6 Dec. Isaiah prophesies the restoration of Jerusalem
“Jerusalem, get up and shine, because your light has come, and the glory of the LORD shines on you. Darkness now covers the earth; deep darkness covers her people. But the LORD shines on you, and people see his glory around you. Nations will come to your light; kings will come to the brightness of your sunrise.”
“Look around you. People are gathering and coming to you. Your sons are coming from far away, and your daughters are coming with them. When you see them, you will shine with happiness; you will be excited and full of joy, because the wealth of the nations across the seas will be given to you; the riches of the nations will come to you.”
“Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels from Midian and Ephah. People will come from Sheba bringing gold and incense, and they will sing praises to the LORD. All the sheep from Kedar will be given to you; the rams from Nebaioth will be brought to you. They will be pleasing sacrifices on my altar, and I will make my beautiful Temple more beautiful.”
“The people are returning to you like clouds, like doves flying to their nests. People in faraway lands are waiting for me. The great trading ships will come first, bringing your children from faraway lands, and with them silver and gold. This will honour the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, who does wonderful things for you.”
“Jerusalem, foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you. When I was angry, I hurt you, but now I want to be kind to you and comfort you. Your gates will always be open; they will not be closed day or night so the nations can bring their wealth to you, and their kings will be led to you. The nation or kingdom that doesn’t serve you will be destroyed; it will be completely ruined.”
“The great trees of Lebanon will be given to you: its pine, fir and cypress trees together. You will use them to make my Temple beautiful, and I will give much honour to this place where I rest my feet.”
“The people who have hurt you will bow down to you; those who hated you will bow down at your feet. They will call you The City of the LORD, Jerusalem, city of the Holy One of Israel.”
(Isaiah 60:1-14)
Towards the end of the Book of Isaiah, the writer foretold the restoration of the City of Zion (Jerusalem). After their time of exile in Babylon, the people of Judah would return and re-build the city, and the glory of God (the ‘Shekinah’) would once again radiate from the Temple:
“Jerusalem, get up and shine, because your light has come, and the glory of the LORD shines on you. Darkness now covers the earth; deep darkness covers her people. But the LORD shines on you, and people see his glory around you. Nations will come to your light; kings will come to the brightness of your sunrise.” (Isaiah 60:1-3)
Jerusalem would become a great trading city once again. “Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels from Midian and Ephah. People will come from Sheba, bringing gold and incense.” (Isaiah 60:6)
Nations would line up again to trade with Israel. “People in faraway lands are waiting for me. The great trading ships ('ships of Tarshish') will come first, bringing your children from faraway lands, and with them silver and gold.” (Isaiah 60:9)
And finally, the radiant presence of the LORD (the ‘glory’ or ‘Shekinah’) would return to Jerusalem. “The sun will no longer be your light during the day nor will the brightness from the moon be your light, because the LORD will be your light for ever, and your God will be your glory.” (Isaiah 60:19-20) (See also Revelation 21:23 & 22:5.)
In fulfilment of these prophesies, the first group of exiles returned to Jerusalem in 537BC (see Ezra 1:1-11) and the restored Temple was finally completed in 516BC (see Ezra 6:13-15).
The photo (by Ester Inbar) shows the flea market in the Old City of Jerusalem.
You can read more from the final chapters of the Book of Isaiah (Chapters 61-66) @ The Bible Journey | The LORD's blessing will rest on Jerusalem