Isaiah 60

Wesley: arise out of a low and comfortless condition; shine with a full and heavenly light. Thy light is the light of the gospel; the glory is the glorious God.

Zion can still get up. The light has come—sincerely held out—so shine is a genuine command under grace.

Calvin: he raises a prostrate Church by command, as if putting her in possession of the happier condition he promised. Words are not scattered in the air. Arise stands against the former lie down. Brightness denotes salvation; it will arise from God’s smiling countenance.

He speaks with effect. Everything goes well when the Lord shines; when he turns away, nothing more wretched can befall us. The glory is his, risen upon the Church he lifts.

Wesley: darkness is a thick cloud of ignorance and idolatry; upon thee, O Jerusalem, the church of God.

The earth’s dark is no illusion, and so is the rising on Zion. Gentiles still sit in that cloud until they come to the light (v. 3). The glory seen upon the church is gospel-wide. The invitation to walk out of thick darkness remains sincere.

Calvin: by comparison he shows how extraordinary the privilege of the elect is. While the world sinks, God takes care of his people. This brightness is not indiscriminately enjoyed. Do not judge the Church’s condition from outward appearance; the discourse relates to spiritual light.

Never was there a period when all Gentiles were in affliction while Jews enjoyed mere political peace. The happiness promised is different from meat and drink. These things relate to Christ’s spiritual kingdom, when gospel light shone and foreign nations were enlightened. We are in darkness till God shines with the testimony of adoption. The Church alone partakes of this brightness.

Wesley: Gentiles—all nations. Kings as well as common people walk to the brightness.

The light is Zion’s because the gospel went out from Jerusalem (Isa 2:3). Nations come—they are not pushed as scenery. Coming is an approach under grace, the same house of prayer for all peoples (56:7). Wesley and Calvin both read gospel nations here.

Calvin: no other light of men but when the Lord shines by his word. This grace is supernatural, distinguished from nature by the repeated upon thee. It comes from God alone; all are not indiscriminately partakers, only the elect. This is done by Christ, the Sun of Righteousness (Mal 4:2).

The daybreak was first in Judea; the lamp was kindled at Jerusalem. There is no light but from the doctrine of the prophets. Kings are named so we may not imagine only the common people come. The Church shines by borrowed light, as the moon from the sun.

Wesley: from far—from the most distant parts of the earth. Sons and daughters are the returning family, not a census of one ethnicity only.

Lift up and see is a command to believe what is coming. Gathering is the Lord’s, and coming is theirs. Restoration after exile is the first frame; the wider church is the same gathering of 56:8—yet others besides those already gathered.

Calvin: a variety of expressions confirms an incredible restoration. The Jews were to look above human thought, round about, nations from every quarter united in one body. Not only an end of dispersion, but a wonderful revolution: strangers and dispersed united. The Church extends to the farthest boundaries.

Both sons and daughters run to the Church—at home and abroad. The womb is not limited to a corner of the world. Do not fix eyes on the outward condition or you cannot obtain the fruit of these promises.

Wesley: see with delight; overflow with vast increase; fear—or worship; enlarged with inward joy. Sea-abundance and nations’ wealth are tribute to the Lord who beautifies Zion, not a license for greed.

The heart’s thrill is worship. Nations bringing wealth is the consecration of their powers (v. 6), the same spiritual sacrifices of converted peoples. Zion first; then every church that sees the nations come.

Calvin: he spoke as present to the eyes of faith; now as future so believers may exercise patience. Thou shalt shine or overflow—joy that fills the Church, or the ornament with which she dazzles. Trembling is astonishment at unexpected honor, agreeing with joy.

When he says the Church shall be enriched, this must not be understood of persons’ luxury. Because of the unity of Head and members, what belongs to God and Christ is transferred to the Church. Foolishly do some devour the earth’s riches under this prophecy; papists torture it for magnificence. All will consecrate whatever they have.

Wesley: they bring gold and frankincense—Matthew 2:11 is a first drop of this rain, not the whole cistern. Praises of the Lord are the cargo. Midian, Ephah, Sheba are named nations walking to the light.

Magi at the manger show the nations already on the road. Good news and praises are what Sheba was always for. The point is worship arriving from afar.

Calvin describes figuratively, accommodating to time and customary ceremonies, that under figures he might describe spiritual worship. He mentions camels, frankincense, gold, sheep according to what each country produces: all will consecrate to God whatever they have. We cannot be converted without offering all our faculties as spiritual sacrifices (1 Pet 2:5; Rom 12:1).

Papists heap every gold-and-incense text onto the magi’s gifts and onto Roman luxury. The Prophet means that everywhere men shall call upon God, and foreigners assemble to worship him. Wicked men abuse gifts; good men dedicate them.

Wesley: Kedar—Arabians, a heathenish people. Minister—as they did Solomon. Come up as a sacrifice acceptable. House—the temple, or my church.

Acceptance is the Lord’s word, the same as 56:7. Former outsiders now minister at God’s house. Beautifying the house is God’s work; the flocks are their offering. Names (Kedar, Nebaioth) keep the text from becoming a slogan.

Calvin: Kedar and Nebaioth point east, Arabia and neighbors. Sacrifices shall ascend to the good pleasure of the altar—acceptable, distinguished from profane Gentile offerings without faith. Three things: they lift the heart on high; they are acceptable; they are on the altar which alone sanctifies (Matt 23:19).

Christ is the altar; on him we offer. Glorifying the house is true restoration; God reigns among us. This was not completed immediately after the return (Haggai, Malachi). Dignity was manifested when God opened heaven to Jerusalem and called the Gentiles to salvation.

Wesley: metaphors of great flocks of converts flying to the church with great speed and in great numbers.

The question is astonishment, not doubt. Cloud and doves are people coming, as 56:8 gathered yet others. Speed and number are the gospel’s ordinary miracle when the light has risen. Zion is told to look, not to delay them with a chart.

Calvin cannot satisfy himself and breaks into admiration: Who are those? More forcible than a count. Some think of apostles making their way to the world’s end (Mark 16:15); he speaks of a universal assemblage. From every quarter men run readily. Doves: scattered they seem untamed, yet they have a house to which they fly.

Believers, enlightened by faith, perceive their assembly and fly from frightful dispersion. Necessary warning: if prophets gained little from Jews, what from Gentiles alienated from God? He is filled with amazement that we may admire it.

Wesley: Tarshish—the sea-faring men. Coastlands hope; ships bring children, silver, and gold for the Name, because he has made Zion beautiful.

Hope for me is the nations’ waiting, the same far-off peace of 57:19. Beauty is God’s gift, not Zion’s makeup. Children from afar are the point; metal is cargo for the Name.

Calvin: islands shall wait—observe my will, as servants comply. Ships of Tarshish, once proud, shall be subjected and bring sons from distant countries. Silver and gold are a sacred offering to God, not the Church’s prey. Nothing should be desired more than that the world bow to God’s authority.

God himself promises he will glorify thee, lest believers ascribe it to merits. Papists display luxury and claim the Spirit as author of that wickedness; Jews rise at gold and cannot raise understandings to heaven. Such stupidity needs little refutation. God intends to elevate his Church and adorn her with necessary ornaments—for his name.