Text. Isia.61
1 Arise, shine;
For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.
The Jews were in exile for many years. Isaiah prophesied their triumphant resurrection after their long period of exile. He used the term “Arise” which means to get up from the dust. Even more, the chapter is prophetic. It looks far beyond their present moment and sees the time when the church of God will rise out of the exile, subjugation, and domination of Israel to be a recognized presence among men.
Shine, in this context, means “to be enlightened to enlighten.” The day of their imminent return to better times was approaching. Yet in their rising, they are told to “Shine” not in the context of showing off but in a way that enlightens others to the glory of the Lord.
Darkness covers the earth, thick (gross) darkness upon the people. Those outsides of the knowledge of God often see the darkness of current conditions and even get pessimistic about people in general, seeing only their dark side. It is described as “thick” darkness, implying that no light was shining anywhere. But the glory of the Lord hovers over the people of God in that they continuously see hope even in difficult times because the glory
of the Lord shines upon them. The people of the world, represented by the term “nations” will take note of the power and spirit of believers and will be drawn to God as they witness what he does for his people. Isia.60:
15 “Whereas you have been forsaken and hated, So that no one went through you, I will make you an eternal excellence, A joy of many generations. Eph.5
14 Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.
Jesus our Light
12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” Lk1.
78 it is Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;
79 To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Conclusion.
Mal 4.
2 But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves. And no inhabitant [of Zion] will say, I am sick; the people who dwell there will be forgiven their iniquity and guilt. Isia. 33:24
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
Then shall the lame man leap like a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.
And the burning sand and the mirage shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt of jackals, where they lay resting, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. Isia. 35: 5-7
Isia 60.
19 “The sun shall no longer be your light by day, Nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you, But the LORD will be to you an everlasting light, And your God your glory.
