Isaiah 60

4–9 In these verses, the Lord describes the return of His people to Jerusalem and the wealth that will be brought to the city from all over the world (verses 5–6). At that time, Jerusalem’s sons and daughters (verses 4,9) will return—in addition to the Gentile nations (verse 3).

In verse 7, the Lord says that flocks and rams will be accepted as offerings at His altar. This was true only of the restored Jerusalem in Old Testament times;²²⁰ after Christ came, animal sacrifices were no longer necessary (see Hebrews 10:1–5,10–14).

10–12 In these verses, the Lord describes how foreigners and their kings will bring their wealth to Jerusalem; they will come as subjects, as prisoners led in triumphal procession²²¹ (verse 11). The Lord had struck His people in anger by sending them into exile (verse 10); now He was about to show them compassion (see Isaiah 54:7–8). “Your gates will always stand open,” says the Lord (verse 11); this is a picture of the new heavenly Jerusalem, whose gates will never need to be shut for protection against enemies (Revelation 21:2,24–25).

13–14 The Lord continues to describe how the nations will come and bow down at the feet of His people. The glory of Lebanon, especially its cedar wood, will be brought to Jerusalem, just as it had been in Solomon’s day (1 Kings 5:6,8). The wood and other materials will be used to adorn the Lord’s sanctuary—“the place of my feet”²²² (verse 13). Jerusalem itself will be called Zion, the City of the LORD (verse 14); the New Testament speaks of the new Jerusalem (Revelation 21:2), the heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22), and the Jerusalem that is above (Galatians 4:26).

15–22 Here the Lord further describes the future heavenly Jerusalem. He will establish peace and righteousness in the city (verse 17); both peace and righteousness are associated with the reign of the Lord’s servant (see Isaiah 9:7). There will be no need for the sun or moon to provide light (Revelation 21:23; 22:5), because the Lord Himself will be the city’s everlasting light (verse 19). The days of sorrow will end (verse 20) and all the people will be righteous (verse 21), just as the New Testament foretells (see Revelation 21:4,27).

In verse 21, the Lord calls the people of the heavenly Jerusalem “the shoot I have planted.” Earlier He had mentioned another shoot, the Messiah, who would grow out of the house of David and ultimately bear fruit (Isaiah 11:1; 53:2–3). That original despised shoot would one day become the collective “shoot” of the redeemed people of God; by this redemptive work, God’s splendor (glory) would be displayed.