Isaiah 60:14-18 – Blessings on God’s People
From the four directions, people from the nations shall come and be part of the people of God. Some of these are former oppressors. They, whose fathers hated, oppressed, and sought to destroy the people of God, come to give honour and submission to Him Who is in the midst of His people, the Lord Jesus Christ.
At the time of Isaiah’s writing, Jerusalem was not a place of joy, and it would only get worse, due to the sin of the people. We might think of the ruins of Jerusalem that lay there for years until the end of the Exile, or of the ruins after AD 70 when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem. However, God, in Christ, has brought and is bringing many into His people from the nations round about, and shall return the Jews, as Paul teaches in Romans 11. In those days no longer will people ignore or scorn the people of God. Rather they shall throng in, and joy shall replace hatred and scorn.
People of many nations will come in through the preaching of the gospel. Those of high degree, as kings and queens, shall lovingly nourish and protect the Church, serving Jesus in their official capacity. It is all done by, through, and for the Redeemer.
In verse 17 we see a long string of substitutions – better for worse. The best that Israel has had would be far surpassed by that which would come. Jesus has come, His work is accomplished, His gospel goes forth and transforms the nations, so that the riches of the people of God are far more than that of old.
The overseers are the elders of the church. They preach and teach the gospel of peace, they promote peace among the brethren, and they bear the fruit of the Spirit which is peace. The taskmasters are the magistrates, the civil rulers. The promise here is of rulers that lovingly nourish and protect the people of God. They rule not for riches or power. Rather, they seek to do what is right, good, and true according to God’s Word, the standard of righteousness. They are properly submitted to the King of kings.
In verse 18, God’s precious people, so often oppressed and persecuted, sometimes due to their sin, have a promise of better things. The walls are a salvation that cannot be breached and cannot be wrecked. It is strong, immovable, and firm because it is secured by the finished work of Jesus Christ, once for all, at the cross. It does not depend on us. The gates, where the gospel goes in and out, are praise — praise from new hearts, praise to the God of grace who has saved!
Question
- What blessings are listed here?
Prayer Points
- Pray that God would build His church in a mighty way.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.