Scripture Reading(s)
Isaiah 60:1-6
60:1 Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
60:2 For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you.
60:3 Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
60:4 Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms.
60:5 Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
60:6 A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD.
Reflections
The Israelites had just come out of a time of exile. God had promised them a future filled with blessings, yet because of their past disobedience, they had fallen short of receiving those promises. They had suffered through years of darkness and their return to Jerusalem was met with a city in ruins and destruction. In addition, there were those who had inhabited the land that were opposed to the rebuilding of the city and the temple.
Israel had been beaten down by circumstances that were a result of their own sin and resulted in God’s judgment. However, despite their sin, God is still filled with forgiveness and when God disciplines His children it is not to destroy, but to bring us back to Him. In this passage He wanted to redeem the nation and now that time had come. In this passage we see that the idea of light is entering into the picture. They were about to enter out of darkness and into God’s loving light who had been present but not accessed.
In order for them to receive the gift of redemption they had to confess their sins and admit their need for a Savior. They needed to come to the realization that God was their true source of satisfaction, joy and peace. After they entered into this time of “light” they were to spread that light to the world around them and live so that others can see God’s light shining through their lives. They were to be the example of what living in God’s Grace looks like. This was to be a season that opposed the darkness they once lived in and a time in which they would be able to experience God’s loving Grace once again.
We too can fall into sins snares and be lead into darkness. There are times when sin can block out God’s light from shinning in our lives and when we become consumed with our sin it blinds us from truly seeing the dark and destructive path that we are walking in. This world is not a place in which God’s love shines easily. We need to fight to keep our faith and love in Christ alive and allow for others to see that we are set a part from the rest of the world.
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