation 2:28; Revelation 22:16).
Be the first to react on this!
