Isaiah 60:1-6 (NRSV)
Read Isaiah 60:1-6 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 60Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Verse 2For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Verse 3Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Verse 4Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses' arms. Verse 5Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. Verse 6A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.
Devotion
“Arise, shine; for your light has come” was good news to Jerusalem. The holy city had lain in ruins for two generations. The Babylonian conquerors had done their worst to ensure the city would not rise again. The glory of the Lord had traveled with the captives into exile, but darkness covered the people for what had seemed an endless time.
The God of Jacob had not forgotten his covenant people. The prophet Ezekiel ministered to them in Babylon. The rise of Cyrus to power brought hope that they might return to the land promised to Abraham and to the city of David. The prophet declared, “The glory of the LORD has risen upon you.” God’s glory would rekindle faith among the exiles.
They were told, “Lift up your eyes and look around … Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” That light is Christ, who was laid in a manger but who was also in the form of God. We join the caravan from every nation to sing his praise.
Prayer
Gracious God, let the light of your countenance shine on us and through us to the world, for the sake our Savior, Jesus the Christ. Amen.