The fourth turn (Isaiah 60:15-18) describes the glorification of Zion through the growth and stability of its community both without and within. A glorious change takes place in the church, not only in itself, but also in the judgment of the nations. "Whereas thou wast forsaken, and hated, and no one walked through thee, I make thee now into eternal splendour, a rapture from generation to generation. And thou suckest the milk of nations, and the breast of kings thou wilt suck, and learn that I Jehovah am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob." Of the two ideas of a church (the mother of Israel) and a city (Metropolis) involved in the term Zion, the former prevails in Isaiah 60:15, the latter in Isaiah 60:16. For although עזוּבה and שׂנוּאה are equally applicable to a city and a church (Isaiah 54:6, Isaiah 54:11), the expression "no one walked through thee" applies only to the desolate city as she lay in ruins (see Isaiah 34:10). The fusion of the two ideas in Isaiah 60:15 is similar to Isaiah 49:21. Jerusalem will now become thoroughly a splendour, and in fact an eternal splendour, a rapture of successive generations so long as the history of this world continues. The nations and their kings give up their own vital energy to the church, just as a mother or nurse gives the milk of her breasts to a child; and the church has thereby rich food for a prosperous growth, and a constant supply of fresh material for grateful joy. We cannot for a moment think of enriching by means of conquest, as Hitzig does; the sucking is that of a child, not of a vampyre. We should expect melâkhōth (Isaiah 49:23) instead of melâkhı̄m (kings); but by שׁד (as in Isaiah 56:11 for שׁדי) the natural character of what is promised is intentionally spiritualized. The figure proves itself to be only a figure, and requires an ideal interpretation. The church sees in all this the gracious superintendence of her God; she learns from experience that Jehovah is her Saviour, that He is her Redeemer, He the Mighty One of Jacob, who has conquered for her, and now causes her to triumph (אני כּי with munach yethib, as in Isaiah 49:26, which passage is repeated almost verbatim here, and Isaiah 61:8).

Isaiah 60:21 Parallel Commentaries

people

Isaiah 4:3,4 And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remains in Jerusalem, shall be called holy...

Isaiah 51:2 Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah that bore you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.

Isaiah 62:4 You shall no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall your land any more be termed Desolate: but you shall be called Hephzibah...

Zechariah 14:20,21 In that day shall there be on the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD...

2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.

Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defiles, neither whatever works abomination, or makes a lie...

inherit

Psalm 37:11,22 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace...

Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Revelation 5:10 And have made us to our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Revelation 21:7 He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

the branch

Isaiah 29:23 But when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in the middle of him, they shall sanctify my name...

Isaiah 43:7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yes, I have made him.

Isaiah 45:11 Thus said the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons...

Isaiah 61:3 To appoint to them that mourn in Zion, to give to them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning...

Psalm 92:13 Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.

Matthew 15:13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father has not planted, shall be rooted up.

John 15:2 Every branch in me that bears not fruit he takes away: and every branch that bears fruit, he purges it...

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.

that I

Isaiah 43:21 This people have I formed for myself; they shall show forth my praise.

Isaiah 44:23 Sing, O you heavens; for the LORD has done it: shout, you lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, you mountains...

Isaiah 49:3 And said to me, You are my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.

Ephesians 1:6,12 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he has made us accepted in the beloved...

Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

2 Thessalonians 1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints...