Isaiah 60
Sunday Morning Bible Study
July 9, 2000
Introduction
Last week we saw how our sin breaks off our relationship with God. Because we are hopeless by ourselves, God stepped in and sent a Redeemer, someone to take care of our sin. What we see this morning is what happens when the Redeemer shows up.
:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come …
Because of God’s redeeming work (Isa. 59:20), God’s light will fall on Israel.
:2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth
This is talking about how the world will be coming out of the darkness of the Tribulation period. God’s light will be pouring out of the nation of Israel into a dark world.
:3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light
The Gentile world will be drawn to Jerusalem when Jesus comes. For now, we too can be a light in a dark world (Mat. 5:14-16).
:4 Lift up thine eyes round about, and see:
Jerusalem is being pictured as a woman whose eyes are aimed at the ground in grief, and then told to look up and see what’s coming toward her.
Lesson
Lifted eyes
Jesus told the disciples to lift up their eyes too. It happened after an appointment He had with a woman in Samaria.
(John 4:7-35; 39-42 KJV) There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. {8} (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) {9} Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
Jesus was acting odd to this woman. She was someone He shouldn’t be talking to, yet He was. She was someone He shouldn’t be paying attention to, but He was.
{10} Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
In that culture, “living water” was water that came from a spring as opposed to rain water that had been collected in a musty old cistern. It was good water. It was the best water.
{11} The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? {12} Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? {13} Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: {14} But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
We know that Jesus isn’t talking about real water. He’s talking about spiritual things. But He’s also doing something that is VERY important. He’s pointing out to this woman that she’s been trying to satisfy her “thirst” with the wrong thing. The only way to truly satisfy your soul’s thirst is to take what Jesus has for you.
{15} The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. {16} Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.
Jesus is being a little sneaky, but He’s doing something else here that’s very important. He’s going to gently remind the woman that she’s needy, and He’s going to point out to her just what kinds of things she’s been trying to do to satisfy her “thirst”. For her, she’s been trying to satisfy her “thirst” through relationships.
{17} The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: {18} For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly. {19} The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
She’s beginning to realize that Jesus is talking about spiritual things.
{20} Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. {21} Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. {22} Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. {23} But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. {24} God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. {25} The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
She’ll later say that Jesus told her “all things”. I think she’s hinting that she might be thinking that Jesus is the Messiah.
{26} Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. {27} And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her? {28} The woman then left her waterpot,
In a way, John is mentioning this to show that the woman has taken a step. She is no longer dependant upon “Jacob’s well”, upon the old life. Jesus has satisfied her thirst. She no longer needs a waterpot.
and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, {29} Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? {30} Then they went out of the city, and came unto him. {31} In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. {32} But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. {33} Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? {34} Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. {35} Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
As the men are pouring out of the city, probably wearing the customary light colored clothing, I think Jesus is referring to these men looking for answers as the “harvest”.
…{39} And many of the
Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which
testified, He told me all that ever I did. {40} So when the Samaritans were
come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode
there two days. {41} And many more believed because of his own word; {42} And
said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have
heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of
the world.
Our part in the “harvest” is simply to do what the woman did. Point people to Jesus. We don’t have to have all the answers to their life’s questions. We just need to get them to Jesus.
But first we need to “lift up our eyes”. We need to realize that there is a world out there that needs Jesus.
Are you watching? Do you see the fields? Do you see the need?
:5 because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee
Some suggest the “wealth of the seas”. Others have suggested it refers to sailors coming to the Lord (Gill).
:6 The multitude of camels shall cover thee …
The idea is that there are many camels coming to Jerusalem to bring gifts.
Midian … Ephah … Sheba … - all parts of Arabia
:7 All the flocks of Kedar … of Nebaioth
Kedar … Nebaioth – also in Arabia
:7 they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar,
It might simply be that this is talking about people from these areas bringing their animals to sacrifice, but if you look closely, the words sound as if the flocks themselves are coming up to Jerusalem to offer themselves as sacrifices. And they are accepted by the Lord.
One of the ancient scholars (Vitringa) writes, “They, waiting for no priest, go and freely offer themselves to the glory and sanctification of the sacred name.”
In a way, it reminds me of,
(Rom 12:1 KJV) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the
mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
:8 Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?
(Isa 60:8 NLT) "And what do I see flying like clouds
to Israel, like doves to their nests?
A very cryptic phrase. Some commentators say this is simply speaking of the “haste” in which people will come to Jerusalem, like doves flying in. Just a strange picture. New people approaching Jerusalem like a cloud, like flying doves.
If this is taking place during the Millennium as we suppose, there will be actual people able to fly around, who will be wearing white clothing. Us. Just a thought.
:9 the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far
Tarshish – usually thought to have been in the south of Spain. Considered the farthest place on the earth from Jerusalem. Jonah ran to Tarshish. These folks will run home from Tarshish.
The places farthest will come first to present their presents to the Lord. I wonder about the Jewish folks coming from New York (largest population of Jews outside Israel), and all the wealth they’ll bring with them.
:13 The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee
Lebanese wood will be imported just as in Solomon’s day, to beautify the temple.
:13 and I will make the place of my feet glorious.
The Ark of the Covenant was considered God’s “footstool”. (1Chr. 28:2)
:14 The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending
Think of all the various peoples that have afflicted and hated the Jews throughout the centuries. There is nothing new about people hating the Jews. Skinheads and people who just hate are nothing new. Yet they and their children will one day come to Jerusalem and bow before the Lord.
:15 I will make thee an eternal excellency
Instead of an empty wasteland, Jerusalem will be made a place of prosperity and joy.
:16 Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles
Jerusalem will be fed from the wealth and substance of the Gentiles.
:17 For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver …
Everything is going to be upgraded.
:17 I will also make thy officers peace …
(NIV) I will make peace your
governor and righteousness your ruler.
:19 The sun shall be no more thy light by day …
This will look a lot like what we call the “eternal state”, the “new heavens and new earth” (Rev. 21-22), but we’re really not there quite yet. This seems to still be the time of the Millennium, when Jesus rules from Jerusalem on this present earth.
:20 and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.
When Jesus returns, there will be no more sadness.
:21 Thy people also shall be all righteous:
The people that will enter into Jesus’ kingdom on earth will be righteous. There will not be a single person alive who does not believe in Jesus, at least not at the beginning.
:22 A little one shall become a thousand …
God can do a lot with just a little.
:22 I the LORD will hasten it in his time.
When God decides that it is time for this to happen, it will happen quickly. But it will happen when He’s ready. Are you ready?
:16 and thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Saviour
(2 Sam 5:11-12 KJV) And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to
David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an
house. {12} And David perceived (knew) that the LORD had
established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his
people Israel's sake.
David knew that God had really made him king over Israel. He had long been promised that he was to be king (1Sam. 16:12,13), but it wasn’t until the nation had finally asked him to be king, and until Hiram built David a house that he knew he was king.
For Israel, it will be when they see God’s restoration and great blessings on them that they will really know that Yahweh is their Savior.
Lesson
God wants you to know.
God wants you to know that He is your Savior.
(1 John 5:9-13 KJV) If we receive the witness of men, the
witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath
testified of his Son. {10} He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness
in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he
believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. {11} And this is the record,
that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. {12} He that
hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. {13}
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of
God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the
name of the Son of God.
Many people go through life wondering and hoping that they are saved. Many people are plagued with doubts that they will one day make it to heaven. God doesn’t want you wondering. He wants you to know.
It all boils down to this. Eternal life is found in Jesus.
It is your sins that will keep you from heaven. Only Jesus has paid the price that will take care of your sins. If you have asked Jesus to pay for you, if you have asked Jesus into your life, then you have eternal life. It’s no longer a matter of whether you’ve been good enough. It’s a matter of whether Jesus is good enough. It’s a matter of whether you are trusting in Jesus to pay for your sins.
Illustration
Believe me, the life of grace is no dead level; it is not a marsh country, a vast flat. There are mountains, and there are valleys. There are tribes of Christians who live in the lowlands, like the poor Swiss of Valais, who live between the lofty ranges of mountains in the midst of the smoke (miasma), where the air is stagnant and fever has its lair and the human frame grows languid and enfeebled. Such dwellers in the lowlands of unbelief are forever doubting, fearing, troubled about their interest in Christ, and tossed to and fro; but there are other believers, who, by God's grace, have climbed the mountain of full assurance and near communion. Their place is with the eagle (in his eyrie), high aloft; they are like the strong mountaineer who has trodden the virgin snow, who has breathed the fresh, free air of the Alpine regions, and therefore his sinews are braced, and his limbs are vigorous. These are they who do great exploits, being mighty men, men of renown.
-- Charles Haddon Spurgeon, The Quotable Spurgeon, (Wheaton: Harold Shaw Publishers, Inc, 1990)