Isaiah 60. Zion, a Source of Joy for Every Generation.

Because of the importance of Israel and its people, and my personal love for The Land, I’m inviting you to join me through the key Old Testament book of Isaiah.  Each day I’m posting some simple thoughts about this complex prophet.

Isaiah 60.

It’s happening! Soon! This is when exciting things begin to happen. Isaiah is describing the New Jerusalem. It’s such a rich chapter full of hope and a future when all God’s children will return to Jerusalem to worship Him! The glory of God is shining on His people.

“Get out of bed, Jerusalem! Wake up. Put your face in the sunlight. God’s bright glory has risen for you. The whole earth is wrapped in darkness, all people sunk in deep darkness. But God rises on you, his sunrise glory breaks over you… Open your eyes! Look around! Crowds are coming… When you see them coming you’ll smile—big smiles! Your heart will swell and, yes, burst!” (v1-2,4-5, MSG).

God rises on His people! Isaiah is prophesying that everyone will return back to Jerusalem. Do you know that this is happening even today? The Jewish Virtual Library reports that:

“As of December 2019, Israel’s population stood at 9,136,000.  This is a more than 10-fold increase compared to when Israel was founded in 1948.  And the Jewish population makes up 6,772,000 (74.1%).” (Source: https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/latest-population-statistics-for-israel). That’s roughly the same number who live in the United States today.

All that to say that Jews are returning to their homeland! Personally, I believe that is great news for Jews and Gentiles alike.

What great joy!

How about this: “Although once you were rejected and despised, undesirable for anyone to pass through you, I will make you majestic forever, a source of joy for every generation.” (v15, TPT). Zion will be a source of joy! It is a source of joy.

Finally, Isaiah shares a common vision with John, in Revelation: “Your sun will never set or your moon go down. I, the Lord, will be your everlasting light.” (v19, CEV).

“And the city did not need the sun or the moon. The glory of God was shining on it, and the Lamb was its light.” (Revelation 21:23, CEV). The Lamb is Jesus, the Passover Lamb: “The next day, John (the Baptizer) saw Jesus coming toward him and said: ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!'” (John 1:29, CEV).

Isn’t it so amazing how many dots are connected here in this passage?

If you’re new to this journey through Isaiah, you can start here.
(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.