#DailyDevotion Arise & Shine For Your Glory Has Come!
Isaiah 60:1–6 “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the LORD’s glory is shining on you. 2Darkness still covers the earth and thick darkness covers the peoples, but the LORD will rise over you, and His glory will appear over you. 3 Gentiles will come to your light, and as you shine, kings will come near. 4Lift your eyes and look around. All of them gather and come to you. Your sons come from a distance, your daughters carried on the arm. 5When you see it, you will be radiant, your heart trembling with pride and glad to know the abundance of the sea is turning to you and the wealth of the nations is coming to you. 6Many camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. All of those from Sheba will come, bringing gold and incense. They will tell of the LORD’s wonderful deeds.
This section of Isaiah starting with chapter 40 is considered by some the New Testament in the Old Testament. Many of the prophecies quoted from Isaiah in the New Testament are from this section. We can see much of the life of Christ in this section and many of the prophecies concerning his second coming with those who trusted in him are contained here. Here we see one of those prophecies which is pointed to as being fulfilled in Jesus infancy/toddler age stage.
We really both the birth of Jesus in the first two verses. Here as we hear, ““Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the LORD’s glory is shining on you,” and “His glory will appear over you.” I think we can see and hear the angels in the glory of the LORD announcing the birth of Jesus and praising God for all his glory.
Ah, but then in verse three we shoot the visitation of the Magi. The LORD had revealed himself to his people Israel, namely the shepherds, Simeon, and Anna and those of Israel to whom they witnessed what they had seen and heard. Now through the star and the prophet the Gentiles come to the light of Christ. They come, these kings with their wealth to bestow upon the King of Israel, the King of the Jews. Since there are three place names here in this text, Midian, Ephah and Sheba, we often think there were three of these Magi. It’s also why they are depicted as they are in art and our nativity scenes. They brought gold and incense (frankincense and myrrh).
Jesus’ birth and subsequent infant years are certainly covered here, but this prophecy covers more. It is still being fulfilled among us and is completely fulfilled at Christ’s return. For both Jews and Gentiles are still coming to the light of Jesus. Great men of the earth continue to bring their wealth to him through the Church. His sons and daughters are being drawn to him from every nation, language, people and tribe. Finally at Christ’s second coming, we all are totally, visibly gathered to him with all that we have giving tribute to him.
It is his great gift to us that he gathers us together as his holy people, to live under him and to be citizens of his kingdom of peace which has no end. Until then we will continue to tell everyone of his wonderful deeds. Jesus has obeyed the Torah fully and perfectly. Jesus has suffered death to pay our debt of our sins, trespasses, guilt and shame. He has overcome death by his resurrection and by his ascension to the right hand of God he has opened heaven, the Father’s presence to all who put their trust in him.
Heavenly Father, so continually gather us to your Son Jesus Christ, that we may participate in his glory and live in his kingdom forevermore. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.