Isaiah 60:1

Context

Isaiah 60 is a song addressed to Zion (Jerusalem), which is to be restored after the exile. The "thee" addressed in verse 1 is Zion, and the verse stands in contrast to the preceding chapter (Isaiah 59), which laments that because of the people's sin, justice is far from them and they walk in darkness. Verse 2 says that although darkness covers the earth, the LORD shall arise upon Zion, and verse 3 declares, "And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising." There follows a scene in which Zion's sons come from far away and the wealth of the nations flows into the city.

Interpretation

• As the restoration of Zion: "Shine" is understood not as a command for Zion to produce light of itself, but as a call to receive and reflect the glory of God that has already come. The source of the light is God, whose glory is "risen upon thee."
• As a light to the nations: Read together with verse 3, the passage is taken in a missional sense: God's people become a light that draws the nations to God. Isaiah 49:6 ("a light to the Gentiles") and Matthew 5:14 ("Ye are the light of the world") are cited alongside it.
• As eschatological fulfillment: Because the language of verses 19–20, in which the LORD rather than the sun and moon becomes an everlasting light, is taken up in Revelation 21:23, the passage is seen as looking ahead to its consummation in the New Jerusalem.

Questions Concerning Application

Some observe that applying the "thee" of this verse to individuals as a promise of success or personal advancement misses the communal character of the text. Similarly, some read the description of the wealth of the nations flowing into Zion (verses 3–5) as a promise of material prosperity for the church, while others counter that it is a poetic depiction of God's glory. In the liturgical calendar of the Western church, the passage is read as a text for Epiphany and has been associated with the visit of the Magi.

In the Korean Church

The verse is frequently used as a theme verse for church anniversaries, New Year mottos, mission conferences, and revival meetings, and gospel songs setting its words to music are widely sung.

Related Passages

• Isaiah 60:1–3
• Isaiah 49:6
• Matthew 5:14–16
• Revelation 21:23–24