Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 60:21
Thy people also [shall be] all righteous: they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.
21, 22. The community, composed exclusively of righteous persons, shall possess the land for ever; and Jehovah shall be glorified in them.
inherit ] Better: possess.
the branch of my planting ] i.e. “which I have planted.” Cf. ch. Isa 61:3. The word for branch denotes strictly a “shoot”; so also in ch. Isa 11:1, Isa 14:19. For the figure cf. ch. Isa 5:7.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Thy people also shall be all righteous – (See the notes at Isa 4:2).
They shall inherit the land for ever – (See the notes at Isa 49:8; Isa 54:3; compare Isa 65:9; Mat 5:5).
The branch of my planting – On the meaning of the word branch, see the notes at Isa 11:1; Isa 14:19. Here it means a scion or shoot which Yahweh had planted, and which had sprung up under his culture. Grotius supposes it means posterity. The idea seems to be, that they would inherit the land and all which would grow up under the culture of the hand of Yahweh.
The work of my hands – The language here is taken from the cultivation of the land of Canaan; but the sense is, that the church would inherit all that God had done for its welfare. Applied to the work of redemption, it means that the result of all the labors, self-denials, and sacrifices of the Redeemer, become the inheritance of the church. The comforts, joys, hopes, consolations of his people are the fruit of his self-denial, the work of his hands, and they are permitted to enjoy it all – as if God should cultivate a fruitful field and give the avails entirely to them.
That I may be glorified – (See Isa 49:3; Isa 61:3; the notes at Isa 42:8; Isa 43:7). God would be glorified in having made so ample provision for their welfare, and in their being made happy by him. He is always glorified when others enjoy the fruits of his benevolence, and when they are made pure and happy as the result of his purposes and plans.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Isa 60:21
Thy people also shall be all righteous
The people of God considered as righteous
I.
AS THEY ARE ALL INTERESTED IN THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST JESUS.
II. AS BY THE INFLUENCES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, THEY HAVE AN INHERENT RIGHTEOUSNESS WROUGHT IN THEM.
III. BY ABOUNDING IN WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS TO THE PRAISE AND GLORY OF GOD. Here two cautions are necessary, to prevent mistakes.
1. Virtuous actions do not constitute a person inherently righteous, but declare him so; as good fruit is rather a declaration of the goodness of the tree, than the thing which constitutes that goodness. Therefore,
2. Virtuous actions cannot be said to be necessary to salvation, in the same sense in which inherent holiness is so. It is possible that, where holiness is implanted, life may be so quickly taken away that there shall be no room for its discovering itself by the outward behaviour. Taking these cautions along with us, the necessity of works of righteousness, though not as a ground of our justification, yet, as an evidence of it, can never be too strongly asserted. Every motive, whether from interest or gratitude, whether from the beauty of religion or the pleasures of a virtuous life, still remains in full force. We further observe, that the reward of saints hereafter shall bear some proportion to their progress in holiness here below. (J. Erskine, D. D.)
A righteous people
The prophet here predicts the elevation of the Church to its normal or ideal state, a change of which we may already see the rudiments, however far we may get from its final consummation. (J. A. Alexander.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 21. Of my planting] mattai; so, with the Keri, read forty-four MSS. (seven ancient) and six editions; with which agree the Syriac, Chaldee, and Vulgate.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Thy people also shall be all righteous, i.e. the greater part; the word in this use hath been shown frequently; or, altogether righteous, completely righteous. As this respects the Jews, the sense may be, they went into captivity wicked, but most of them being dead, and many of the survivors tarrying behind, they that are returned are said to be righteous, Isa 1:25-27; 4:4; but principally as it respects the church, they shall be all saints, either by profession, as Paul calls them frequently saints by calling; or rather by an inherent righteousness, or perfectly by the imputed righteousness of Christ: See Poole “Isa 35:8“.
They shall inherit the land for ever, i.e. for a long time, as you have many instances; and this is spoken, lest that poor remnant should be afraid of being driven out again; but with reference to the church, that they should for ever be continued as Gods peculiar people.
The branch of my planting; put by apposition, viz. Thy people being of my planting, and so also the next clause, the
work of my hands, and therefore cannot miscarry, being what I shall take delight in; and thus the children of God are said to be his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, Eph 2:10.
That I may be glorified; either that I may make them glorious in being thus planted, or myself glorious in thus planting them.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
21. all righteous (Isa 4:3;Isa 52:1; Rev 21:27).
inherit . . . land(Isa 49:8; Isa 54:3;Isa 65:9; Psa 37:11;Psa 37:22; Mat 5:5).
branch of my planting(Isa 61:3; Psa 92:13;Mat 15:13).
work of my handstheconverted Israelites (Isa 29:23;Isa 45:11).
that I may be glorifiedthefinal end of all God’s gracious dealings (Isa 49:3;Isa 61:3).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Thy people also shall be all righteous,…. That is, the church’s people, or the members of the church; otherwise the Lord’s people, who are truly so, always were, and ever will be, all righteous; but so have not always been the members of the churches; when Israel was the church of God, they were not all righteous; there was only a remnant among them, according to the election of grace, that were so; nor in the first Christian churches were they all such, there was a Judas among Christ’s disciples; Ananias and Sapphira in the church at Jerusalem; and many in the church of Corinth, very disorderly and irregular; and so in all others; and in all ages since there are foolish virgins among the wise, tares among the wheat, and chaff among the corn on the floor; yea, even in the spiritual reign of Christ they will not be all truly gracious; some that will have only a form of godliness, and who, at the close of it, will be the greater number, and will form the lukewarm Laodicean state; but in the personal reign of Christ all the members of the church will be righteous, through the righteousness of Christ imputed to them: it will be a congregation of righteous persons, and not one sinner shall stand in it; yea, they shall be inherently righteous, perfectly holy, and free from sin; none shall enter into this state that defiles; every pot and vessel in Jerusalem shall be holiness to the Lord, Ps 1:5. The Jews o have a saying, that the son of David comes not but in an age in which men will be all righteous, or all wicked; in an age in which they will be all righteous, according to Isa 60:21, but this designs not his first, but his second coming:
they shall inherit the land for ever; not the land of Canaan only; though perhaps that may be the spot on which Christ will descend, and where he will reside; where he was treated with contempt and crucified, here he will reign, and reign gloriously; and the rather, since, when he comes with all his saints, his feet will stand upon the mount of Olives, Zec 14:4 but the new earth is meant, which John saw, and Peter says the saints expect, according to promise, in which righteousness men perfectly righteous shall dwell, and none but they, Re 21:1 as also it may include a better country, the land afar off, the heavenly glory, which will be the inheritance of the saints to all eternity:
the branch of my planting; in Christ by election grace; in the likeness of his death and resurrection by redemption grace; and as branches in him, the Vine, by effectual calling grace; and in his church, through the ministry of the word; all which will appear true and real; and that they are plants of the Lord’s planting, by their being in this church state, even in the paradise of God, near to the tree of life, the fruit of which they will always partake of:
the work of my hands; the workmanship of God, curiously wrought by him; the effect of his mighty power; wholly his own work and not another’s; and entirely owing to his great love, abundant mercy, and rich grace; as will be evident in this state; this being the day of the Lord unto which it is performed, and become perfect; and there will be no more doubts of that matter:
that I may be glorified; as he will be then in all them that believe; and by these characters which they bear, and are to be ascribed to his power, grace, and righteousness; Christ, and he alone, will be exalted; he will reign before his ancients gloriously, until he delivers up the kingdom; and then God, Father, Son, and Spirit, will be all in all.
o T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 98. 1.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The next v. shows how deep was his consciousness of the close connection between darkness, wrath, and sin. “And thy people, they are all righteous; they possess the land for ever, a sprout of my plantations, a work of my hands for glorification.” The church of the new Jerusalem consists of none but righteous ones, who have been cleansed from guilt, and keep themselves henceforth pure from sinning, and therefore possess the land of promise for ever, without having to fear repeated destruction and banishment: a “sprout” ( netser as in Isa 11:1; Isa 14:19; Arab. nadr , the green branch) “of my plantations” ( chethib, erroneously or ), i.e., of my creative acts of grace (cf., Isa 5:7), a “work of my hands” (cf., Isa 19:25), “to glorify me,” i.e., in which I possess that in which I glory ( as in Isa 61:3).
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
21. Thy people also are all righteous. Here he shows what is the true establishment of the Church; namely, when she is purged of the ungodly, and none but righteous men have a place in her. Yet we know that, in the Church, hypocrites have always been mingled with the true children of God. We have said that this is a description of the whole reign of Christ, not such as it shall be at any one moment, but in its perfection. Christ began to do this at his coming, when he purged the Church. Hence also he calls the Church “a sieve,” (Mat 3:12) because by means of it the chaff is separated from the wheat; but he goes on from day to day in purifying it, and will go on till the day of harvest. Yet there must be much rubbish mixed with the wheat, which shall at length be removed on that day. Besides, there is an implied contrast between this people and that irreligious and unholy multitude which, by its defilement, had polluted the sanctuary of God. The use of the plural number appears to denote an assemblage of nations, when he says that all the peoples shall be righteous.
They shall inherit the land for ever. I have no doubt that, in these words, the Prophet had his eye on Judea, and indirectly contrasted the time of restoration with the time of the captivity which was immediately at hand; as if he had said, “Though I drive out my people from their inheritance, yet after seventy years I will restore them, that they may possess it for ever.” Besides, it ought to be observed that, when he limits to the “righteous” that promise which related to the people of Zion, there is implied a sort of correction, in order to exclude hypocrites, who falsely and unwarrantably are wont to appropriate to themselves what is said about the true children of God.
This sentiment, therefore, agrees with these words, “How good is God to Israel, to those who are of an upright heart!” in which the Psalmist claims the name of “Israel,” which all without exception had in their mouth, as belonging to none but God’s sincere worshippers. (Psa 73:1) Such is the import, in this passage, of the phrase, “Thy people,” that is, the remaining portion which shall have been purged from its defilement. This was not, in every respect, fulfilled in the Jews; but a beginning was made with them, when they were restored to their native country, that, by their agency, the possession of the whole earth might afterwards be given to them, that is, to the children of God. For as he formerly spoke of the restoration of the temple, which was not complete at Jerusalem, but must be extended throughout the whole world, so the possession of this land must not be limited to Judea, since it is more extensive, and all men are called to it, that by faith they may be children of Abraham, and may thus become heirs of it. (Gal 4:28)
We must therefore observe carefully those modes of expression which are customary among the prophets, that we, nay understand their meaning, and not break off sentences, or torture them to meanings different from what was intended. Exceedingly unnatural and inconsistent with the style of the prophets is the interpretation of those who explain “the land” to mean heaven and the blessed life; for the land of Canaan was given to the children of God with this intention, that, being separated from the whole world, and having become God’s heritage, they might worship him there in a right manner; and consequently, to dwell in the land by right of inheritance means nothing else than to remain in the family of God.
The branch of his planting. When God declares that a new “branch,” which shall come forth, shall be the work of his hands, this tends to confirm the hope; (163) for it was impossible, to human view, that the Church should spring up again, which all perceived to be dead, especially while the root was hidden. Thus, in order that it may spring up, he says that God will be like a husbandman, who plants anew that which had been torn up and was withered. In a word, he declares that it will be a wonderful work of God, and not of men, that the Church shall be rescued from a wretched and harsh captivity; for she shall be raised up as from the dead. And indeed all that relates to the heavenly life was neither produced in us by nature nor obtained by our own strength, but flows and proceeds from God alone. What is here said universally concerning the whole body every person ought to apply to himself in particular; for we are God’s “planting” before the world was made, (Eph 1:4,) and were afterwards ingrafted into Christ, and called, that we might have the testimony of our election and planting. Wicked men are not God’s planting; and therefore Christ declares that “they whom his heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up.” (Mat 15:13)
That I may be glorified. At length he adds the end of the “planting,” that we may celebrate the perfections of God, (1Pe 2:9) and may show forth his glory, as Paul beautifully explains. (Eph 1:12)
(163) “ Pour conformer l’esperance des fideles.” “To confirm the hope of believers.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(21) Thy people also shall be all righteous . . .The city is to realise the as yet unfulfilled ideal of Psalms 15 and Psa. 21:5 Evil will be blotted out, and, therefore, there will be no forfeiture of the inheritance. In the branch we have the words which had been prominent in Isa. 11:1, and which is now extended from the ideal representative of the nation to the whole body of the people.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
21. Thy people all righteous Because true disciples of the Lord. Isa 26:2.
They shall inherit the land Or, as St. Paul transforms the words, it shall be “the inheritance of the saints in light.” Jehovah’s desire is expressed that what he has planted, watered, and pruned, shall be gloriously productive. That I may be glorified, contains the idea of such desire.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘Your people also will be all righteous,
They will inherit the land for ever,
The branch of my planting, the work of my hands,
That I may be glorified.
The little one will become a thousand,
And the small one a strong nation,
I, Yahweh, will hasten it in its time.’
And this will be reflected in the people. They will be righteous, all of them. They will be the branch which He has planted, the work of His hands. Compare for the branch Isa 11:1 and Joh 15:1-6. They are the branches that come from the Branch. And they will inherit the everlasting land for ever. All with a view to Yahweh’s glory. Even the smallest planting will become a thousand, the tiniest will become a strong nation. It is a picture of fruitfulness and blessing, the Israelite ideal. And Yahweh will hasten this on once the set time comes.
So as we come to the end of this description of the future of God’s ‘Jerusalem’, of that ‘portion’ which He has set apart for Himself and which He has peopled with His own people, of that which sums up the future of His true people through the ages, culminating in the everlasting glory, we have Isaiah’s picture of the ideal future. We see in it his attempt, in the light of the limitations of his day, to portray the eternal triumph and the eternal glory. But Who will bring all this about? The answer is found in ‘the Anointed One’.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Isa 60:21-22. Thy people also shall be all righteous It was proper that the prophetic discourse, big with such excellent promises, should set forth the quality of the citizens of this blessed and fortunate city; for so many and excellent privileges cannot belong to any but the most faithful through divine grace. The prophet, therefore, teaches that the inhabitants of this city should be all righteous or just; where there can be no doubt that the righteousness of faith is meant; of living faith purifying the soul, sanctifying the affections, abounding in charity, and never separated from true holiness: so that they who are called righteous here, are the same who are elsewhere called holy. The following passages of our prophet are parallel to this; chap. Isa 4:3 Isa 33:24 Isa 35:8 Isa 52:1. See also Zec 14:20-21. The last clause of Isa 60:22 should be rendered, I the Lord will hasten it in its due or proper time. The meaning is, “that God would effect all these remarkable promises without delay, without impediment, by his own mighty power, contrary to all expectation, and would wisely provide all proper means for that end; like the child inclosed in the womb, at the destined time these great events shouldburst forth.” See ch. Isa 66:7. Vitringa closes his comment on this part of the prophesy with some excellent remarks, tending to prove the reference of this chapter particularly to some future and glorious state of the church after the conversion, of the Jews to the Christian faith, and the coming in of the fulness of the Gentiles; and he concludes thus, “However, all our care and endeavours should be, to behave ourselves worthy of so high a hope; and we should so form our lives and our manners, as rather to regard things present than future; neglecting no duty of a true citizen of the heavenly and spiritual Jerusalem, whereof we now profess ourselves members; that the expectation of the future may not deprive us of those blessings and privileges which God offers at present to all those who seriously and sincerely seek for his grace: in the mean time humbly and earnestly interceding with God, that his kingdom may come. Amen! Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”
REFLECTIONS.1st, The glory and increase of the church of Christ are here beautifully represented.
1. Great light and glory are bestowed on her: Arise, shine, for thy light is come, the light of the Gospel illuminating a benighted world, wakening up sinners from the sleep of spiritual death, and turning their misery into joy and gladness; for, the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee, Christ, the sun of righteousness, with healing in his wings, manifesting, in the most transcendant manner, the glory of God, in the pardon and salvation of the faithful. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; either when this light should break forth, it would be the more welcome and surprising, because of the darkness, ignorance, idolatry, and superstition, which every where prevailed; or it speaks the distinguishing privilege of those to whom the Gospel was preached, who, like Israel in Goshen, had light in their dwellings, while the rest of the world, to whom it has not come, or who have rejected it, are, like the land of Egypt, covered with darkness which may be felt, living under a most dark dispensation; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee, as it relied on the tabernacle in the pillar of a cloud and fire, not only protecting his church safely, but making her appear beautiful and glorious, the joy of the whole earth. Note; (1.) Without the light of the Gospel, the highest attainments of human wisdom are but folly and darkness. (2.) They who have seen Christ arising upon their souls in his glory, are bound to shine to his praise, and let their light appear before men, that they may take knowledge of them that they have been with Jesus.
2. A great increase of the church is promised. Allured by the Gospel word, and struck with the bright examples of believers, the Gentiles shall become converts, and bow down before Christ the Sun of Righteousness. On every side, behold, they flock together, as children to their parents, to be nursed with the sincere milk of the word. With pleasing surprise the church will behold this strange accession, and, in a transport of joy, receive the multitude of mariners, and armies of Gentile soldiers, that among others should be converted unto the truth. From Midian and Ephah they shall come in vast companies, riding on camels and dromedaries. From Sheba they shall bring gold and incense, see Mat 2:11 and shew forth the praises of the Lord, for his mercy in calling them to himself. The inhabitants of Kedar and Nebaioth, in Arabia, whose riches chiefly consisted in their flocks, shall offer up themselves and their substance to God, and through Christ their spiritual sacrifices shall be accepted, and God glorified in their conversion. As a cloud before the wind, and as the doves flying to their windows, so thick, unanimous, openly and eagerly, shall the Gentiles hasten into the church of God, while, with wonder and delight, the saints welcome them to their rest. Note; (1.) When our souls, like the dove, are weary with wandering, or pursued by our spiritual enemies as birds of prey, we must fly to Christ for shelter, and under the shadow of his wings shall be safe, and find a pleasing resting-place. (2.) It is among the chief delights of a soul that loves the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, to behold his kingdom established, and many converted unto him.
2nd, The same subject is here pursued as in the foregoing verses.
1. The church shall gain vast accessions of strength and wealth. The distant isles shall wait for, and welcome the Saviour; the ships of Tarshish readily convey the sons of God to Zion, the spiritual church, with all their riches, willingly offering themselves, and all they have, to be employed in his blessed service, as the grateful return for the grace and glory that he hath provided for them. The sons of strangers, such as were the Gentile nations, shall now greatly contribute to build up the church, and kings minister in the blessed work; as when Constantine, and other Christian emperors and kings, espoused the cause of truth, and as will be more eminently the case in the days to come. For in my wrath I smote thee; which may refer to the days of Pagan persecution, or to the prevailing power of antichrist, permitted for the coldness, formality, corruptions, and divisions, among God’s professing people: but in my favour have I had mercy on thee; as when under the Christian emperors the church enjoyed rest; and as will be the case when Christ, having subdued the oppressors of his people, will set up his kingdom universally in the world; and great will be the glory of it. As the cedars of Lebanon, and every beautiful tree, contributed to the splendor of the temple: so shall all those who by the Gospel are called into the church, by the purity and holiness of their lives, adorn their profession, and bring glory to God. Note; (1.) When the heart is truly given up to God, we shall liberally employ our wealth and influence in support of his cause. (2.) The highest honour of kings is to be ministers of good to Christ’s people.
2. Many of the enemies of the church shall become converts. Those who despised and afflicted the people of God shall be brought in deep humiliation to acknowledge their sin, and highly respect those whom they before insulted and abused. Thus the sufferings of the martyrs often confounded their persecutors; and many who have with bitter enmity opposed the Gospel, have been at last convinced by the word, and joined the people whom they had before reviled. And this will be more especially the case in the expected day of power and grace, when many Papists, Pagans, and Mahometans, will be turned from darkness unto light, and make open profession of the Gospel.
3. The gates of the church are open night and day continually; all are welcome to enter, and multitudes are daily coming in of all ranks and degrees: and this denotes the security in which they dwell, for none shall be suffered at this time to disturb their repose. Note; The gate of mercy in Christ is ever open, and sinners of every rank and degree are sure of admission into the city of God, whenever in faith and prayer they return to him.
4. Those who obstinately refuse the proffers of grace, and persist in their impenitence, must rue it. They will perish, and be utterly wasted, be they never so many, never so mighty. Note; They who bow not before the calls of grace, must be broken under the iron rod of vengeance. 2Th 1:8.
3rdly, What honour and respect should be paid to the church by those who were once enemies and persecutors, has been intimated above; and now we see what just reason there would appear for it.
1. Her excellence and beauty are gloriously established by the power and grace of the Saviour. Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated; to appearance, deserted of God, and the object of the world’s enmity; so that no man went through thee; a place unfrequented, like the ruins of Jerusalem, whither none went to worship: I will make thee an eternal excellency, to be had in the highest esteem, adorned with all the graces of the Spirit, brighter than robes of wrought gold; shining with gospel-light; beautiful in discipline, and in the dignity, decency, simplicity, and order of her worship: a joy of many generations; as long as time shall last, so long shall this churchthis blessed work of Godbe the joy of all its members on earth; and to eternity its glory will extend, when in heaven the collected body of the faithful redeemed shall for ever shine with their exalted Head; and this shall be done, that all the saints of God may acknowledge the power, grace, faithfulness, and love of the Lord their Saviour and Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob. Note; Despicable as the church of Christ and her poor members may now appear, they will shortly be seen in a different point of view, when all those who despised and hated them will wonder and perish.
2. Her riches will be great. Thou shalt suck the milk of the Gentiles, and the breast of kings; their richest treasures shall be offered to serve the interests of the church of Christ. The most precious metals shall be so plentiful that gold and silver will be as common as brass and iron, and iron and brass become as wood and stones; which some refer to the excellence of the Gospel dispensation above the Mosaical; and others, to the glory of the latter day, when in spiritual gifts and graces, and in purity of doctrine and discipline, the church will as much exceed its present state, as gold and silver do the baser metals.
3. The governors, whether civil or ecclesiastical, shall be men of justice and uprightness. No oppression will be committed, no injustice patronized; but the officers shall be men of peace, who seek to heal all differences, and accommodate every dispute; and the exactors, the tax-gatherers, who used to fleece the people, shall be righteousness, approve themselves with the greatest honesty and integrity.
4. All wars and rumours of wars shall cease, and persecution be at an end; and the most uninterrupted peace and prosperity will be established. Salvation, stronger than walls and bulwarks, shall keep the people of God safe from every enemy. All their gates, the places of concourse, shall be called praise, their assemblies continually resounding with songs of triumph for redeeming love; a state of bliss and happiness to which the church has never yet arrived.
5. God will be the everlasting light and glory of his faithful followers. And here the prophet seems to rise from the happy days of the church on earth to the consummation of her bliss in heaven, where they shall need neither sun nor moon, but shall enjoy the infinitely brighter presence of God, their everlasting light and glory. No clouds shall ever interrupt the blissful vision; no darkness of affliction, desertion, or temptation, for a moment intervene; but blessedness, abiding and eternal as the source from whence it flows, be the portion of these glorified saints. Thy sun shall no more go down, but shine with unclouded splendor through the ages of eternity; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself; never will there be the least diminution of their bliss; for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light; when this bright sun plucked from his sphere shall be extinguished, and this pale moon in darkness hide her head, with infinitely transcending brightness shall the eternal God shine on his saints, and everlasting as his being shall be their joy and glory. And the days of thy mourning shall be ended; a period put to all their sorrows, every tear wiped from their eye, and the cause of all, sin and suffering, be for ever banished from the place. O Lord, thy kingdom come!
6. They shall be perfected in holiness. Thy people also shall be all righteous, sanctified wholly by the Holy Spirit, in body, soul, and spirit, and made meet for the inheritance among the saints in light. They shall inherit the land for ever, the heavenly Canaan; the branch of my planting, ingrafted into Christ, and, after flourishing on earth, these faithful souls shall be transplanted with him to the paradise of God; the work of my hands, the whole of salvation, from beginning to end, will in heaven be evidently seen and acknowledged to be God’s own work, to the glory of his free and rich grace towards all that submit to his way of salvation; that I may be glorified, as he will then be, in and by all his saints.
7. They shall be an innumerable multitude. A little one shall become a thousand and a small one a strong nation: few and feeble as the saints of God have been comparatively in every age and place hitherto, when collected they will appear numerous and formidable, a host like the host of God. I the Lord will hasten it in his time; however difficult it may appear, or long as the final salvation of the faithful may seem to be delayed, the event is sure, and in God’s appointed season it shall be accomplished. May we with faith and patience wait for it!
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Isa 60:21 Thy people also [shall be] all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.
Ver. 21. Thy people also shall be all righteous. ] Professional saints at least they shall all be, – saints by calling; some of them also shall be really righteous and religious, justified by the merit, and sanctified by the Spirit of Christ. And these together make up a true visible Church, such as was that of Corinth and of Sardis. A mixture there will be to the world’s end.
They shall inherit the land for ever.
The branch of my planting.
The work of my hands.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Thy People . . . all righteous. fulfilment.
for ever. This settles the whole question as to any fulfilment in the past.
My planting. Hebrew text has “His planting”, but “My plantings” in the margin, with some codices, four early printed editions, Aramaean, Syriac, and Vulgate.
glorified = get Myself glory.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
people: Isa 4:3, Isa 4:4, Isa 51:2, Isa 62:4, Zec 14:20, Zec 14:21, 2Pe 3:13, Rev 21:27
inherit: Psa 37:11, Psa 37:22, Mat 5:5, Rev 5:10, Rev 21:7
the branch: Isa 29:23, Isa 43:7, Isa 45:11, Isa 61:3, Psa 92:13, Mat 15:13, Joh 15:2, Eph 2:10
that I: Isa 43:21, Isa 44:23, Isa 49:3, Eph 1:6, Eph 1:12, Eph 2:7, 2Th 1:10
Reciprocal: Psa 37:9 – inherit Psa 37:18 – their Pro 11:28 – but Son 4:13 – are Isa 1:26 – thou shalt Isa 4:2 – the branch Isa 26:2 – righteous Isa 26:15 – thou art Isa 32:16 – General Isa 33:5 – he hath Isa 35:2 – the glory Isa 35:8 – the unclean Isa 41:19 – plant Isa 46:13 – Israel Isa 51:16 – plant Isa 54:14 – righteousness Isa 55:13 – of the thorn Isa 62:12 – The holy Jer 2:21 – Yet I Jer 31:23 – As Eze 36:14 – no more Eze 37:25 – even they Eze 47:12 – by the river Amo 9:15 – they shall Oba 1:17 – there shall be holiness Zep 3:13 – not Joh 15:1 – husbandman Joh 15:8 – is Act 11:18 – and glorified Rom 16:15 – and all 2Co 5:5 – wrought Phi 1:11 – are
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Isa 60:21-22. Thy people shall be all righteous Through righteousness imputed to them, Rom 4:3-8; Rom 4:23-24; implanted in them, Eph 4:22-24; and practised by them, 1Jn 3:7; in other words, through the justification of their persons, the renovation of their nature, and their practical obedience to Gods law. It was proper, says Vitringa, that the prophetic discourse, big with such excellent promises, should set forth the quality of the citizens of this blessed city; for so many and excellent privileges cannot belong to any but to such as are fitted for these times by divine grace. The prophet therefore teaches that the inhabitants of this city should be all righteous; where there can be no doubt that the righteousness of faith is meant; of living faith, purifying the soul, sanctifying the affections, abounding in charity, and never separated from true holiness: so that they who are called righteous here are the same who are elsewhere called holy. See the following parallel passages, Isa 4:3; Isa 33:24; Isa 35:8; Isa 52:1; Zec 14:20-21. They shall inherit the land for ever They shall for ever be continued as Gods peculiar people; the branch of my planting Born again of my Spirit, created in the Messiah, unto good works, Eph 2:10; broken off from the wild olive, and grafted into the good olive; transplanted out of the field into the nursery; that, being now planted in Gods garden on earth, they might shortly be removed into his paradise in heaven; that I may be glorified By the good fruit which they bear. A little one shall become a thousand Rather, this should be rendered, A little number shall become a thousand. Though their beginning be very small and contemptible, and the members of the church very few, yet shall they greatly multiply, and increase into many hundreds of thousands and millions. Thus Daniel describes the kingdom of Christ as a stone, which, in process of time, becomes a great mountain, and fills the whole earth, which will be verified at the proper season, as it follows. I the Lord will hasten it in his time Namely, in due time, the time that I have appointed; as if he had said, Let not this be doubted, because I have undertaken it, to whom nothing is difficult. Indeed this has been already accomplished in a considerable degree by the great progress the gospel has made. Never were means more unlikely employed to effect any purpose, never was there a stronger opposition; yet the gospel prevailed, and multitudes of both sexes, in different countries, became obedient to the faith, and looked upon it as their greatest glory. Vitringa, who closes his comment on this chapter with some excellent remarks, tending to show that it particularly refers to some future glorious state of the church, which will take place after the conversion of the Jews, and the coming in of the fulness of the Gentiles, concludes with the following important observation: However, all our care and endeavour should be to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of so high a hope; and we should so form our lives and manners as rather to regard things present than future; neglecting no duty of a true citizen of the spiritual Jerusalem, whereof we now profess ourselves members; that the expectation of the future may not deprive us of those blessings and privileges which God offers at present to all those who seriously and sincerely seek them; in the mean time humbly and earnestly interceding with him that his kingdom may come.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
60:21 Thy people also [shall be] all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the {u} branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.
(u) The children of the Church.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
All the Israelites will be righteous, whereas formerly they had been unrighteous, in their standing and in their state. And they will possess the Promised Land forever, rather than having to leave it because of their sins (cf. Gen 17:8). Young wrote, "Inheritance of the land is a symbol of the future spiritual blessings that come to man through Christ." [Note: Young, 3:456.] If this is so, why did God give specific geographical boundaries for the Promised Land several times after Israel possessed the land partially? Israel would be the plant that God had nourished, and would now be healthy and thriving (cf. Isa 4:1; Isa 5:1-7; Isa 6:13; Isa 11:1; Isa 27:2-6; Isa 53:2; Joh 15:1-5). Her condition would glorify Him.