Both the words ARISE and SHINE in Isaiah 60:1 are indicative of a change. The good news is that the change is a positive one. They both connote improved standard of life, particularly in line with God’s plan as revealed through Prophet Jeremiah and also Apostle Paul: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”; “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth”.
The book of Isaiah is full of prophecies given by Isaiah as received from God. Many of Isaiah’s prophecies given in earlier chapters were unpalatable to the Israelites as these described the imminent wrath, judgment and punishment of God that would come on the people as a result of their disobedience to God,
His laws and their general decadence. In particular, there were prophecies about various woes upon the unfaithful Israel, that would lead to unpleasant outcomes such as the one described in Isaiah. 29:4: “And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust”.v
Against these backdrop of downcast, dejected and depressive status of Zion, Isaiah also pronounced many blessings that would accrue to those that have contrite and repentant heart and humble spirit who would be obedient to the Lord of Light and follow His statues.
I was glad when they said to me, «Let's go to Yahweh's house!» Our feet are standing within your gates, Jerusalem; Jerusalem, that is built as a city that is compact together; where the tribes go up, even Yah's tribes, according to an ordinance for Israel, to give thanks to the name of Yahweh. For there are set thrones for judgment, the thrones of David's house. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Those who love you will prosper. Peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your palaces. For my brothers' and companions' sakes, I will now say, «Peace be within you.» For the sake of the house of Yahweh our God, I will seek your good.
Praise Yah! Praise God in his sanctuary! Praise him in his heavens for his acts of power! Praise him for his mighty acts! Praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet! Praise him with harp and lyre! Praise him with tambourine and dancing! Praise him with stringed instruments and flute! Praise him with loud cymbals! Praise him with resounding cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise Yah! Praise Yah!
His foundation is in the holy mountains. Yahweh loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken about you, city of God. I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me. Behold, Philistia, Tyre, and also Ethiopia: «This one was born there.» Yes, of Zion it will be said, «This one and that one was born in her;» the Most High himself will establish her. Yahweh will count, when he writes up the peoples, «This one was born there.» Those who sing as well as those who dance say, «All my springs are in you.»
