The Lord Showering His Blessing on Israel
August 13, 2019
Commentary
In contrast with Israel having been forsaken and hated, God will cause others to take pride in her (vv. 15-16). Israel will now have an eternal excellency (v. 15). This can be interpreted to mean the millennial kingdom and ultimately, the heavenly Jerusalem. Much as a nursing child gets sustenance from its mother, so Israel will be sustained by the wealth of the nations (v. 16). There will be both outward beauty and inward stability in this city (vv. 17-18) Wealth brought to Jerusalem will include not only gold and silver, but also bronze and iron. Beyond the outward beauty there will be inward stability. God will bring peace to the government. Violence and the resulting waste and destruction will be eliminated. The very walls of the city will be called Salvation, and the gates Praise.
The prophet concludes his thoughts by describing the city as being filled with the brightness and glory of the Lord (vv. 19-22). The glory of the Lord will so fill Jerusalem that no other gods will be worshiped. Having described the city and the Temple, the prophet now describes the inhabitants. These people would be a branch of my planting and the work of my hands, implying that they will receive care and nourishment from God Himself. He promises them numerical increase and also an expansion of joyous fellowship.
Application
I should not be discouraged when I look around and see so few people turning to the Lord. One day people throughout the earth will recognize Him as the one true God.
Isaiah 60:15– 22 (NET)
15 You were once abandoned and despised, with no one passing through, but I will make you a permanent source of pride and joy to coming generations.
16 You will drink the milk of nations; you will nurse at the breasts of kings. Then you will recognize that I, the Lord, am your Deliverer, your Protector, the Powerful One of Jacob.
17 Instead of bronze, I will bring you gold; instead of iron, I will bring you silver; instead of wood, I will bring you bronze; instead of stones, I will bring you iron. I will make prosperity your overseer, and vindication your sovereign ruler.
18 Sounds of violence will no longer be heard in your land, or the sounds of destruction and devastation within your borders. You will name your walls, ‘Deliverance,’ and your gates, ‘Praise.’
19 The sun will no longer supply light for you by day, nor will the moon’s brightness shine on you; the Lord will be your permanent source of light— the splendor of your God will shine upon you.
20 Your sun will no longer set; your moon will not disappear; the Lord will be your permanent source of light; your time of sorrow will be over.
21 All your people will be godly; they will possess the land permanently. I will plant them like a shoot; they will be the product of my labor, through whom I reveal my splendor.
22 The least of you will multiply into a thousand; the smallest of you will become a large nation. When the right time comes, I the Lord will quickly do this!”
Illustration: Prayer in the Clothing of a Dead Child at Ravensbruck
One of the most powerful prayers in the midst of suffering I have read was uncovered from the horrors of Ravensbruck concentration camp. Ravensbruck was a concentration camp built in 1939 for women. Over 90,000 women and children perished in Ravensbruck, murdered by the Nazis. Corrie Ten Boom, who wrote The Hiding Place, was imprisoned there too. The prayer, found in the clothing of a dead child, says: O Lord, remember not only the men and woman of good will, but also those of ill will. But do not remember all of the suffering they have inflicted upon us: Instead remember the fruits we have borne because of this suffering, our fellowship, our loyalty to one another, our humility, our courage. When our persecutors come to be judged by you, let all of these fruits that we have borne be their forgiveness.