Good day Beloved of God in Christ Jesus. It’s another brand new day.
We give glory to God for the privilege of life and for His unending mercy and grace upon us always. Praise God!
STUDYING AND UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE – PART 462
Isaiah Chapter 60 concluded…
Previously, we opened the 60th Chapter by looking into how Prophet Isaiah prophesied about the coming together of both the Jews and the Gentiles and forming a new family of believers under one umbrella of Christ Jesus, where we have the slogan: One fold, one Shepherd.
And he used a metaphorical expression to inform us to arise and shine for our Light (the knowledge of God in Christ) has come to illuminate our hearts.
We take that Light and shine it also in the hearts of men all over the world so that they too can experience Him.
This is exactly what God did in Genesis when He declared: Let there be Light and when Light showed up, darkness disappeared and there was orderliness.
Genesis 1:1-3
[1]In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
[2]And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
[3]And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
The above is exactly what happens at Salvation.
When Isaiah says we should arise, shine…
He was actually advising us to respond to the Light of Salvation that God provides for us in Christ.
One thing is for God to make provision for Salvation and another thing is for man to respond and receive Him.
The remaining part of Isaiah 60 is simply talking about restoration that comes with receiving and shining in that Light of God’s Salvation.
Isaiah 60:17
[17]For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness.
Note: in the above verse, Isaiah was not talking about physical brass and gold. That statement was symbolic.
I made a quick check on the Hebrew transliteration for brass and what I found will amaze you.
The Hebrew transliteration for brass is called (nechôsheth) and figuratively represents:
👉chain
👉fetter.
👉filthiness
While the Hebrew transliteration for Gold is called (zâhâb), pronounced as /zaw-hawb/
It was figuratively used by Isaiah to mean:
👉a fair weather.
👉brilliance, splendour.
👉Something of divine nature.
In other words, Isaiah was saying God shines His Light (Salvation) upon the heart of men to break shackles, chains and filthiness of sin and liberate them into His divine nature – a new nature of God, an eternal Life of splendor. Total freedom.
The same thing applies to Iron (stubbornness or rigidity) and Silver (redemption).
Unfortunately, when many people read this portion, they will be expecting God to give them physical Gold or wealth. The verse is not talking about material wealth at all. It’s simply about the spiritual state of man from sinful state to a state of righteousness. If you need wealth, you’ve got to work for it. You need to create solutions that solve man’s problem and wealth will come in return.
Isaiah only used those symbols because they were the common items they were using in those days. If Isaiah was a nigerian, he would have used different symbols to convey his message.
Now, let’s continue…
[18] Threats of violence will no longer be heard in your land, nor will destruction and ruin be found within your borders. You will name your walls Salvation and your gates Praise.
[19] “The sun will no longer be needed to brighten the day, nor the moon to shine at night, for Yahweh will be your unfailing light; your God will be your glory!
[20] There will be no more sunsets or new moons, for Yahweh will be your everlasting light and your days of sadness will be over.
John has something to say about Isaiah’s statement in 1 John 1:5-7
[5]This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
[6]If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
[7]But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Let’s continue with Isaiah…
[21] All your people will be righteous and will permanently possess the land. I planted them there as a tender sapling, the work of my own hands to display my glory.
[22] I will multiply the least of you into a thousand and the weakest one into a mighty nation. I am Yahweh, and when the right time comes, I will accomplish it swiftly!”
When the right time came truly, Christ manifested and did a perfect job for our redemption.
To be continued…Praise God.
Our prayers for everyone on this platform: By the authority in the name of Jesus Christ,
👉In your journey to fulfilling your destiny in life, you will not stumble, God Himself will continue to be your Light, in Jesus name.
👉The Holy Spirit will direct your path for you to arrive at that goal successfully, in Jesus name.
👉I decree peace and comfort upon you and your family, in Jesus name.
Bible readings for today: Luke Chapters 16, 17 & 18 with Ecclesiastes 3
I call you blessed now and always.
Friday July 3, 2020 (DDMI)
