Isaiah 60-64
We are in the Prophetic Stream today getting close to the end of the book of Isaiah. We are using the Good News Translation this week.
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Commentary by Dr. Drake Travis
The section today bursts forth as a song of the Messianic Age. The Lord is here and in full and good news is spreading over all the earth and the illustration spills right into being the glory of heaven.
60 – Isaiah is one of the greatest writers that ever lived and this is certainly among Isaiah’s sections. It’s even among the most wonder-filled chapters in the whole Bible. It talks of a grand gathering, people and wealth are coming to Jerusalem, the testifying, the sacrifices, it’s the homecoming of history and “the LORD will make His Temple more glorious than ever ” v. 7. There will be great service in Jerusalem. When the chapter morphs into talk that can only be interpreted as paradise itself with unimpeded access to God it is altogether a marvel.
61 – What we read in the first three verses of 61 is Isaiah talking of Jesus. Jesus knows it is Him and quotes this when He is speaking in the synagogue at Nazareth (Luke 4:18f). This is prophecy fulfilled 700 years later. This is a time of great restoration. The Messianic theme that actually started in Isaiah 59:20 is still proceeding. Israel will have servants, and wealth, and joy. The praises to the LORD will be coming from all nations – the testimony of what God has done in this one nation will amaze the whole earth that much.
62 – The splendor here is the imagery of a wedding. It is enchanting as a wedding also. The symbolism is matched in ways by John’s writing at the end of Revelation when “the New Jerusalem” is coming down like a bride preparing to meet her husband. The surprises and excitement of a reunion also come into play too. There is food; bread and wine in abundance and phenomenal worship. Is it fine to call this a dinner/theater gone into a colossal mode?! And most of all the LORD is coming to save.
63 – there is a peculiar insertion here – a mentioning of Edom; it could be a reference to all the enemies of God and Jerusalem who will be trampled and defeated permanently. It is certainly a break in the literature to interrupt all the glory and worship and celebration to put this in such a run of wonderful things. However it is part of celebrating to defeat an enemy, and revel with our victorious LORD. Isaiah resumes abruptly; talking of the goodness and love of the LORD and his precise care and provision. The chapter ends with a prayer for mercy; beseeching God to treat them according to God’s goodness v.s. their character and lack thereof. This is a theme we have seen before in Isaiah.
64 – and Shazzam, 64 arrives and we are not looking way forward to glorious things and themes and events. Isaiah just wants God to show and make himself known. Things are difficult; attitudes across the nation are crass, the city is in ruins, beautiful places have been deserted and Isaiah is pleading for the LORD to come to them.