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1“Rise up in splendor and be radiant, for your light has dawned,[#60:1 Or “break forth with the light of [a new] day.” See Eph. 5:27. Applying vv. 1–2 to the church, we see both Jesus as the Light that shines upon us (see John 8:12; 2 Cor. 4:6) and the church as the light shining upon the nations (see Matt. 5:14–16).]
and Yahweh ’s glory now streams from you!
2Look carefully! Darkness blankets the earth,
and thick clouds covers the nations,
but Yahweh arises upon you
and the brightness of his glory appears over you!
3Nations will be attracted to your radiant light[#60:3 Or “Nations will walk by your light.” Light is often seen as a biblical metaphor for understanding and revelation. See Eph. 1:18.]
and kings to the sunrise-glory of your new day.
4Lift up your eyes higher! Look all around you and believe ,
for your sons are returning from far away
and your daughters are being tenderly carried home.
Watch as they all gather together, eager to come back to you!”
5“Then you will see with understanding and be radiant.[#60:5 Or “As you understand you will sparkle.” The Hebrew word nahar can also be translated “flow together.” So this verse could also read “As you understand, you will flow together.”]
Your heart will be thrilled and swell with joy.
The fullness of the sea will flow to you
and the wealth of the nations will be transferred to you!
6Caravans of camels will cover your land,
young camels loaded with goods from Midian and Ephah.
All the wealthy merchants from Sheba will come,
bearing gold and frankincense
and singing the praises of Yahweh !
7All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered to you,[#60:7 Kedar was one of Ishmael’s sons, and his tribe became the dominant military power of the Ishmaelites in North Arabia (see Hitti, History of the Arabs , 42).]
and the rams of Nebaioth will be yours
as acceptable sacrifices on my altar,
and I will adorn with more glory my glorious temple.
8“Who are these who soar like clouds,[#60:8 See 1 Kings 18:44; Heb. 12:1; Rev. 1:7.]
flying like doves into their portals?
9Indeed, the distant islands eagerly look for me,
with their large ships leading the way.
They are bringing Zion’s children from afar.
They come with offerings of silver and gold
to honor the name of Yahweh , your God, the Holy One of Israel,
for he has glorified you!”
10“Foreigners will rebuild your walls[#60:10 Or “sons of foreigners.”]
and their kings will serve you.
Even though I punished you in my anger,
I will restore you in my gracious favor
and show you my tender compassion.
11Your gateways will always remain wide open[#60:11 See John 10:9–10. Jesus Christ is always ready to receive any who come to him.]
around the clock to let in the procession of kings
bringing their constant stream of the riches of the nations.
12The nation or kingdom
that refuses to serve you will perish and be utterly ruined.
13Lebanon’s glory will be yours.
The cypress, fir, and pine will come to you
to beautify the site of my holy place.
And I will glorify the place where I rest my feet.
14The descendants of your oppressors
will come bowing low before you,
and all who hated you will bow down at your feet.
They will call you The Beautiful City of Yahweh ,
Glorious Zion of the Holy One of Israel.”
15“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.
16You will guzzle the milk of nations[#60:16 This is a figure of speech for receiving the best from the nations and being enriched by kings.]
and suckle at the breast of kings.
You will know me intimately
that I am Yahweh , your Savior,
for I am the Mighty Hero who rules over Jacob’s tribes,
your Kinsman-Redeemer!”
17“I will replace your copper with gold,
your iron with silver,
your wood with copper,
and your stone with iron.
I will install peace and prosperity as your government
and righteousness as your overseer.
18Threats of violence will no longer be heard in your land,
nor will destruction and ruin be found within your borders.
You will name your walls Salvation
and your gates Praise.”
19“The sun will no longer be needed to brighten the day,
nor the moon to shine at night,
for Yahweh will be your unfailing light;
your God will be your glory!
20There will be no more sunsets or new moons,[#60:20 Or “the moon withdrawing itself.”]
for Yahweh will be your everlasting light
and your days of sadness will be over.
21All your people will be righteous
and will permanently possess the land.
I planted them there as a tender sapling,
the work of my own hands to display my glory.
22I will multiply the least of you into a thousand[#60:22 Or “a tribe.”]
and the weakest one into a mighty nation.
I am Yahweh , and when the right time comes,
I will accomplish it swiftly!”