Isaiah 60-62

What’s Happening?

From the beginning, God’s plan has been to build a city where his presence fills the earth and all nations live in peace under his rule. Isaiah first saw this vision in the early chapters of his prophecy. He saw Mount Zion lifted high above all other mountains as God’s home. He saw the nations streaming to it, eager to learn God’s ways, laying down their weapons and forging them into tools of peace (Isaiah 2:1-5). This was always Israel’s purpose—to be a beacon of God’s justice and goodness, drawing all people into his presence.

But Israel abandoned God’s ways. Instead of drawing the nations into God’s light, they joined them in their darkness. So, God exiled them into the darkness of the nations. And without Israel being a beacon, both God’s people and the world would be in darkness. 

But Isaiah sees that God himself will be Israel’s light. He will draw them from darkness to his light and through them draws the whole world to himself (Isaiah 60:1-2). God himself will build a new city among his people. Foreign kings will bring their treasures to this city, the wealth of nations will pour in, and all that was ruined will be rebuilt in glory (Isaiah 60:3-7, 10-11). The seemingly abandoned exiles will be carried home like sons and daughters in royal processions (Isaiah 60:4, 8-9). And when they arrive, they won’t find a broken, war-torn city, but streets ruled by peace, walls built of salvation, and gates that never need to close (Isaiah 60:17-18).

At the center of this transformation is a Spirit-filled servant. He comes proclaiming the “year of the Lord’s favor” (Isaiah 61:1-2). This is the year of Jubilee—a year God specified in which slaves were freed and land was returned to its original owners (Leviticus 25:8-55). And just as Jubilee restored what was lost, this servant would return what was lost in exile. He will replace ashes with beauty, mourning with joy, and despair with praise (Isaiah 61:3). 

But God will not just restore his people through his Servant—he will elevate them. Everything will be upgraded. Gold and silver will replace bronze and iron, peace and praise will replace violence and ruin, and God’s everlasting light will replace the sun and moon (Isaiah 60:17-20). Even Israel’s name and marriage covenant with God will change. Instead of being called “Deserted” or “Forsaken,” they will be called “Sought After” and “Holy People” (Isaiah 62:12). And unlike a marriage covenant that ends at death, Israel’s union with God will be an everlasting covenant. He will rejoice over them as a groom rejoices over his bride, and they will delight in their new home together (Isaiah 62:4-5).

There is no darkness, no exile, no ruin of Israel that will keep God from building his new city of light, marrying his people, and drawing all nations to himself.

Where is the Gospel?

One night, the light of God’s city broke through the darkness. This light was not from the sun or moon, but from heaven itself as hosts of angels announced that God had come to earth as a child (Luke 2:8-14). At the birth of Jesus, the foundation of the city Isaiah pictured was laid in a manger. A heavenly light drew foreign kings from distant lands who brought their treasures and worship to the one who would rescue all nations from darkness (Matthew 2:1-11).  

When Jesus grew up, he stood in a synagogue and read the words of the Spirit-filled Servant. He told his hearers that with his coming the Jubilee of God’s new city had begun (Luke 4:16-21). Jesus the Servant would release captives, not just from exile, but from sin and death. He would restore his people not to a land but to an eternal home with God (John 14:2-3). And Jesus doesn’t just announce this good news—he accomplishes it. In his death, resurrection, and ascension, Jesus proved that nothing, not even death, can stop him from building this city (Matthew 28:18; Acts 13:32-33). No exile or death will keep him from his people (Romans 8:38-39).

Through the Spirit that filled Jesus, this new city of light is breaking into our world and transforming nations. People from every tribe, language, and culture are coming to Jesus, bringing their gifts, worship, and allegiance (Revelation 5:9-10). Through the Spirit, Jesus is united with his people in an everlasting marriage covenant that not even death can terminate (Romans 8:1-11; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:17). And when Jesus returns, we will see our Groom face to face (Revelation 22:4). He will be our everlasting light and night will be no more (Revelation 21:23). He will bring us to his new city where the gates are never shut (Revelation 21:25-26). He will host us at his wedding feast and delight in us forever (Revelation 19:7-9).

See for Yourself

I pray that the Holy Spirit opens your eyes to see the God who brings light to our darkness and Jubilee to exiled people. And may you see Jesus as the Servant who will gather people from all nations to enjoy his light and love forever.